Hammerwich Hall Care Home

On this page

• Overview
• Learning culture
• Safe systems, pathways and transitions
• Safeguarding
• Involving people to manage risks
• Safe environments
• Safe and effective staffing
• Infection prevention and control
• Medicines optimisation

Safe – this means we looked for evidence that people were protected from abuse and avoidable harm.

This is the first assessment for this provider at this service. This key question has been rated good. This meant people were safe and protected from avoidable harm.

This service scored 75 (out of 100) for this area. Find out what we look at when we assess this area and How we calculate these scores.

The provider had a proactive and positive culture of safety, based on openness and honesty. Staff listened to concerns about safety and investigated and reported safety events. Lessons were learnt to continually identify and embed good practice.

There was a strong and open learning culture within the service. Staff were actively encouraged to report concerns, near misses, and safety‑related events. These concerns were taken seriously, reviewed promptly, and responded to in a timely way. Learning from incidents was identified and shared with the staff team through supervision, team meetings, and day‑to‑day discussions. This helped staff reflect on practice and make improvements. As a result, staff were able to maintain safe, consistent, and effective care across the service.

The provider worked with people and healthcare partners to establish and maintain safe systems of care, in which safety was managed or monitored. They made sure there was continuity of care, including when people moved between different services.

There were clear systems in place to support continuity of care. People were introduced to the service through a thorough pre‑assessment process, which ensured staff understood their needs, preferences, and risks from the outset. These assessments were regularly reviewed and built upon as people’s circumstances changed, creating an accurate and up‑to‑date picture of each person’s care requirements.

When people moved on from the service, this information supported a seamless transition. Relevant records were shared appropriately with receiving services or professionals, helping to ensure people continued to receive safe, consistent, and well‑coordinated care.

The provider worked with people and healthcare partners to understand what being safe meant to them and the best way to achieve that. Staff concentrated on improving people’s lives while protecting their right to live in safety, free from bullying, harassment, abuse, discrimination, avoidable harm and neglect. The provider shared concerns quickly and appropriately.

People told us they felt safe and well supported by staff who took any concerns seriously. One person said, “I feel safe because I know I can report concerns if I am worried.” A relative told us, “Absolutely [relatives’ name] is safe, they [staff] are very attentive to [relative].”

Staff understood how to recognise signs of abuse or neglect and were confident in how to report issues. A clear reporting process was in place, and staff had access to the training, guidance, and tools needed to protect people from the risk of harm.

Where safeguarding concerns arose, referrals were made to the local authority in line with statutory requirements. The manager reviewed each concern to identify any learning or improvements needed. Outcomes and learning were shared with the staff team through supervision, meetings, and reflective discussions, helping to strengthen safe practice and prevent reoccurrence.

The provider worked with people to understand and manage risks by thinking holistically. Staff provided care to meet people’s needs that was safe, supportive and enabled people to do the things that mattered to them.

Risks were managed well across the service. Care records were clear, detailed, and descriptive, enabling staff to understand how best to support people and respond to individual health conditions, symptoms, or changes in presentation. For example, diabetic care plans were specific, robust, and provided clear guidance to ensure safe and consistent management of people’s health needs.

There was an effective system for reporting when people’s needs and risks changed. Staff were encouraged to share updates promptly, and these were reviewed regularly to identify any themes or trends. This approach ensured that risks were continually monitored, and any required adjustments to care were made in a timely and informed way.

The provider detected and controlled potential risks in the care environment. They made sure equipment, facilities and technology supported the delivery of safe care.

The environment was safe, well maintained, and supported people’s wellbeing. Regular health and safety checks were carried out, including routine monitoring of fire safety, cleanliness, and environmental risks. Any issues identified were addressed promptly to ensure the premises remained compliant and safe for people, staff, and visitors.

The provider made sure there were enough qualified, skilled and experienced staff, who received effective support, supervision and development. They worked together well to provide safe care that met people’s individual needs.

There were enough staff to meet people’s needs safely, and staff were well trained and supported in their roles. Staff received regular individual supervisions and took part in group meetings, which helped them reflect on practice, share learning, and stay up to date with people’s needs.

The staff team worked well together and had a clear understanding of each other’s strengths and working styles. This contributed to consistent, coordinated support for people.

The manager promoted professional development, and staff spoke positively about the encouragement they received to upskill and progress into senior roles. One staff member said, “I have expressed a desire to progress to a more senior role and so I am being supported to look at the training for this.” Staff told us morale was good and the support they received helped them feel confident and effective in their work.

The provider assessed and managed the risk of infection. They detected and controlled the risk of it spreading and shared concerns with appropriate agencies promptly.

The home was clean, tidy, and free from malodour and all staff took pride in maintaining a comfortable and welcoming environment.

The risk of infection and cross‑contamination was minimised through regular cleaning and clear schedules that outlined what needed to be completed and when. Staff understood their responsibilities and followed established routines to maintain high standards of hygiene.

Housekeeping staff also played an important role within the service. They had a positive rapport with residents and the wider staff team and were happy to offer additional support, including assisting at mealtimes. Their involvement contributed to a safe, clean environment and supported people’s overall wellbeing.

The provider made sure that medicines and treatments were safe and met people’s needs, capacities and preferences. Staff involved people in planning, including when changes happened.

Medicines were stored, administered, and disposed of in line with best practice guidance and relevant legislation by suitably trained staff. There was an electronic medication system in place which supported safe and accurate recording of medicines administration.

Where people required medication at specific times, staff followed these instructions to ensure people received their medicines as prescribed. Controlled drugs were managed and administered in accordance with legal requirements, with appropriate checks and documentation in place.