Care home where people's safety was 'not always assured' ordered to improve for second time

A care home has been ordered to improve for the second time after an inspection found residents' safety was ‘not always assured’. Hilltop Hall Nursing Home, in Stockport, has again been rated as ‘requires improvement’ by care watchdog the CQC following an inspection focusing on how ‘well led’ and ‘responsive’ the service is.

Based at Dodge Hill, in Heaton Norris, the home provides personal and nursing care to up to 54 older people. During a visit in May, inspectors found that residents were 'supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives’, with 'kind' staff helping them in the ‘least restrictive way possible and in their best interests’.

However, a new report says that it has not made enough progress since the previous inspection - carried out in February last year - and remains in breach of two care regulations. Officials found that the manager had ‘not always ensured the safety of people around the home’, and had ‘concerns with staff practice and the environment.

READ MORE : Care home ordered to improve for THIRD time as safety shortcomings put residents 'at risk of harm'

The report adds: "We observed people being transported around the home in wheelchairs without wearing a safety belt. We found radiators were not always covered to prevent the risk of burns, and access to areas such as the sluice, kitchenette and cleaning cupboard was not secured.

“Staff had not ensured several tubs of thickening agent had been secured away. This placed people at risk of harm of the accidental swallowing of thickener.” Inspectors also saw areas around the home in need of refurbishment and repair - one example being a leaking roof that was causing a tiled floor to become wet.

While the manager carried out a series of