CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Hanwell House
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
What inspectors found, September 2020
Targeted inspection found strong infection control measures; the service was inspected but not rated.
Inspectors visited the home on 6 August 2020. The visit was announced and focused only on infection prevention and control during the coronavirus pandemic.
Inspectors found good arrangements for visitors, including advance booking, health screening, temperature checks and face masks. They were assured that the home was using protective equipment safely, supporting social distancing and shielding, and managing admissions and testing.
The home had prepared early for lockdown. It had obtained large supplies of protective equipment, trained staff, used enhanced cleaning methods and arranged transport for staff who would otherwise use public transport.
Planned visiting
Visits were organised in advance so people could receive regular visits while reducing infection risks. Visitors were screened and wore face masks.
“Visits to people living at the home were booked in advance for two people from the same household every week.” from the report
Early preparation
The provider began planning for lockdown early and kept large supplies of protective equipment.
“The provider was very proactive in planning how their service would function during the lockdown.” from the report
Staff PPE training
Staff began training in the safe use of protective equipment before lockdown, with processes described as going beyond government guidance.
“Staff commenced training on the use of PPE when providing care from January 2020.” from the report
Staff transport
The provider bought a minibus to reduce staff reliance on public transport.
“The provider purchased a mini bus to collect staff so they did not have to rely on public transport.” from the report
Enhanced cleaning
The home used steam cleaners and other cleaning products daily across bedrooms, bathrooms, floors and furnishings.
“Steam cleaners had been purchased before the lockdown and they used them daily all over the home including floors, soft furnishing and carpets.” from the report
End-of-life visiting
A room near the fire exit was set aside to allow relatives to visit people at the end of their life while wearing full protective equipment.
“If a resident was at the end of their life, a room had been identified near the fire exit to enable relatives to come into the home and visit the resident using full PPE.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01Are visits still booked in advance, and what health screening and face-mask arrangements are now used?
- 02How are staff trained and checked in the safe use of protective equipment?
- 03How does the home currently provide testing for residents and staff?
- 04What arrangements are in place if there is an infection outbreak?
- 05How can relatives visit someone receiving end-of-life care, and what protective equipment is provided?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control only; the overall service and the other key questions were inspected but not rated. This explanation was written from the published report of 16 September 2020 by an AI system and checked against the report text: every quoted line appears in the report. It is a guide to the report, not a substitute for it. Read the full report on cqc.org.uk.
What inspectors found, December 2019
Hanwell House was rated Good overall; inspectors found kind, safe and personalised care, with some records and agency staffing to keep under review.
This was an unannounced planned inspection on 10 December 2019. Inspectors spoke with people living there, visitors, staff and a visiting professional. They observed care, checked six care records and five staff records, reviewed management records and medicines, and made a partial tour of the building.
All five areas were rated Good: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. People were described as happy and well cared for. Inspectors found kind staff, detailed personalised care plans, safe medicines management, freshly prepared food, activities and good links with health professionals.
The report also identified some points to watch. About half the staff came from an agency, which could mean they were less familiar with people's needs. Not all staff appraisals had been recorded, and inspectors said some improvements to medicines records would be useful. The provider sent further information after the inspection and updated records.
Kind and respectful care
People and visitors said staff were kind and caring. Inspectors saw staff treating people gently, respectfully and with attention to their individual needs.
“People were happy living at the service and felt well cared for.” from the report
Personalised care plans
Care plans gave staff clear information about risks, preferences, communication, eating and drinking, and how to support independence. They were reviewed when people's needs changed.
“These were personalised and gave clear information about how people's needs and preferences should be met.” from the report
Safe medicines and health support
Inspectors found medicines were stored, recorded and administered safely. The home worked with healthcare professionals to reduce sedative and behaviour-controlling medicines, which helped people be more active.
“Medicines were managed in a safe way, so people received their medicines as prescribed.” from the report
Activities and family involvement
People could take part in daily activities, entertainment and quieter individual pursuits. Families and friends were welcomed and invited to join activities and meals.
“There were visiting entertainers every day, including the weekends.” from the report
Heavy use of agency staff
needs fixingAround half the staff were supplied by an agency. Inspectors said this could mean some staff were less familiar with people's needs and the home's systems, although regular agency workers and permanent senior staff provided continuity.
“However, around 50% of the staff were sourced from a recruitment agency rather than being employed by the provider.” from the report
Some staff records were incomplete
minorStaff said they felt supported, but not all annual appraisals had been recorded. The manager said records would be improved so these meetings could be evidenced.
“Whilst the staff told us they felt supported, not all of these meetings had been recorded.” from the report
Medicines records needed improvement
minorInspectors identified that recording around medicines management could be improved. The manager updated the records immediately after the inspection and sought further feedback.
“During this inspection visit we commented where some improvements would be beneficial, such as recording around medicines management.” from the report
- 01How do you make sure agency staff understand each resident's care plan, risks and preferences before working with them?
- 02What proportion of the current staff team is agency staff, and how often do the same agency workers return?
- 03How are annual staff appraisals now recorded and followed up?
- 04What changes were made to medicines management records after the December 2019 inspection?
- 05How are people's activities and food choices matched to their individual interests and preferences?
This inspection covered all five CQC questions and included observations, discussions, records, medicines and a partial tour of the environment; all five ratings were current and unchanged from the 2017 inspection. This explanation was written from the published report of 25 December 2019 by an AI system and checked against the report text: every quoted line appears in the report. It is a guide to the report, not a substitute for it. Read the full report on cqc.org.uk.
Every inspection of Hanwell House
4 rated inspections over 4 years: the service has improved, from Requires improvement to Good.
- September 2020Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- December 2019Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- June 2017Goodup from Requires improvementSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- July 2016Requires improvementstayed Requires improvementSafe: Requires improvementEffective: Requires improvementCaring: Requires improvementResponsive: Requires improvementWell-led: Requires improvement
- November 2015Requires improvementSafe: InadequateEffective: Requires improvementCaring: Requires improvementResponsive: Requires improvementWell-led: Requires improvement
- September 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- October 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- January 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- February 2011
Report published without a new overall rating.
- December 2010
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 10 December 2010.
Ratings and report dates from the Care Quality Commission, Open Government Licence v3.0. A home can also be visited without a new rating being published, so the timeline shows published inspections.
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