CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Hillcroft Residential Care Home
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- People were protected from abuse and avoidable harm, with enough staff, suitable risk assessments and regular checks. Inspectors identified concerns about bedroom doors, bed rail assessments and medicine storage, and the home acted on these during the inspection.
- Effective?
- Good
- Staff had suitable training and experience, and people's needs, dietary requirements and healthcare needs were supported. Care was delivered in line with guidance, and the home followed the Mental Capacity Act principles.
- Caring?
- Good
- This question was not inspected during this focused visit. Its previous rating was not stated in the report.
- Responsive?
- Good
- This question was not inspected during this focused visit. Its previous rating was not stated in the report.
- Well-led?
- Good
- Inspectors found a positive culture, regular audits and managers who understood their responsibilities. People, relatives and staff were asked for feedback, and the manager responded to concerns.
What inspectors found, November 2023
Rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind care, but identified improvements needed in fire safety and medicine storage.
This was an unannounced focused inspection on 8 and 9 November 2023. Inspectors spoke with 9 people, 14 relatives and 10 staff. They reviewed care plans, medicine records, health and safety records, staff rotas, audits, policies and recruitment files.
The home was rated Good overall. Safe, Effective and Well-led were all rated Good. People were supported by enough staff, staff knew them well, and people and relatives spoke positively about the care. The home was clean and comfortable, and staff were trained and supported.
Inspectors found some issues that were dealt with during the inspection. Bedroom doors automatically locked when closed, which could create a fire risk. Some creams did not have opening dates recorded, and drink thickener needed more secure storage. Inspectors made recommendations about fire safety and medicine storage.
Enough, familiar staff
Inspectors found enough staff to meet people's needs, with low use of agency staff. Staff knew people well and had passed appropriate recruitment checks.
“People were supported by enough staff to meet their needs, and staff knew people well.” from the report
Trained staff
Staff completed induction and relevant training. They received regular supervision and relatives felt staff had the skills to meet people's needs.
“People were supported by well-trained staff who had the right knowledge, skills and experience.” from the report
Positive relationships
People and relatives spoke highly of staff. Inspectors also saw staff encouraging people to join in with music, singing and dancing.
“We found a positive culture at the service. People were supported by staff that enjoyed their jobs and spoke highly of the management and working environment.” from the report
Good care planning
Care plans included detailed information about people's needs, choices and preferences. Staff could access the plans and record care electronically.
“Staff completed person centred care plans that included detailed information about people's needs, choices and preferences.” from the report
Food and healthcare support
People had different meal choices, fresh fruit and vegetables, and support with dietary needs. Staff worked with health professionals and helped people attend appointments.
“There was good availability of fresh fruit and vegetables and different meal options.” from the report
Bedroom door fire risk
needs fixingAll bedroom doors automatically locked when they closed, so staff needed a key to open them. The fire and rescue service said this could be a fire risk, and inspectors recommended improving the arrangements.
“We recommend the provider consider ways to improve fire safety regarding bedroom doors.” from the report
Medicine storage records
minorSome topical creams were kept in people's rooms without the date of opening recorded. Drink thickener also needed to be stored securely. The home addressed these points during the inspection.
“Most medicines were stored securely however we found that topical creams were left in people's rooms.” from the report
Bed rail assessments
needs fixingRecent risk assessments had not been completed for three people using bed rails. This was actioned after inspectors raised it, and weekly safety checks were already taking place.
“Recent risk assessments for bed rails had not been conducted for the 3 people that had them.” from the report
- 01What changes have been made to the bedroom doors following the fire safety recommendation?
- 02How are topical creams dated and stored now?
- 03How is drink thickener kept secure when it is being used?
- 04How do you make sure every person using bed rails has a current risk assessment?
- 05Which ratings were carried over because Caring and Responsive were not inspected during this visit?
This was a focused inspection of Safe, Effective and Well-led only; Caring and Responsive were not inspected, and the overall rating used the available previous ratings alongside this inspection. This explanation was written from the published report of 24 November 2023 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, December 2019
Rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and person-centred care, with improvements in management since the last inspection.
This was an unannounced inspection on 17 October 2019. Inspectors checked information held about the home, spoke with six people living there, five relatives and five staff, observed care and reviewed care, medicines, staff and management records.
The home was rated Good in all five areas: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. Inspectors found enough staff, safe medicines management, good training, personalised care, respectful support and a wide range of activities.
A few minor issues were found during the visit, including a sensor mat creating a possible trip hazard and a commode needing cleaning. The manager dealt with these immediately. The home had previously been rated Requires Improvement for Well-led, but inspectors found that care planning, policies and procedures had improved.
Kind and respectful care
Inspectors saw warm interactions and found that people were treated with dignity. Staff supported people to express their wishes and make daily choices.
“People received good care from a kind and caring staff team.” from the report
Personalised care records
Care files described people's lives, interests, preferences and needs in detail. Inspectors found that care plans were regularly reviewed and gave staff clear guidance.
“Exceptionally detailed care plans and risk assessments were in place, which were completely person centred” from the report
Activities and social life
People could take part in activities at home and in the local community. The programme included trips, music, quizzes, bingo and opportunities linked to individual ambitions.
“A varied programme of activities was arranged, which people told us they enjoyed.” from the report
Improved leadership
The home had regular audits, staff monitoring and meetings with people, relatives and staff. Inspectors found improvements in care planning and policies since the previous inspection.
“The provider had a range of regular audits in place which ensured the quality of service was effectively assessed and monitored.” from the report
Clean and accessible environment
Inspectors found the home clean and hygienic, with spacious areas and garden features designed to support safe access and enjoyment.
“The entire outdoor area was maintained to an exceptionally high standard and showcased a delightful; yet safe space for people to enjoy.” from the report
Minor environmental issues
minorInspectors found a sensor mat on the floor that could have caused a trip and a commode that needed cleaning. The manager dealt with both observations immediately.
“a sensor mat was on the floor outside a bedroom door, which created a potential trip hazard” from the report
- 01How do you check that each person's detailed care plan remains up to date when their needs or preferences change?
- 02How are medicines checked and monitored, and what happens if a medicines error or missed dose occurs?
- 03How do you make sure there are enough staff on duty at all times, including during busy periods?
- 04Which activities and outings would be suitable for my relative's interests, abilities and communication needs?
- 05How can relatives take part in care reviews, meetings and decisions about their family member?
This was an unannounced scheduled inspection covering all five CQC questions, including the premises and care provided; the previous overall rating was Good, with Well-led previously Requires Improvement. This explanation was written from the published report of 10 December 2019 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 Residential Care Home
4 rated inspections over 9 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- November 2023Goodcurrent ratingstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
Read what inspectors found at Hillcroft Residential Care Home →
- December 2019Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodWell-led: Good
Read what inspectors found at Hillcroft Residential Care Home →
- April 2017Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Requires improvement
- March 2015GoodSafe: Requires improvementEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- October 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- January 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- March 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- January 2011
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 20 January 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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Most charge £980 to £1,260 a week. 78 can care for a couple. 11 years' experience on average.
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