CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Hepdene House
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors were assured that infection risks were managed, including visitors, admissions, testing, protective equipment, hygiene and outbreaks.
- Effective?
- Good
- This area was not rated in this targeted inspection.
- Caring?
- Outstanding
- This area was not rated in this targeted inspection.
- Responsive?
- Good
- This area was not rated in this targeted inspection.
- Well-led?
- Good
- This area was not rated in this targeted inspection.
What inspectors found, March 2021
Inspected but not rated; inspectors found strong infection control arrangements during the COVID-19 pandemic.
This was an announced, targeted inspection on 3 March 2021. It looked at how the home prevented and controlled infection during the coronavirus pandemic.
Inspectors found the home was clean and well ventilated. They were assured that visitors, admissions, testing, shielding, social distancing and personal protective equipment were managed safely.
People and staff were tested regularly and had been offered the first COVID-19 vaccination. Staff had infection control training, and the provider kept its policies and guidance up to date.
The inspection did not give an overall quality rating. Safe was recorded as inspected but not rated, and the report does not rate the other four areas.
Clean environment
The home was clean and well ventilated, with an enclosed garden that people could use.
“The home was clean and well ventilated. There was a large enclosed garden which people could access.” from the report
Protective equipment and testing
There were enough supplies of protective equipment, which staff were seen using correctly. People and staff were tested regularly.
“There were ample supplies of PPE which we observed staff wearing appropriately.” from the report
Staff training and guidance
Staff had infection control training, and the provider kept staff informed about current government guidance.
“Staff had completed infection prevention and control training including the correct use of PPE.” from the report
Keeping people connected
People were supported to take part in activities, go out safely and stay in contact with family and friends.
“Staff supported people to keep in touch with family and friends and the provider was making arrangements to introduce internal visits in accordance with government guidance.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01What infection prevention and control arrangements are in place now?
- 02How are people and staff tested, and what happens if someone tests positive?
- 03How is personal protective equipment supplied and checked now?
- 04What visiting arrangements are currently available for family members?
- 05How are people supported to go out safely and keep in touch with family and friends?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control during the coronavirus pandemic; it did not rate the other four key questions. This explanation was written from the published report of 13 March 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, February 2018
Rated Good overall, with Outstanding caring; inspectors found safe, person-centred care, but three safeguarding incidents had not been notified to CQC.
The inspection was unannounced on 28 November 2017 and announced on 6 December 2017. One inspector spoke with all eight people living at the home, relatives and staff. They observed care, reviewed care records, medicines, staff files and training records, and looked around the building.
The home was rated Good overall. Safe, Effective, Responsive and Well-led were all rated Good. Caring improved from Good at the previous inspection to Outstanding. Inspectors found enough flexible staff, safe medicines, suitable training, good care planning and effective quality checks.
Inspectors saw staff supporting people to make choices, stay independent and take part in activities they enjoyed. They found very kind and skilled communication. However, three incidents referred to the local authority safeguarding team had not been notified to CQC at the time. These notifications were sent retrospectively after the inspection.
Outstanding caring
Staff built strong relationships and helped people communicate their wishes. They supported people to live more independently and achieve goals such as holidays and community activities.
“People were supported by exceptional staff who collectively and individually did all they could to make people's lives as good as possible.” from the report
Safe medicines
Medicines were managed through safe ordering, storage, administration and recording. The records reviewed had no gaps, and staff had been trained and assessed as competent.
“Medicine administration records (MARs) were well completed with no gaps.” from the report
Flexible staffing
Staffing levels were adjusted to people's needs and to support them to live active lives. Recruitment checks were completed before staff started work.
“Staffing levels were sufficient and flexible to meet people's needs.” from the report
Active lives
People were supported to follow their own interests at home and in the community, including swimming, horse-riding, cinema visits, football matches and group activities.
“People were supported to lead fulfilling and active lives at home and in the community based around individual interests and hobbies.” from the report
Good management checks
The home used audits and surveys to monitor the service. Inspectors found that action was taken where audits identified improvements.
“Effective systems were in place to assess, monitor and improve the service.” from the report
Late safeguarding notifications
needs fixingThree incidents referred to the local authority safeguarding team had not been notified to CQC. The home sent the notifications retrospectively after the inspection.
“However, we found three incidents which had been referred to the local authority safeguarding team which had not been notified.” from the report
- 01How do you now make sure every safeguarding incident is notified to CQC and other relevant bodies on time?
- 02How would you support my relative to communicate choices, feelings and concerns if they do not communicate verbally?
- 03How would you maintain my relative's independence while managing risks in activities and outings?
- 04How do you match staffing levels to people's needs, especially when people want to go out or take part in activities?
- 05How are medicines checked, and how do you respond if a medicines record is incomplete?
This inspection covered all five key questions and reviewed the care of all eight people living at the home; the first visit was unannounced and the second was announced. This explanation was written from the published report of 1 February 2018 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 Hepdene House
2 rated inspections over 2 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- March 2021Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- February 2018Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: OutstandingResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- December 2015GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- June 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- November 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- October 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- December 2011
Report published without a new overall rating.
- December 2010
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 20 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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What to check when you visit
At least 100 live-in carers within about an hour of Calderdale
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. 87 can care for a couple. 12 years' experience on average.
“Primrose is a very kind and compassionate healthcare professional”
“Carla has been a god send with the implementation of bringing mum back home from respite care.”
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.