CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Holly House Care Home
Rated Outstanding: inspectors found the home performing exceptionally well.
What inspectors found, October 2022
Rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and personalised care, with only minor points about meal choices and dining areas.
This was the home's first inspection since it registered in September 2021. It was unannounced and took place on 20 September 2022. Inspectors spoke with people living there, relatives, staff and outside health and social care professionals. They also observed care and checked care, medicine, staff and management records.
Inspectors found that people felt safe, relaxed and well cared for. There were enough staff, medicines were managed safely, and risks were assessed and reviewed. Staff knew people well and provided warm, respectful and personalised care. Activities were varied, and staff worked well with health professionals and relatives.
The home was rated Good in all five areas: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. This means the inspectors found consistently good care and management at the time of this inspection. There were no previous ratings to compare because this was the first inspection.
Consistent staffing
There were enough staff to meet people's needs promptly. The home did not rely on agency staff, helping people to know the staff supporting them.
“There were sufficient staff to meet people's needs promptly and safely.” from the report
Personalised care
Staff knew people well and care plans included information about their preferences, routines and what a good or bad day looked like.
“Care plans were detailed and person-centred. They contained information about what a good and bad day would look like” from the report
Kind and respectful staff
People were treated with warmth, dignity and respect. Staff involved people in everyday decisions and helped the home feel welcoming.
“People felt at home, relaxed and well cared for.” from the report
Strong oversight
The manager and senior staff used audits covering medicines, care plans and health and safety. Inspectors found the governance systems effective.
“Auditing and governance systems were well planned, well delegated and effective.” from the report
Good partnership working
The home worked proactively with health and social care professionals to respond to changing needs and support people's wellbeing.
“Staff communicated well with each other and external healthcare professionals to ensure people experienced good health and wellbeing outcomes.” from the report
Flexibility over meals
minorSome people said they chose meals the day before and felt unable to change their mind. The manager said staff and people would be reminded that choices could be changed.
“People chose their meal the day before and some told us that they felt they were unable to change their mind.” from the report
Dining area improvements
minorInspectors said the dining spaces could feel more welcoming. The manager had an ongoing refurbishment plan.
“Communal areas had some themed wall art, but more could be done to make dining spaces more welcoming.” from the report
- 01How will you make sure residents can change their meal choice on the day if they change their mind?
- 02What improvements are planned for the dining spaces, and when will they be completed?
- 03How would you support my relative if their health needs or behaviour changed?
- 04How are relatives involved in care reviews and decisions about changing care?
- 05What activities would be suitable for my relative's interests, abilities and communication needs?
This was an unannounced first inspection covering all five CQC areas, including infection prevention and control; there were no previous ratings to carry over. This explanation was written from the published report of 21 October 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.
Every inspection of Holly House Care Home
Each visit the CQC has published, newest first, back to the day the home was registered.
- October 2022Goodcurrent ratingSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- September 2021
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 7 September 2021.
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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46 live-in carers within about an hour of Sunderland
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 £950 to £1,210 a week. 42 can care for a couple. 10 years' experience on average.
“Petty introduced herself to Mum every time she was caring for her and responded very quickly to Mum if she was distressed in the night.”
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.