Healthcare inspectors have told an Oxhey care home that it “requires improvement” over two breaches of care regulations.

The Hillside Hostel in Pinner Road was judged to need improvements in how ‘safe’ and ‘well-led’ the facility is run, according to the Care Quality Commission report published on September 11. 

The care home is run by Watford and District Mencap, and provides accommodation and support for up to eight people who are autistic or have a learning disability in a two-storey former residential building.
 

The Hillside Hostel in Pinner Road.The Hillside Hostel in Pinner Road. (Image: Google Maps)

Despite the overall rating, inspectors did however judge Hillside to be “good” in the ‘effective,’ ‘caring’ and ‘responsive’ categories of the assessment following their visits between May 7 and June 26 this year.

A Mencap spokesperson said it had noted the CQC's findings and was working to provide a "happy and safe home" for residents.

 In the report, the regulator identified two breaches of care regulations over risk assessments and governance, meaning Hillside must now provide an action plan on how it intends to improve.

It said resident’s medicines were not always “managed well” while inspectors found that some documents were missing from their records.

The report did however highlight many positives as the CQC said: “We found the service offered people care and support in a safe, clean, well equipped, well-furnished and well-maintained environment that met their sensory and physical needs.”

It praised staff who met residents’ needs and kept them safe, while encouraging them to take positive risks where appropriate.

“People received good quality care and support because trained staff could meet their needs and wishes,” the regulator added.

A Mencap spokesperson said: “We note the Inspector’s findings at their most recent visit. We are working on our action plan as requested by the CQC and are pleased to note that the Inspector stated 'People received good quality care and support because trained staff could meet their needs and wishes.'

“The new management team are embedded and working well together to provide a happy and safe home for residents. This is demonstrated by all of the people we support at Hillside, their families and the professionals working with the service providing positive feedback about their experience. 

“We continue to invest in staffing, training, structural environment and resources, ensuring the quality of service and wellbeing of the people that live at Hillside continues to be number one priority which is reflected by the current ‘Good’ HCC Provider Assessment and Market Management Solution (PAMMS) rating.”