CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Hill Lodge 2
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- People were protected from harm, risks were assessed and there were enough staff. Medicines were managed safely, but a communal bathroom needed repair because damaged enamel and mildew caused by a leak affected cleaning.
- Effective?
- Good
- Staff had suitable training and worked with healthcare professionals to support people's health. Staff knowledge about Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards needed strengthening, and health action plans were still being compiled.
- Caring?
- Good
- People described staff as kind and caring. Staff knew people well, respected privacy and dignity, and encouraged people to make choices and do things for themselves.
- Responsive?
- Outstanding
- Care was exceptionally personalised. The home supported communication, relationships, activities, independence and involvement in the local community in creative ways.
- Well-led?
- Good
- The managers were visible and approachable, staff understood their roles, and audits and feedback were used to improve the service. The home worked with families and other professionals.
What inspectors found, February 2020
Hill Lodge 2 was rated Good overall, with Outstanding responsive care, although some repairs and staff knowledge about liberty safeguards needed attention.
This was an unannounced inspection on 8 January 2020. One inspector and an Expert by Experience spoke with people, relatives and staff, and reviewed care plans, medicines records, staff files and management records.
The home was rated Good for Safe, Effective, Caring and Well-led. Inspectors found enough staff, safe medicines management, kind relationships, suitable healthcare support and person-centred leadership.
Responsive care was rated Outstanding. Inspectors found exceptional support for communication, independence, relationships, activities and involvement in the community. The home had helped people build skills and achieve personal goals.
Inspectors noted some building repairs were still needed. Staff knowledge about why some people were subject to liberty restrictions also needed strengthening. The overall rating remained Good, and the previous rating in 2017 was also Good.
Exceptional personalised support
Staff worked with people and their families to set personal goals and develop skills. One person moved on to a more independent home after achieving their goals.
“Care plans were person-centred and were regularly reviewed to set out clear objectives for staff in order for people to reach their desired outcomes.” from the report
Communication and inclusion
People were supported to use communication aids and to take part in community activities. The Makaton group helped people communicate more confidently and become active in the local community.
“The video went viral with an extensive number of hits on You Tube and had been a major contributing factor to creating social inclusion for people living at Hill Lodge” from the report
Kind and respectful staff
Inspectors saw warm interactions. Staff respected people's privacy, asked permission and encouraged independence.
“I ask people what they want and encourage them to do things for themselves.” from the report
Safe medicines and staffing
There were enough staff to meet people's needs, and medicines records matched the stock checks. People were supported to manage their own medicines where possible.
“Medication stock checks were accurate and corresponded with medication administration records.” from the report
Communal bathroom repair
needs fixingThe bath enamel was coming away and mildew had built up on a tap because of a leak. Inspectors said this compromised cleaning and posed a risk to people using the bath.
“This compromised cleaning and therefore posed a risk to people using the bath.” from the report
Building condition
minorParts of the home appeared tired and worn. A lounge ceiling had leaked and work was still in progress, so families should ask what has now been completed.
“The home needed some repair and redecoration as parts of the building appeared tired and worn.” from the report
Liberty safeguards knowledge
needs fixingStaff understood the Mental Capacity Act but their knowledge of the liberty safeguards process needed strengthening. Further training was arranged after the inspection.
“Staff we spoke with had basic knowledge about the DoLS process, but this needed strengthening to ensure staff were aware why people were being deprived of their liberty.” from the report
- 01Has the communal bathroom been repaired, including the damaged bath enamel and leaking tap?
- 02Has the leaking lounge ceiling been repaired and has the planned redecoration been completed?
- 03Has all staff training about Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards been completed, and how is their understanding checked?
- 04Have health action plans now been completed for everyone living in the home?
- 05How are people supported to continue building independence and taking part in community activities?
This was an unannounced inspection covering all five CQC questions, including the premises and the care provided. This explanation was written from the published report of 28 February 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, July 2017
Rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and personalised care, with all five areas rated Good.
This was an unannounced comprehensive inspection on 19 June 2017. The inspector spoke with five people living at the home, four staff members, the registered manager and commissioners. They also checked three care records and records about how the home was managed.
The inspectors found that people were protected from abuse, risks were assessed and there were enough staff. Medicines were managed safely. People were supported to make choices, maintain relationships, attend college or work, take part in activities and raise complaints.
The home was rated Good overall and Good in Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. It had also been rated Good at the previous inspection on 19 October 2015, so the report says it remained Good.
Enough staff
People told inspectors that staff were available when they needed help, including support to go out or do activities.
“People were supported by enough staff to ensure they received care and support when they needed it.” from the report
People's choices
People were supported to make decisions about their routines, clothes, activities and who they spent time with.
“People were supported to make decisions about their care, their day to day routines and preferences.” from the report
Kind and respectful care
Inspectors found that staff knew people well and respected their privacy, dignity and personal relationships.
“People were treated with kindness and the staff knew each person, their personal histories and their interests well.” from the report
Personalised support
People helped develop their support plans, which included information about what mattered to them and used photographs to make plans clearer.
“The staff helped people to develop their plans and we saw these included information about what was important to them and included photographs of people, places and events.” from the report
Activities and community links
People could take part in work, college, voluntary work, day services, hobbies and activities with friends.
“There were links with the community and local businesses and people could choose to attend day service provision, college or completed voluntary work.” from the report
Quality checks
The provider and manager checked areas such as care plans, medicines, health and safety and records. The report says action was taken when improvements were identified.
“Quality assurance systems were in place to help drive improvements.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How will staffing shared with Hill Lodge 1 affect the support my relative receives at this home?
- 02What support would my relative receive if their health needs or behaviour changed?
- 03How would you help my relative manage their own medicines, and what checks would be made?
- 04How would my relative be involved in writing and reviewing their support plan?
- 05Which work, college, community and leisure activities could my relative take part in?
This was an unannounced comprehensive inspection covering all five areas, and each area was rated Good. This explanation was written from the published report of 29 July 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 Hill Lodge 2
3 rated inspections over 4 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- February 2020Goodcurrent ratingstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: OutstandingWell-led: Good
- July 2017Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- November 2015GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- September 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- October 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- August 2011
Report published without a new overall rating.
- May 2011
Report published without a new overall rating.
- December 2010
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 9 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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At least 100 live-in carers within about an hour of Staffordshire
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 £1,230 a week. 85 can care for a couple. 10 years' experience on average.
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