- Community healthcare service
Swindon Intermediate Care Centre
Assessment report published 24 June 2026
Contents
Ratings - Community health inpatient services
Our view of the service
Date of Assessment: 27 to 29 April 2026.
This assessment focused solely on two inpatient rehabilitation wards located at Swindon Intermediate Care Centre (SWICC), which together offer 60 inpatient beds.
Our assessment was a comprehensive inspection of all key questions.
Our assessment was announced (staff knew we were coming) to ensure everyone we needed to speak with was available. This was the first time we had assessed this service since it was taken over by HCRG in April 2025. During our assessment, we visited both wards and spoke with 22 staff, including doctors, nurses, therapists, domestic staff and managers and reviewed 7 patient records.
Mental Capacity Act Compliance
Staff had a good understanding of the Mental Capacity Act, in particular the five statutory principles.
The provider had a policy on the Mental Capacity Act, including deprivation of liberty safeguards. Staff were aware of the policy and had access to it.
Staff knew where to get advice from within the provider regarding the Mental Capacity Act, including deprivation of liberty safeguards.
Staff took all practical steps to enable people to make their own decisions
For people who might have impaired mental capacity, staff assessed and recorded capacity to consent appropriately. They did this on a decision-specific basis with regard to significant decisions.
When people lacked capacity, staff made decisions in their best interests, recognising the importance of the person’s wishes, feelings, culture and history.
People's experience of this service
During our assessment, we spoke with 26 people across Orchard and Forest Wards. All people using the service reported feeling safe, and feedback about their experiences of care was largely positive. People described staff as kind, caring and compassionate and described them as “lovely”, “friendly” and “supportive” and “good”. People felt staff were caring and compassionate and treated them with dignity and respect. One person said, “ I can honestly say every person who has dealt with me has been courteous and respectful”.
People told us that staff were responsive to their needs and confirmed they were engaged in decisions about their care and treatment. They reported receiving regular therapeutic support that helped them become stronger and more independent.
Staff and patients spoke freely on the ward and there was a good, warm atmosphere.
Four people said they felt there was not “always enough staff” and this resulted in longer waits for requests for help including waiting for medication and being assisted to the toilet. People said staff were “busy but do try to make time for people”.