Houndswood House Care Home

Updated 6 July 2026

Date of inspection: 7 July to 20 July 2026. This inspection was unannounced.

Houndswood House is a care home providing accommodation and personal nursing care for 7 people some of whom were living with dementia. They are registered to provide care for up to 50 people.

At our last inspection, we rated this service as requires improvement (published 26 January 2026). There were breaches of regulations in relation to person-centred care, managing risk, staffing and good governance. Improvements were found at this assessment, and the provider was no longer in breach of these regulations.

A review of feedback we had received from external agencies in relation to risks along with information we held about the service was completed. As a result, a decision was made to carry out a responsive inspection of the areas of safe and well led. At our last inspection, safe and well led were rated as requires improvement. At this inspection, both have improved to good. However, as we did not inspect the key questions of effective, caring and responsive, the overall rating of this service remains requires improvement.

The provider had made the decision to close the home prior to our inspection. At the time of our inspection only 7 people remained in the home and there were plans for them to move alternative accommodation.

The service was experiencing issues with their water supply. As a result, action had been taken by external agencies, and they were working with the provider to address this. This had been an ongoing issue since September 2025 and had not been resolved at the time of this report. Part of the reason for our inspection was to review the impact this had on people. People we spoke with were unphased by the need to use bowls for personal care and hair washing and felt the team managed it well. We found people’s personal care needs had been met.

Updated 6 July 2026

There was positive feedback about the registered manager and the running of the service. There were systems in place to improve people’s lives and experiences.

People were supported safely and staff knew about individual risks.

Medicines management systems were in place and managed well in most cases. Checks were in place to help ensure the safe management of medicines. When issues arose, action was taken.

Staff knew how to recognise and report any concerns relating to abuse. Information was available and safeguarding concerns were reported appropriately.

Infection prevention and control was practiced and this included enhanced practice due to an ongoing issue with water sources.

The management team spent time checking on staff practice providing support and guidance. People, relatives and staff were positive about their presence, guidance and approach.

People, relatives and staff had opportunities for sharing their views. People’s choices were sought, and they were supported in accordance with their wishes and needs. People, and their relatives where appropriate, were involved with people’s care planning and reviews.

People had appropriate access to health and social care support services.

There were enough staff to meet people’s needs and staff felt they were able to provide a person-centred approach. Staff were positive about the service they provided the management team and liked working at the home.