CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at The Hermitage
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
What inspectors found, March 2021
The Hermitage was inspected but not rated; inspectors found good infection control and support for visits during the COVID-19 pandemic.
This was a targeted inspection on 19 March 2021. It looked at how well the home prevented and controlled infection during the COVID-19 pandemic. The visit was announced beforehand.
Inspectors found good practice. Staff used protective equipment correctly, followed handwashing and cleaning procedures, and had enough protective equipment. The home also had testing arrangements, outbreak plans and measures for people at increased risk.
The home supported visits, including visits for end of life care, and helped people keep in touch in other ways. The service was inspected but not rated, so this report does not give an overall quality rating.
Protective equipment and hygiene
Staff used protective equipment correctly and followed good hygiene practices. They had a separate area to put it on and remove it, and disposed of it safely.
“Staff supported people to be safer by wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) correctly and practising good hygiene standards.” from the report
Cleaning and reducing spread
Frequently touched surfaces and other areas were cleaned and disinfected. Staff worked in ways that reduced the risk of spreading infection between people.
“Staff supported people in a way which avoided the risk of cross contamination.” from the report
Visits and contact with relatives
The home supported visits, including for end of life care. It also offered other ways for people to stay in touch with family and friends.
“Staff supported visits to people including for end of life care.” from the report
Testing and outbreak planning
The provider took part in regular COVID-19 testing and had plans for a possible future outbreak. Staff were kept up to date with pandemic guidance.
“The provider participated in regular COVID-19 testing programmes and ensured staff were kept up to date with guidance about any developments with the COVID-19 pandemic.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How have your infection prevention and control arrangements changed since the inspection in March 2021?
- 02How do you currently support visits, including visits for people receiving end of life care?
- 03How often are people using the service and staff tested for infections, and what happens after a positive result?
- 04What plans are in place if there is an infection outbreak?
- 05How are new admissions managed, including any period of isolation and the cleaning or separation of personal equipment?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control, under the Safe question; it was not a full inspection and the service was not rated. This explanation was written from the published report of 27 March 2021 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
The Hermitage was rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and personalised care, with some recording and training gaps.
This was an unannounced inspection over 18 and 22 November 2019. One inspector spoke with three people living in the home, two relatives, six staff members and two visiting health professionals. Records, training information, medicines audits and management checks were also reviewed.
The home was rated Good in all five areas: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. Inspectors found enough staff on the inspection day, safe medicines processes, kind care, good communication and activities that people enjoyed.
There were some areas to improve. Staff supervisions and some quality checks were not formally recorded. Staff had not yet completed equality and diversity training, and the home reported difficulty arranging NHS dentist visits for people.
Safe medicines support
People either had support to manage medicines safely or had risk assessments showing they could self-medicate. Staff were trained and their competency was checked.
“Trained staff administered people's prescribed medicines.” from the report
Kind and respectful care
Inspectors saw compassionate care. People and relatives said staff respected privacy, dignity and personal choices.
“During the inspection staff were very kind and compassionate towards the people they supported.” from the report
Personalised support
Staff knew people's likes, dislikes and wishes. People were involved in decisions about their care and supported to remain as independent as possible.
“Staff really know me, and my likes and dislikes and I think that is what matters.” from the report
Activities and community links
People were supported to continue hobbies and take part in activities. The home also had links with local groups and organisations.
“There is enough for [family member] to do here, they colour, they do cupcakes, there is always something going on.” from the report
Positive leadership
People, relatives, staff and visiting health professionals gave positive feedback about the management and culture of the home.
“People, their relatives, and visiting health professionals spoke positively about the registered manager and the service staff provided.” from the report
Supervision records
needs fixingManagers held supervision discussions with staff, but did not formally record what was discussed. Inspectors recommended recording these meetings as evidence of support and oversight.
“However, the registered manager told us these discussions were not documented.” from the report
Quality check records
needs fixingQuality monitoring visits and audits took place, but records did not always show the checks or actions needed. Inspectors recommended formal recording.
“However, these checks were not formally documented including any actions required.” from the report
Equality and diversity training
minorStaff had not been trained in equality and diversity at the time of inspection. The manager said this had been added to the training programme and should be completed as soon as possible.
“However, staff had not been trained in equality and diversity.” from the report
Access to NHS dentists
needs fixingThe home said it struggled to get an NHS dentist to visit people. Families were expected to arrange dental visits if needed.
“However, the assistant manager told us they struggled to get an NHS dentist to visit people at the service.” from the report
- 01How are staff supervision meetings now recorded, and how do you follow up any issues discussed?
- 02How are quality checks, audits and improvement actions recorded and reviewed?
- 03Have all staff completed equality and diversity training since this inspection?
- 04How would you help my relative arrange dental care if they needed it?
- 05How do you decide that staffing levels are enough for people's changing care needs?
This was an unannounced inspection covering all five CQC questions; the report also records a telephone interview with the registered manager on 22 November 2019. This explanation was written from the published report of 14 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 Hermitage
3 rated inspections over 5 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- March 2021Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- December 2019Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- May 2017Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- April 2015GoodSafe: Requires improvementEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- August 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- June 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- September 2012
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 10 September 2012.
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 £1,020 to £1,200 a week. 14 can care for a couple. 12 years' experience on average.
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