Hill House

Updated 7 April 2022

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008.

As part of CQC’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic we are looking at how services manage infection control and visiting arrangements. This was a targeted inspection looking at the infection prevention and control measures the provider had in place. We also asked the provider about any staffing pressures the service was experiencing and whether this was having an impact on the service.

This inspection took place on 18 February 2022 and was announced. We gave the service 24 hours notice of the inspection.

Updated 7 April 2022

Hill House is registered to provide accommodation with nursing care for to up to 60 older people who may experience dementia. Nursing care is provided to people across three floors. People who experience dementia are accommodated on one of two ‘Safe’ units which are located on the ground and first floors. At the time of the inspection there were 55 people living at the service.

At the last inspection, the service was rated Good.

Rating at this inspection

At this inspection we found the service remained good.

Why the service is rated good.

The provider had robust policies, processes and staff training in place to protect people from avoidable risks to their safety and welfare, including the risk of abuse. Staffing levels were appropriate to meet people’s needs promptly and to support people safely. The provider ensured safe recruitment practices were followed. There were arrangements in place to ensure people received their medicines when they needed them, from trained staff.

There was a focus on staff development which created a desire for staff at all levels to continually improve; through: induction, training, professional development, supervision and appraisal. People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice. People were supported to eat a range of healthy foods and their healthcare needs were met.

People and their relatives consistently told us the service was caring. The provider used creative ways for staff to build relationships with people. The provider’s creation of leaflets for relatives had enabled them to develop their knowledge and understanding so they could support their loved ones living with dementia and through end of life care. The regular involvement of a person in staff recruitment made them feel they mattered. Staff went out of their way to facilitate contact between a person and their relatives living abroad. People and their relatives consistently told us people’s privacy and dignity was upheld in the provision of their care. Relatives had derived great comfort from the provider’s ‘Life basket’ initiative for use at the end of their loved one’s life.

People continued to receive individualised care that was responsive to their needs. The needs of people living with dementia were well met by staff who were skilled in this area of care provision. People were provided with a range of activities to meet their needs for social stimulation. Peoples’ feedback on the service was: sought, listened to and acted upon to improve the service for people.

There was a positive and open culture, with an emphasis upon continual development and improvement. There was good, clear, visible and inspiring management at all levels. When issues were brought to the registered manager’s attention they took immediate action. Processes were in place to monitor and improve the quality of the service provided.