CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Hartley House Care Home
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors were assured that infection prevention and control measures were being followed. This included visitor checks, safe admissions, PPE, testing, cleaning and outbreak management.
- Effective?
- Good
- This area was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
- Caring?
- Good
- This area was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
- Responsive?
- Good
- This area was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
- Well-led?
- Good
- This area was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
What inspectors found, January 2021
Hartley House Care Home was inspected but not rated; inspectors found good infection-control arrangements.
This was an unannounced, targeted inspection on 22 December 2020. It looked only at infection prevention and control measures, as part of checks on care homes during coronavirus outbreaks.
Inspectors were assured that the home was managing visitors, admissions, testing, personal protective equipment, cleaning, social distancing and outbreaks appropriately. They also found up-to-date infection-control policies and staff training.
The home was inspected but not rated. This means the report gives no overall quality rating and does not assess all five areas of care.
Controlled visiting
Visitors had to book visits, complete checks at the entrance and use arrangements designed to reduce infection risks.
“Visiting was by appointment only and visitors did not come into the building. They reported to the front door for sign in and temperature checks then went around the outside of the building and straight to the person's room.” from the report
PPE supplies and use
Inspectors found enough PPE for current and expected demand. Staff were using it correctly and disposing of it safely.
“The service had enough personal protective equipment (PPE) to meet current and future demand.” from the report
Policies and staff training
The home had current infection-control policies, information for staff and COVID-19 training and testing arrangements.
“There were up to date infection prevention and control (IPC) policies and procedures, backed up by regular newsletters and there were posters around the home.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01What are the current visiting arrangements, and are visits still by appointment with infection checks?
- 02How are residents and staff tested now, and what happens if there is a suspected outbreak?
- 03How do you make sure PPE supplies remain sufficient and that staff use and dispose of it safely?
- 04Are agency staff still block booked so they do not work across different care settings?
- 05How are gifts and other items brought into the home currently checked before being given to residents?
This was an unannounced targeted inspection of infection prevention and control measures only; the service was inspected but not rated and the other care areas were not assessed. This explanation was written from the published report of 27 January 2021 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
Rated Good in all five areas; inspectors found safe, kind and personalised care.
This was an unannounced inspection on 13 November 2019. One inspector spoke with 12 people, five relatives, staff and managers. They reviewed five people's care records, medicines, training, recruitment, complaints and quality checks. They also observed care.
The inspectors found enough trained staff, safe medicines arrangements and suitable systems to protect people from abuse and avoidable harm. People received help with eating, drinking, healthcare, communication and personal care. The home supported people's choices and worked within the Mental Capacity Act.
People were treated with kindness, dignity and respect. Their care plans were personalised and reviewed. People were supported to keep in touch with family, enjoy activities and receive dignified end-of-life care, although no one was receiving end-of-life care during the visit.
The overall rating was Good, with Good ratings for Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. This was unchanged from the previous Good rating, published on 17 March 2017.
Safe medicines
Inspectors found that medicines were ordered, stored and given safely. Staff had guidance for variable-dose medicines and the manager carried out regular checks.
“We saw medicines being correctly administered so each person received the right medicine at the right time.” from the report
Kind and respectful care
People's dignity, privacy and independence were respected. Staff adapted communication and support to people's individual needs.
“People were supported and treated with dignity and respect; and involved as partners in their care.” from the report
Personalised support
Care plans were based on people's wishes and reviewed with them or their representatives. People could choose how and when they received support.
“Care plans were being regularly reviewed in consultation with each person and their representatives so they accurately reflected changing needs and wishes.” from the report
Activities and family contact
People were supported to keep in touch with family and take part in activities, both in groups and individually.
“There seems to be something going on most days. You don't have to join in if you don't want to of course.” from the report
Strong management checks
The home used audits, feedback and staff meetings to monitor quality and make improvements. Suggestions from people included changes to the menu.
“Quality checks had been completed by the registered manager so people reliably received safe care and treatment meeting their needs and expectations.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How will you communicate with my relative if they have dementia or special communication needs?
- 02How often will my relative's care plan be reviewed, and how will their family be involved?
- 03How do you make sure there are enough trained staff on every shift, including at night?
- 04How will you support my relative to choose meals, activities and personal care?
- 05How would you manage my relative's medicines and respond if something went wrong?
This was an unannounced inspection of the care home, including the premises and care provided, and all five CQC key questions were rated. This explanation was written from the published report of 3 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 Hartley House Care Home
3 rated inspections over 5 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- January 2021Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- December 2019Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- March 2017Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- March 2015GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- October 2014
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 31 October 2014.
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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39 live-in carers within about an hour of Kent
These are self-employed carers on PrimeCarers, the introductory agency that runs this directory. Each has a profile with their own rates and reviews from families, and you choose who to talk to.
Most charge £980 to £1,260 a week. 33 can care for a couple. 12 years' experience on average.
“Always on time and with a lovely smile for my mum. Theresa is kind and sensitive to my mum's needs.”
“Irene was a very kind and empathetic carer who knew just the right words to say to put a smile on my face.”
Every carer has had an enhanced DBS check in the last 18 months, ID and right-to-work checks and an online interview. Their skills and training are for you to check with them. Carers set their own rates, and who is free changes week to week.