Hillbrook Grange

This inspection report for Hillbrook Grange Residential Care Home, conducted by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), focuses on assessing the safety and leadership of the service. The report details findings from an unannounced visit on January 10-11, 2023, following up on previous concerns. While improvements have been noted in some areas, the inspection identified ongoing issues that require further attention to ensure the highest standards of care.

Regarding the safety of the service, while staff are knowledgeable about safeguarding and recruitment checks are robust, there are significant concerns with medication management. Not all medicines were administered at the correct times, and there was insufficient guidance for staff on "when required" or variable dose medications. Additionally, the system for recording cream application and the rotation of medicated patches were not consistently followed, posing risks to residents. While infection prevention and control measures were reassuring, the lack of individual risk monitoring charts for areas like skin breakdown means potential risks may not be systematically tracked.

In terms of how effective the care is, the report highlights that residents are supported in making choices and controlling their lives, with staff acting in their best interests. Care plans are personalised and regularly reviewed. However, the report notes that some residents expressed a desire for more involvement in the running of the home through meetings and surveys.

When assessing if the service is caring, residents generally feel safe and describe the staff as kind, friendly, and helpful. Staff interactions observed were positive, and residents reported feeling well-supported with their care needs, including supervision during showers. The home is also described as clean and tidy, and residents are supported to receive visits from family and friends.

Regarding how responsive the service is, residents' call bells are generally responded to promptly. The home maintains good working relationships with healthcare professionals to ensure timely medical care. However, some feedback indicated concerns about privacy at night and the consistency of agency staff.

In assessing if the service is well-led, improvements have been made in management oversight, with some audits and checks being carried out. The management team is responsive and cooperative with feedback. However, previous concerns about medication safety and staff training have not been fully resolved, and audits have not always identified all issues found during the inspection. There's a need for more robust oversight of the home's operations to ensure consistent quality and safety.