CQC report explained · a nursing home
What the CQC found at Hillcroft Nursing Home Morecambe
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors were assured about infection prevention and control, including visiting, testing, personal protective equipment, cleaning, social distancing and managing outbreaks.
- Effective?
- Good
- This was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
- Caring?
- Good
- This was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
- Responsive?
- Good
- This was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
- Well-led?
- Good
- This was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
What inspectors found, April 2021
Inspected but not rated; inspectors found strong infection control arrangements during the coronavirus pandemic.
This was an announced, targeted inspection on 19 March 2021. Inspectors checked how well the home was prepared to prevent and control infection during the coronavirus pandemic.
There were 47 people living in the home, which can accommodate up to 54 people. Inspectors found systems for safe visiting, testing, social distancing and the use of protective equipment.
The home was clean and had increased its cleaning. People living there and staff were supported with regular COVID-19 testing and vaccinations. The service was inspected but not rated, so this report is not a full quality rating of the home.
Visiting arrangements
The home had written to relatives about visiting changes and booking visits. It also offered window visits and tablet-based social contact.
“There were clear systems in place which helped ensure visitors understood and could follow best practice in relation to infection prevention and control (IPC).” from the report
Protective equipment
Protective equipment was available throughout the home and staff were seen wearing it. Areas were provided for putting it on and taking it off safely.
“Personal protective equipment, (PPE) was available throughout the home. Staff were observed wearing this.” from the report
Clean environment
Inspectors found the home clean, with enhanced cleaning procedures in place during the pandemic.
“The home was clean and had followed enhanced cleaning procedures in response to the pandemic.” from the report
Testing and vaccination
People living in the home were supported with regular COVID-19 tests and vaccinations. Staff were tested regularly and given information about vaccination.
“People living in the home had been supported to have regular Covid 19 tests and vaccinations.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01What infection prevention and control arrangements are in place now, and what has changed since the inspection in March 2021?
- 02How are visits currently booked, and what alternatives are available if a visit cannot take place?
- 03How are visitors, residents and staff tested for infections now?
- 04How are staff supported to use protective equipment and change clothes safely?
- 05How do you maintain enhanced cleaning and manage any infection outbreak?
This was an announced targeted inspection of infection prevention and control measures during the coronavirus pandemic; the service was inspected but not rated and the other care questions were not assessed. This explanation was written from the published report of 21 April 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, October 2017
Rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and responsive care, with effective management.
The inspection was unannounced and took place on 13 and 14 September 2017. Inspectors reviewed records, looked around the home, observed care and meals, and spoke with people, relatives, staff, managers and visiting health professionals.
Inspectors found suitable staffing, safe medicines management and appropriate checks on risks and the environment. Staff were trained and understood how to protect people from abuse. People received support with food, drinks and healthcare when needed.
People and relatives described staff as kind, respectful and responsive. Care plans were personalised and reviewed. The home had a complaints process and managers sought feedback and used audits to monitor quality.
The home was rated Good in all five areas: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. This was the same overall rating as at the previous inspection.
Safe staffing and medicines
Inspectors found enough staff with a suitable mix of skills. Medicines were ordered, stored, administered and recorded safely.
“We found staffing levels were suitable with an appropriate skill mix to meet the needs of people who lived at the home.” from the report
Kind and respectful care
People and relatives consistently praised staff. Inspectors saw staff protect privacy, listen carefully and treat people with compassion.
“We observed they demonstrated compassion towards people in their care and treated them with respect.” from the report
Personalised support
Care plans described people's needs and were kept under review. Staff knew people's likes, wishes and preferred routines.
“Five care plans we looked at were reflective of people's needs and had been regularly reviewed to ensure they were up to date.” from the report
Strong management oversight
The management team was visible and approachable. Regular audits, meetings and shared learning were used to maintain safety and quality.
“The management team had oversight of and acted to maintain the quality of the care provided.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How will you assess and record my relative's individual needs and preferences before they move in?
- 02How do you decide staffing levels and make sure the right skills are available on each unit?
- 03How will you manage and review my relative's medicines, including any changes prescribed by health professionals?
- 04What activities would be available for my relative, both individually and in groups?
- 05How would you keep me informed if my relative's health or care needs changed, and how would I raise a complaint?
This was an unannounced inspection covering the overall quality of the home and all five CQC questions; the report says the previous overall rating was Good. This explanation was written from the published report of 25 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 Hillcroft Nursing Home Morecambe
2 rated inspections over 3 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- April 2021Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
Read what inspectors found at Hillcroft Nursing Home Morecambe →
- October 2017Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
Read what inspectors found at Hillcroft Nursing Home Morecambe →
- February 2015GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Outstanding
- March 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- February 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- July 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- May 2011
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 11 May 2011.
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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85 live-in carers within about an hour of Lancashire
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. 78 can care for a couple. 11 years' experience on average.
“She understands the needs of an elderly person in the early stages of dementia and has treated my mother with great kindness and skill.”
“Thanks to Tracy, Dad was always immaculately dressed and clean, his meals were all home cooked and nutritionally well balanced and his home was always kept really clean and tidy.”
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.