CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Hatfield Lodge
Rated Requires improvement: inspectors found the home was not performing as well as it should and told it what to change.
What inspectors found, October 2017
Hatfield Lodge was rated Good in all five areas; inspectors found safe, kind and personalised care with activities and effective oversight.
The inspection was unannounced and took place on 5 October 2017. One inspector spoke with people, relatives, staff and managers. They reviewed care plans, risk assessments, staff files, medicines records, rotas and quality checks.
The home supported 29 older people, some living with dementia, in a service with space for up to 34 people. Inspectors found enough suitably checked staff, safe medicines arrangements, detailed care plans and support that reflected people's choices and needs.
People were described as safe and well cared for. Staff were kind, respectful and knew people well. People had meals, healthcare support and activities suited to them. The manager and provider were approachable, sought feedback and acted on issues.
The home was rated Good for Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. This means inspectors found the service meeting the expected standard in each area at the time of this inspection.
Safe staffing and recruitment
Inspectors found enough staff to meet people's needs and keep them safe. Recruitment checks were completed before staff worked independently.
“People were supported by staff who had been recruited safely.” from the report
Kind and respectful support
Staff knew people well and adapted their communication. Inspectors saw relaxed, affectionate interactions and support that respected privacy and dignity.
“Staff knew people at the service well and they tailored their interactions to each person.” from the report
Activities and relationships
People took part in activities such as skittles, quizzes, music and sensory sessions. Visitors could come at any time and were welcomed.
“People could participate in a range of activities.” from the report
Oversight and improvement
The home used audits, meetings and surveys to monitor care and gather views. Actions were recorded when shortfalls were found.
“Regular audits were undertaken to monitor the service and there was a focus on continual improvement.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How do you make sure there are enough staff when people are off sick or on holiday?
- 02How will you support my relative to take medicines in the way they prefer?
- 03How do you review care plans when a person's needs or health changes?
- 04What activities are available for someone living with dementia, and how do you respect a person's choice not to join in?
- 05How can relatives raise concerns, and how will we be told what action has been taken?
This was an unannounced inspection of the overall service covering all five CQC questions; it was the first inspection since a change of registration for the provider in October 2016. This explanation was written from the published report of 26 October 2017 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 Hatfield Lodge
Each visit the CQC has published, newest first, back to the day the home was registered.
- October 2017Goodcurrent ratingSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- October 2016
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 31 October 2016.
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.