CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at The Hamiltons Care Home
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
What inspectors found, November 2020
The Hamiltons Care Home was inspected but not rated; inspectors were assured that infection prevention and control arrangements were safe.
This was an announced, targeted inspection on 06 November 2020. It was carried out because of the COVID-19 pandemic and looked only at infection prevention and control.
Inspectors found the home clean and well maintained. Staff followed cleaning schedules, used personal protective equipment safely, washed and sanitised their hands, and had recent infection control training.
Inspectors were assured about testing, admissions, shielding, social distancing, visiting arrangements, outbreak management and the infection control policy. The service was inspected but not rated, so this report does not give an overall quality rating.
Clean surroundings
The premises were clean and well maintained. Staff used cleaning schedules that included frequently touched areas.
“The premises were clean and well-maintained. Staff followed cleaning schedules to ensure all areas of the home were regularly cleaned” from the report
Safe use of PPE
Staff had recent infection control training and were seen changing PPE when appropriate.
“Staff had received recent training in infection prevention and control, including how to put on and take off their personal protective equipment (PPE) in a safe way.” from the report
Infection control checks
Inspectors were assured that testing was being carried out where possible and that the home had arrangements to prevent and manage outbreaks.
“We were assured that the provider was making sure infection outbreaks can be effectively prevented or managed.” from the report
Keeping in touch
While visits were restricted under local infection control guidance, staff helped people stay in contact with relatives and friends by telephone and video calls.
“During this time staff were supporting people to stay in contact with their relatives and friends via the telephone, or via on-line video calls.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01What are the current visiting arrangements, and how do you help residents keep in touch with relatives?
- 02How are people and staff currently tested for COVID-19?
- 03How do you make sure staff continue to use PPE safely and follow hand hygiene procedures?
- 04What arrangements are in place for admitting new people safely?
- 05How would you prevent and manage an infection outbreak in the home?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control practices only; the service was inspected but not rated and the other care questions were not assessed. This explanation was written from the published report of 18 November 2020 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 in all five areas; inspectors found safe, kind and personalised care, with minor infection-control issues needing action.
Inspectors visited without warning on 25 and 27 November 2019. They spoke with people living in the home, relatives, staff and a healthcare professional. They also reviewed care plans, risk assessments and medicines records, and observed care.
They found enough staff, safe medicines procedures and appropriate checks to protect people from abuse and avoidable harm. Care was described as kind, respectful and tailored to people's needs. People were supported with food, healthcare, activities and end of life planning.
The home was clean and well maintained. A local authority infection-control audit had identified some minor issues that needed action. The overall rating was Good, and all five areas were rated Good. The previous overall rating was also Good.
Kind and respectful staff
Staff knew people well and were seen supporting them with kindness, dignity and respect.
“Staff demonstrated a caring and kind approach towards the people they supported.” from the report
Enough staff and safe medicines
Inspectors found enough staff to meet people's needs. Medicines were administered, recorded and checked safely.
“There were enough staff on duty to meet people's needs.” from the report
Personalised care
Care plans reflected people's individual needs, wishes, preferences and backgrounds. People and relatives were involved in reviews and decisions.
“Holistic assessments and care plans had been completed which reflected each person's needs, wishes and preferences.” from the report
Activities and choice
People could choose how to spend their time, with activities inside the home and in the local community.
“People were provided with opportunities to participate in a range of activities of their choice both within the home and on outings to the local community.” from the report
Open management
The home had systems for monitoring quality and seeking feedback. Inspectors saw a warm and supportive atmosphere.
“The atmosphere in the service was warm, friendly and welcoming.” from the report
Minor infection-control issues
minorA local authority infection-control audit had found a number of minor issues requiring action. The report also says significant improvements had already been made.
“A recent infection control audit had been undertaken by the local authority, who told us about a number of minor issues that required action” from the report
- 01What were the minor infection-control issues identified by the local authority, and have all the required actions been completed?
- 02How will you assess and adjust staffing levels if people's needs change?
- 03How are relatives involved in care-plan reviews and decisions about changing care needs?
- 04What activities and outings are currently available, and how do you match them to each person's interests?
- 05How do you record and respond to concerns or complaints raised by residents and relatives?
This was an unannounced planned inspection covering all five key questions; the previous overall rating was also Good. This explanation was written from the published report of 21 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 The Hamiltons Care Home
Each visit the CQC has published, newest first, back to the day the home was registered.
- November 2020Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- December 2019GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- December 2018
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 7 December 2018.
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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At least 100 live-in carers within about an hour of Wigan
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. 92 can care for a couple. 11 years' experience on average.
“Primrose is a very kind and compassionate healthcare professional”
“He developed a close affinity with Terence, spending time talking with him before he retired to bed and looking after his needs during 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.