CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Hillbrow Residential Care Home Limited
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
What inspectors found, December 2020
Inspected but not rated; inspectors found good infection control and support for people and visitors during the pandemic.
This was an announced, targeted inspection on 11 November 2020. It looked only at infection prevention and control measures because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Inspectors found systems to help prevent and manage infections. Staff had recent training, infection control practice was checked, and the home had an up-to-date policy and emergency plans.
The home used a separate visiting pod, screened visitors, and provided a separate room for relatives visiting people at the end of their lives. Staff also supported activities and contact with relatives during lockdown.
The service was inspected but not rated. This report does not give an overall quality rating or ratings for areas outside infection control.
Infection control
Staff had recent infection control training, their practice was checked, and the home had policies and emergency plans in place.
“The staff were following infection control procedures to help keep people safe.” from the report
Familiar staff
A small, established staff team knew the people living at the home well. No agency staff had been used since the beginning of the year.
“The home was supported by a long standing, small and loyal staff team who knew the people they supported very well.” from the report
Contact with relatives
The home bought tablets for online contact and arranged visits in a separate pod. Relatives visiting people at the end of their lives had a separate room with outside access.
“The service facilitated people to keep in touch with their relatives and friends.” from the report
Visiting arrangements
The visiting pod protected people and visitors from each other, and included a microphone for people who were hard of hearing. Visitors were screened for symptoms and had their temperature taken.
“Visiting took place in a completely self -contained pod which was accessed by patio doors from the garden.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01What infection control arrangements are in place now, and when were staff last checked or retrained?
- 02How are people currently able to visit or keep in touch with relatives?
- 03How many staff usually work at the home, and how often are agency staff used now?
- 04What activities are available for people who cannot join communal activities?
- 05What were the results of the home's most recent full inspection, covering areas not assessed in this report?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control measures only; the service was inspected but not rated and other areas were not assessed. This explanation was written from the published report of 4 December 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, October 2018
Hillbrow Residential Care Home Limited was rated Outstanding overall, with especially caring and personalised support.
This was an unannounced comprehensive inspection on 1 and 6 August 2018. Inspectors spoke with 12 people, 12 relatives and 10 staff. They observed care, reviewed care files, staff records, training records and other documents.
The home was rated Outstanding overall. It was rated Outstanding for Caring and Responsive, and Good for Safe, Effective and Well-led. Inspectors found kind, respectful care, strong relationships, safe medicines, suitable staffing and good staff training.
The Responsive rating improved from Good to Outstanding. The other four question ratings remained the same. The report describes an exceptionally personalised service with many activities, strong community links and support for people's wellbeing.
Kind and respectful care
Staff built strong relationships with people and treated them with dignity. Inspectors saw a warm, friendly atmosphere and staff who spent time talking with people.
“Staff were highly motivated to ensure people received care which was compassionate and kind.” from the report
Personalised support
Care was based on people's individual needs, preferences, histories, beliefs and communication styles. People were involved in their care plans and encouraged to remain independent.
“People received exceptionally personalised care and support specific to their needs and preferences.” from the report
Meaningful activities
The home offered varied activities linked to people's interests, including gardening, music, animals, crafts, themed cafes and community events. Inspectors found these activities supported wellbeing and a sense of purpose.
“Activities formed an extremely important part of people's lives and had a positive impact on their wellbeing.” from the report
Safe care
Risk assessments were reviewed, medicines were safely managed and staff had appropriate training. Inspectors also found suitable recruitment, staffing, fire safety and infection control arrangements.
“People received their medicines safely from staff who had received training to carry out this task.” from the report
Positive leadership
The management team set clear values and supported staff to improve their skills. Quality checks led to changes, and people and relatives could influence the service.
“They had established a service where staff were clear about the values and ethos of the service.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How do you make sure each person's care plan still reflects their current needs, preferences, history and communication style?
- 02What activities are currently available, and how do you adapt them for people who do not usually join in?
- 03How many staff are usually on duty for each shift, and how do you adjust staffing when people's needs change?
- 04Are any Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards applications currently awaiting assessment, and how are people's rights supported while they wait?
- 05How are residents and relatives currently involved in meetings, surveys, complaints and decisions about the home?
This was an unannounced comprehensive inspection covering all five questions, with premises and care both examined. This explanation was written from the published report of 9 October 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 Hillbrow Residential Care Home Limited
2 rated inspections over 3 years: the service has improved, from Good to Outstanding.
- December 2020Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
Read what inspectors found at Hillbrow Residential Care Home Limited →
- October 2018Outstandingup from GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: OutstandingResponsive: OutstandingWell-led: Good
Read what inspectors found at Hillbrow Residential Care Home Limited →
- February 2016GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: OutstandingResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- November 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- May 2013
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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17 live-in carers within about an hour of Devon
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 £1,020 to £1,270 a week. 15 can care for a couple. 13 years' experience on average.
“She is such a warm and gentle person while being professional and competent at the same time.”
“She looked after my mum, who can be incredibly challenging, so well and so gently, and we always felt confident that my mum was getting the best care available.”
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.