CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Thornhill House
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- People were protected from avoidable harm, risks were assessed and medicines were safely managed. Staffing and recruitment arrangements were also found to be suitable.
- Effective?
- Good
- People received suitable food, fluids and healthcare, and staff had the skills and training needed. Inspectors identified some gaps in evidence for a lasting power of attorney and in following the supervision policy.
- Caring?
- Outstanding
- Inspectors saw exceptionally kind and compassionate care. People were treated with dignity, supported to make choices and helped to maintain relationships, faith and independence.
- Responsive?
- Good
- Care plans were personalised and activities reflected people's interests. Inspectors found that end of life wishes were not recorded in enough person-centred detail, and that accessible information arrangements needed further review.
- Well-led?
- Good
- The manager was visible and approachable, and quality checks led to action when problems were found. Staff did not fully understand the provider's values and vision, and the manager said this would be addressed.
What inspectors found, June 2019
Thornhill House was rated Good overall, with Outstanding caring; inspectors found kind, safe care but some records and improvement work were still needed.
Inspectors visited on 31 January and 6 February 2019. The first day was unannounced and the second was announced. They spoke with people living there, relatives, staff and healthcare professionals. They also reviewed care records, medicines records, staff files and management records.
The home was found to be safe, effective, responsive and well-led, all rated Good. Caring was rated Outstanding. Inspectors saw friendly, compassionate staff who treated people with dignity, supported their choices and helped them stay connected with family and the community.
Some issues were identified during the inspection. These included limited information about people's end of life wishes, staff not fully understanding the provider's values, and some records or processes needing improvement. The report says the manager took immediate action on several points, including fire evacuation information and evidence relating to a lasting power of attorney.
Kind and respectful care
Staff were consistently described and observed as kind, patient and compassionate. They supported people's dignity, emotional wellbeing and individual beliefs.
“Staff were extremely kind and caring, treating people with respect and maintaining their dignity.” from the report
Personal choices and independence
People were involved in decisions about their care and were encouraged to do things for themselves where they could.
“People were able to make choices and were involved in decisions about their care.” from the report
Activities and community links
The home offered a broad programme of activities, including trips and links with the local community. People could also keep in touch with family using electronic communication.
“People had access to an extensive wide range of activities including access to the local community.” from the report
Visible management
The manager was regularly present, listened to people and staff, and acted quickly when inspectors raised concerns.
“The manager was visible working with the team, monitoring and supporting staff to ensure people received the care and support they needed.” from the report
End of life planning
needs fixingCare plans contained limited information about people's end of life wishes. A new document was being used on the second inspection day, but the home still needed to develop this work.
“care plans contained limited person-centred information relating to end of life wishes.” from the report
Staff understanding of values
needs fixingStaff did not fully understand the provider's values and vision for the home. The manager said action would be taken.
“Staff we spoke with did not understood the provider's values and vision for the service.” from the report
Supervision process
needs fixingStaff supervision was taking place, but inspectors found it was not being completed in line with the organisation's policy.
“Regular supervision was carried out by the registered manager to support staff to develop in their roles however, we saw this was not in line with organisational policy.” from the report
Accessible information
needs fixingThe report found that accessible information arrangements were followed in some areas, but the manager needed to review the guidance and put any further measures in place.
“The registered manager told us they would review AIS guidance and ensure any additional measures required were put in place.” from the report
Evidence for legal representative
needs fixingOne care plan recorded that a representative held a lasting power of attorney, but there was no supporting evidence. The report says this was corrected by the second inspection day.
“in a care plan we looked at we saw the person's representative held a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA), however, there was no evidence to support this.” from the report
- 01How are people's end of life wishes now discussed, recorded and kept up to date?
- 02How do you check that all staff understand the provider's values and vision?
- 03How often is staff supervision now completed, and how do you check it follows the organisation's policy?
- 04What additional accessible information is now available for people with communication, sensory or other needs?
- 05How do you check that records supporting a representative's legal authority are in place and up to date?
This was a scheduled inspection covering all five CQC questions, including both the premises and the care provided. This explanation was written from the published report of 4 June 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 Thornhill House
4 rated inspections over 4 years: the service has improved, from Requires improvement to Good.
- June 2019Goodcurrent ratingstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: OutstandingResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- July 2016Goodup from Requires improvementSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Requires improvement
- February 2016Requires improvementstayed Requires improvementSafe: Requires improvementEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: Requires improvementWell-led: Requires improvement
- August 2015Requires improvementSafe: Requires improvementEffective: Requires improvementCaring: Requires improvementResponsive: Requires improvementWell-led: Requires improvement
- August 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- January 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- October 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- August 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- May 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- January 2011
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 26 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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At least 99 live-in carers within about an hour of Barnsley
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. 82 can care for a couple. 12 years' experience on average.
“Carla has been a god send with the implementation of bringing mum back home from respite care.”
“Ivy was very kind and gentle in all her dealings with my late mother. They got on very well and were able to share a joke and a laugh.”
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.