CQC report explained · a nursing home
What the CQC found at Hillside Lodge
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- People generally felt safe. Inspectors found suitable recruitment checks, risk assessments, safe medicine practices and a clean, well-maintained environment, although some people and staff said staffing was sometimes stretched.
- Effective?
- Good
- Staff had training, supervision and competency checks. People had access to healthcare professionals, suitable food choices and support that took account of their communication and legal rights.
- Caring?
- Good
- Staff were observed treating people with kindness, patience and respect. However, some staff did not always acknowledge people, look at them or check whether they were well when passing.
- Responsive?
- Good
- Care was personalised and reflected people's wishes, communication needs and backgrounds. Activities and complaints processes were available, but care plans contained repeated information and were difficult to navigate.
- Well-led?
- Good
- The home had an approachable management team and systems to monitor quality and safety. The previous Requires Improvement rating in this area had improved to Good.
What inspectors found, March 2018
Rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and personalised care, but staffing and care plan paperwork were not always ideal.
Inspectors carried out an unannounced, comprehensive inspection over three days in February 2018. They spoke with people living in the home, relatives and healthcare professionals. They also observed care, checked the building, and reviewed care, medicine and management records.
The home was rated Good in all five areas: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. People generally felt safe and said staff were kind, respectful and responsive. Inspectors found suitable staff training, safe medicines practice, person-centred care plans, access to healthcare and a clean environment.
There were some areas to keep under review. Some people and staff said staffing could feel stretched, especially at certain times. Care plans were repetitive and difficult to navigate, and some staff did not always acknowledge people when passing them. The home had improved its management and record systems since the previous inspection.
People felt safe
People, relatives and professionals generally said people were safe. Inspectors also observed people looking comfortable and relaxed with staff.
“People commented; "I feel 100% safe here" and "Yes, I do feel safe here" also "Of course, I feel so safe.” from the report
Kind and respectful care
Staff built positive relationships with people and were observed giving reassurance, showing patience and respecting privacy and dignity.
“People were supported by staff who were both kind and caring and we observed staff treated people with patience and kindness.” from the report
Safe medicines and risk support
Staff were trained to give medicines safely. Risks such as falls and skin damage were assessed, with guidance for staff to reduce those risks.
“People received their medicines safely from staff who had completed appropriate medicine training.” from the report
Improved management
The home had improved its leadership and record-monitoring systems since the previous inspection. Audits and other checks were used to identify improvements.
“We also found the new registered manager and provider had monitoring systems in place which enabled them to identify good practices and areas of improvement.” from the report
Staffing could feel stretched
needs fixingSome people and staff said staffing levels were not always enough, particularly at certain times. Management said sickness had caused some shortages and that staffing was being monitored.
“Numbers of staff during the day are OK, but in the evenings it is a bit light” from the report
Care plans were hard to use
needs fixingCare plans contained repeated information in different places. This could make it harder for staff to find the information they need quickly, although the format was being reviewed.
“However care plans held repetitive information and were often difficult to navigate.” from the report
Not every interaction was attentive
minorSome staff did not always acknowledge people, make eye contact or check how they were when passing. Management said this would be raised with staff.
“However on our observations we noted not all staff took the time to acknowledge people when walking pass them, did not look at them or ask if all was fine with them.” from the report
- 01How do you check that staffing levels are sufficient during evenings and when staff are off sick?
- 02What changes are being made to reduce repeated information in care plans?
- 03How do you check that staff acknowledge and speak to people when passing them?
- 04How are relatives involved in reviewing care plans when a person's needs change?
- 05What activities are available for people who do not want to attend group activities?
This was an unannounced comprehensive inspection covering all five CQC questions, including care, the premises and how the home was managed. This explanation was written from the published report of 30 March 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 Hillside Lodge
2 rated inspections over 2 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- March 2018Goodcurrent ratingstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- January 2016GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Requires improvement
- September 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- September 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- September 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- January 2011
Report published without a new overall rating.
- December 2010
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 17 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.
Weigh the report against the rest
Fees, photos and reviews from families
How to read CQC ratings and reports
What to check when you visit
28 live-in carers within about an hour of West Sussex
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 £1,170 a week. 23 can care for a couple. 11 years' experience on average.
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.