CQC report explained · a nursing home
What the CQC found at Hillcroft Nursing Home Slyne
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors were assured about infection prevention and control, including PPE, testing, visiting, admissions, cleaning and managing outbreaks. The provider also said it had measures to reduce the risks from COVID-19-related staffing pressures.
- Effective?
- Good
- This area was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
- Caring?
- Good
- This area was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
- Responsive?
- Good
- This area was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
- Well-led?
- Good
- This area was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
What inspectors found, February 2022
Inspected but not rated; inspectors were assured about infection control, visiting arrangements and COVID-19 safety measures.
This was an announced, targeted inspection on 25 January 2022. It looked at infection prevention and control, visiting arrangements and whether COVID-19 staffing pressures affected the home.
Inspectors were assured that the home was managing visitors, admissions, testing, PPE, social distancing and possible outbreaks safely. They also found that non-exempt staff and visiting professionals were vaccinated as required at the time.
The home was clean and hygienic, with cleaning schedules and PPE stations. The service was inspected but not rated, so this report does not give an overall quality rating or ratings for the other four areas.
Infection control
Inspectors found that the home had arrangements to prevent and manage infections, including COVID-19.
“We were assured that the provider was making sure infection outbreaks can be effectively prevented or managed.” from the report
Safe use of PPE
Staff were observed using PPE safely, and inspectors confirmed that sufficient supplies were available.
“During our visit we observed the staff using Personal Protective Equipment, (PPE) safely.” from the report
Clean environment
The home was clean and hygienic, with cleaning schedules and PPE stations in place.
“The home was clean and hygienic. Cleaning schedules were in place and PPE stations placed around the home in individual rooms.” from the report
Contact with relatives
The home used phones and computer systems to help people keep in touch with relatives during the pandemic.
“Social media systems such as mobile phones and computer systems were used to facilitate contact between people and their relatives.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01What are the current visiting arrangements, and how would visits be managed during an infection outbreak?
- 02How are current staffing pressures affecting the people living in the home?
- 03How often are residents and staff tested for COVID-19 now?
- 04How do you check that staff and visiting professionals are following current infection control and PPE procedures?
- 05How often are communal areas and residents' rooms cleaned, and how is this recorded?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control, visiting arrangements and COVID-19-related staffing pressures; it did not rate the service overall or assess the other four areas. This explanation was written from the published report of 8 February 2022 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, May 2018
Rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and personalised care, with improvements made after earlier medicines concerns.
Inspectors visited on 16 and 17 April 2018. The first day was unannounced. They spoke with relatives, staff, managers and a health professional. They observed care, medicines and mealtimes, checked records and looked around the home.
The home supported 46 people, including people with dementia, complex behaviour and general nursing needs. Inspectors found medicines were managed safely, care plans were up to date, staffing was sufficient during the visit, and the home was clean and maintained.
People were treated with kindness and respect. Staff supported personal choices, activities, meals and end of life care. The home had systems for complaints, incidents and quality checks. All five areas were rated Good.
Safe medicines
Inspectors observed medicines being given carefully and found no missed signatures on medicine or topical cream records.
“We did not find any missed signatures within medicine and topical cream recording charts which indicated people had received appropriate treatment” from the report
Kind and respectful care
Inspectors observed positive interactions and found that staff protected people's dignity and privacy.
“We observed only positive interactions between staff and people who lived at Hillcroft Slyne Nursing Home.” from the report
Good management checks
The management team used audits, meetings and daily checks to monitor the home and learn from incidents.
“The management team used a variety of methods to assess and monitor the quality of the service.” from the report
Weekend agency staff
minorOne relative was concerned about agency staff being used at weekends. Staff said agency workers were not left alone and worked alongside contracted staff because they might not know people's routines.
“One relative raised concerns that agency staff were used at weekends.” from the report
Activities may not suit everyone
minorActivities took place regularly, but one relative did not know what activities were available and said their relative could not join in. Ask how activities are adapted for people with more complex needs.
“I do not know of any activities. My [relative] could not join in anyway.” from the report
- 01How are agency staff used at weekends, and are they always paired with staff who know residents' routines?
- 02What activities are available for people who cannot join group activities or communicate easily?
- 03How will you make sure my relative's care plan is updated when their needs or preferences change?
- 04How are medicines and topical creams checked now that earlier recording problems have been addressed?
- 05How would you support my relative's choices and preferences about end of life care?
This was a comprehensive inspection covering all five key questions, including care, medicines, records, staffing and the home environment. This explanation was written from the published report of 22 May 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 Hillcroft Nursing Home Slyne
3 rated inspections over 3 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- February 2022Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
Read what inspectors found at Hillcroft Nursing Home Slyne →
- May 2018Goodup from Requires improvementSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
Read what inspectors found at Hillcroft Nursing Home Slyne →
- June 2017Requires improvementdown from GoodSafe: Requires improvementEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Requires improvement
- January 2015GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- April 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- October 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- January 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- January 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- July 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- August 2011
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.