- Care home
Garden Hill Care Centre
Assessment report published 7 September 2026
Contents
Ratings
Our view of the service
Date of assessment: 14 – 15 May 2026. Garden Hill Care Centre is registered to provide accommodation, nursing and personal care to older people, some of whom are living with dementia, have a sensory impairment and/or a physical disability. At the time of the assessment there were 34 people using the service. We assessed this service due to concerns received in relation to the safe care and treatment of people.
We found a breach of legal regulation in relation to medicines management and governance arrangements.
Governance systems did not always identify or manage risks effectively. Audits missed inaccuracies in care records, inconsistencies between care plans and risk assessments, and records were not reviewed in line with the providers processes.
Medicine management needed improvement. While medicines were generally stored securely and stock levels were accurate on inspection, pharmacy delays had led to missed medicines. Concerns were also found with temperature monitoring, escalation of out-of-range temperatures and records for prescribed creams.
Safeguarding oversight, partnership working and staffing deployment needed improvement. Safeguarding evidence was inconsistent, and limited oversight of communal areas contributed to incidents between people and risk management concerns.
Despite these concerns, people and relatives spoke positively about the care provided. Staff were described as kind, caring and respectful, and observations showed positive interactions. People were supported to maintain independence, make choices and take part in meaningful activities.
The service worked with health and social care professionals to support people’s wellbeing, and referrals were made when needed. Care plans included person-centred information, and people were supported to access healthcare and maintain healthier lifestyles.
Leaders were open to feedback and committed to improvement. Staff reported positive relationships with managers and felt able to raise concerns. The provider had introduced technology to help identify risks and changes in people’s needs, alongside ongoing work to improve culture, oversight and care quality.
People's experience of this service
People and relatives gave mostly positive feedback about their experience at Garden Hill. People said they felt safe, staff responded when they used their call bells, and staff supported their individual needs, including dietary preferences and personal care. One person said staff came “straight away” after a fall, while another said staff “come when she presses it unless they are busy.”Several people described staff as “lovely”,“wonderful” and “excellent.”
People also spoke positively about activities, visiting arrangements and relationships with staff. One person said what she liked most was that she “never feels lonely”,and relatives said they could visit freely, including staying overnight when needed. Some concerns were raised about staffing levels, with people saying staff were “rushed off their feet” and that more staff would help with general checks and drinks. Overall, people felt safe, cared for and supported, but feedback indicated staffing pressures sometimes affected people’s experience.