Hillcroft Nursing Home Morecambe

Updated 1 July 2026

Date of Assessment: 29 July 2026 – 6 August 2026. Hillcroft Nursing Home Morecambe is a care home providing personal and nursing care for up to 54 older and younger people who may have physical disabilities, dementia and or mental health conditions. At the time of this assessment there were 51 people living there. We assessed the quality statements from all the key questions; safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led and the overall rating has remained good.

At the start of the inspection, we identified some concerns with the management of risks in the environment. These were immediately addressed by the provider and deputy manager. People were protected and kept safe. Staff were aware of their safeguarding responsibilities. There were enough staff with the right skills, qualifications and experience. Staff received training and supervision to support them in delivering good care. The home was clean and well presented.

People and their families were fully involved in assessments of their needs. Staff regularly reviewed these assessments taking account of people’s communication, personal and health needs. People’s nutritional needs were assessed and met. The staff team worked well with other organisations and services to support people to manage their health and wellbeing.

People were treated as individuals and with kindness, dignity and compassion. People had choice in their care and were encouraged to maintain their independence. People’s personal, cultural, social and religious needs were supported. People were supported to engage in regular meaningful activities, social interests and maintain relationships with family and friends. The provider cared about the wellbeing of their staff and supported them in a variety of ways to enable them to have a good working experience. Staff told us they felt very valued and their work commitment was recognised and celebrated by the provider.

The service worked well with commissioners to ensure that continuity of care for people was managed. People’s individual communication needs were identified, and information was provided in an accessible way. People and their relatives were able to give feedback on care which the provider listened to and acted on. Staff understood about equality and diversity. The service contacted emergency services when required and knew when to involve specialist services in people’s care. There was a system in place for responding to concerns or complaints. People’s end-of-life wishes were noted and reflected in their care records.

The management team led the service with integrity, openness and honesty and valued diversity in their workforce. Staff felt very supported and were able to report concerns and said they were listened to.

There was a range of quality monitoring and auditing processes in place. However, some issues seen during the assessment for the safer storage of medicines had not been identified through the oversight and audit processes. The deputy manager took immediate action to address those concerns. The provider’s management team had already recognised where improvements were needed and were already developing some new processes and systems.

Updated 1 July 2026

People and their families were very positive about the quality of care and how the service was managed. People told us they felt safe and were involved in planning their care and treatment. One person said, “I do feel safe. There are certain things they have put in place to keep me safe.” A relative told us, “[Relative] is safe which is huge change from them being at home.” People also described how the staff treated them kindly and with dignity and respect. One person said, “Staff are very respectful and are very friendly to me.” Another person told us, “Everyone is very respectful, the staff are exceptional.”

People were very happy with their environment and told us it was kept clean. One person said, “It is very clean, it is five-star accommodation.” Peoples’ rooms were personalised with their belongings and choices. One person told us their personal pictures were to be mounted on their wall.

People were very complimentary about the food and we observed the dining experience was very relaxed. The staff were seen to be encouraging, polite and nobody was rushed. One person said, “I do like the food, there is choice of 2 meals and there is enough on your plate for 2 people.” A relative said, “The food is good. They put on a birthday party, and they put on a lovely spread.”

The service provided a variety of activities to keep people physically and mentally active. One person said, “I go to bingo and the song and dance. The nurse has arranged for me to have my hair done next week.” A relative told us, “[Relative] has started reading again so I have brought some books in for her.” Another relative told us, “There are directed activities, doing one thing at a time and it has helped [Relative] so they have stimulation.”

People knew staff and the registered manager very well and praised them. One person said about the registered manager, “ I don’t know her name but she is always out and about, she is very good.” A variety of opportunities for providing feedback about the service were available. One relative told us, “The check in system asks for your comments every time you visit.”

People and their relatives expressed how good the home was. One person told us, “I am very happy; I wouldn’t like to be anywhere else.” Another person said, “I think it is nice; you are well looked after.” Relatives comments were also very positive stating, “We are very happy with the service; they go over and above here” and “It is homely, it is beautiful.”

Some people could not directly tell us about their experience. We used a structured observation tool to assess whether they received good care. We observed that staff interactions with people demonstrated genuine affection, care and concern for them.” People were included and listened to and staff interacted positively with them.