02-08-2025
Care home rated 'good' overall following assessment
A RECENT assessment found Whittle Hall House Care Residence in Great Sankey to be "good" overall, despite some concerns about record-keeping and family involvement in care planning.
The assessment, carried out between May 12 and May 27 followed concerns about people's safety at the home.
Whittle Hall House Care Residence, located on Littledale Road, provides accommodation and personal care with nursing for up to 74 people.
At the time of the assessment, 71 people were living at the home.
Inspectors visited the home on May 12 and completed the rest of their checks offsite.
They focused on 21 quality statements relating to safety, effectiveness, and leadership.
While the home was rated "good" overall, inspectors found that daily records used to monitor care for people at risk were not always completed.
This included records of fluid intake and positional changes.
Some care records also lacked details about people's care needs.
Managers responded positively to this feedback and said they would take action to keep records up to date.
Inspectors found that safety concerns were listened to and investigated quickly, with lessons learned to prevent future problems.
Staff and managers knew how to report safeguarding concerns and were aware of different types of abuse.
Medicines were managed safely by trained staff, and there were enough staff with the right skills and experience.
People's needs were assessed using recognised tools, and care plans were regularly reviewed and updated.
People's nutritional and hydration needs were met, and they had a choice of healthy food and drink.
People were supported to attend health appointments, and referrals to other services were made promptly when needed.
Decisions for people lacking capacity were made in line with the Mental Capacity Act 2005.
The home had an experienced manager and a positive culture focused on listening and learning.
Staff felt supported and able to speak up.
There was good partnership working to meet people's needs.
People living at the home and their families mostly felt safe and well cared for.
One resident said: "Yes I feel very safe."
Another said: "Treated fine, nothing to worry about."
Family members commented, "I feel they [relative] are safe here," and "Yes definitely (safe)."
The home was described as clean, with one person saying: "Yes, (clean) I'd mention it if it wasn't."
Family members said they were told about incidents, with one saying: "Me and my sister are both told, relative had a fall last night and we were called straight away."
However, feedback about involvement in care planning and knowing the manager was mixed.
Managers said they would look at ways to improve communication in these areas.
