26 February 2015
During a routine inspection
The inspection took place on 26 February 2015 and was unannounced.
Hilcote Hall provides accommodation and personal care for a maximum of 44 people who may have dementia and/ or a physical disability.
A registered manager was in post. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.
People’s risks were assessed in a way that kept them safe from the risk of harm. Where possible people’s rights to be as independent as possible were respected.
People who used the service received their medicines safely. Systems were in place that ensured people were protected from risks associated with medicines management.
We found that there were enough suitably qualified staff available to meet people’s care needs. Call bells were responded to in a timely manner. Staff were trained to carry out their role and the provider had plans in place for updates and refresher training. The provider had safe recruitment procedures that ensured people were supported by suitable staff.
The Mental Capacity Act 2005 and the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) set out the requirements that ensure where appropriate, decisions are made in people’s best interests when they are unable to do this for themselves. Not everyone who lacked capacity to make decisions had undergone a mental capacity assessment.
People told us that staff were kind and caring. Staff treated people with respect and ensured their privacy and dignity was upheld.
People had opportunities to be involved in hobbies and interests that were important to them.
The provider had a complaints procedure available for people who used the service and complaints were appropriately managed.
There was a positive atmosphere within the home and staff told us that the registered manager was approachable and led the team well. Staff received supervision of their practice and had opportunities to meet regularly as a team.
Visiting professionals thought that the home was managed well and that people who used the service received good quality care and support.
The registered manager had systems in place to monitor the service and we saw that improvements had been made when identified as necessary.