Hollymede Cottage

This summary provides an overview of the recent CQC inspection report for Hollymede Cottage, designed to help families understand the service's strengths and areas for development. The report, conducted on March 7, 2018, found that the home generally provides a good standard of care. It covers five key areas: safety, effectiveness, caring, responsiveness, and leadership.

Regarding safety, Hollymede Cottage maintains a secure environment for its residents. The inspection noted that there were sufficient staff available to meet residents' needs effectively, and safety procedures were well-established, including robust risk assessments and safe medication administration practices. The recruitment process was thorough, ensuring staff had the necessary skills to provide care, and systems were in place to protect residents from harm.

On effectiveness, the care provided at Hollymede Cottage is well-supported by trained staff. Residents receive the care and support they require in a timely manner, and staff are well-trained, receiving regular supervision and appraisals. The dining experience is positive, with residents having choices and their nutritional needs carefully monitored, and healthcare needs are met with access to various professionals.

The caring aspect of the service was highlighted positively. Both residents and their relatives expressed satisfaction with the staff's approach, describing them as kind, friendly, and respectful. Staff demonstrated a deep understanding of individual residents' needs and preferences, fostering a compassionate and personal approach to care delivery, and actively supported residents in maintaining relationships with family and friends.

In terms of responsiveness, Hollymede Cottage offers a flexible service tailored to individual needs, allowing residents to maintain their independence and lifestyle choices. Care plans are detailed and regularly reviewed, ensuring that changing needs are identified and addressed promptly, often with input from relevant health and social care professionals. The home is described as a small, homely environment where staff can get to know residents very well.

Finally, the report indicated that the service requires improvement in its leadership. While an effective quality assurance system is in place, with regular monitoring and resident feedback used for improvements, the service was noted as not always being well-led. This was primarily due to the absence of a registered manager at the time of inspection, although a recruitment process was underway with plans for the new manager to register.