Hunters Creek Care Home

Updated 5 March 2026

Date of inspection: 27 May to 10 June 2026. Hunters Creek Care Home is a care home with nursing supporting adults of all ages. Some people are living with dementia or physical disabilities. At the time of the inspection, the service supported 87 people with the regulated activity. We inspected this service due to concerns about management of risk and quality of care. We did not find evidence to support those concerns. While there were some areas in the process of being improved, risks were being well managed and we had no concerns about the quality of care being provided.

Systems were in place to manage risks, safeguard people and monitor incidents. Staff knew how to report concerns and people felt safe. Improvements were needed in how staff supported people who experienced distress and in aspects of the environment. Medicines and infection control were mostly well managed, though some recording and environmental issues remained. Staffing was stable, but staff confidence and availability did not always meet people’s needs.

People’s needs were assessed and care plans were detailed and focused on health and wellbeing. Staff worked with professionals and used recognised tools to support people’s health. People were supported with eating, drinking and their health needs. Some inconsistencies in records and monitoring were identified, although partnership working was strong.

Staff were kind and people were treated with compassion. The atmosphere was friendly and feedback about staff was positive. Improvements were needed in privacy, respectful language and ensuring all interactions upheld dignity. Staff knew people well and relationships were positive.

People were not always supported in a timely or consistent way, particularly when they experienced distress. Person centred care and meaningful engagement were developing but not always consistent. There were positive examples of personalised activities. Systems were in place to respond to complaints and feedback.

Leaders were knowledgeable, approachable and committed to improvement. Governance systems were in place and becoming more focused on people’s experiences. Staff felt supported and there was an open culture. Improvements were ongoing and not all systems were fully embedded.

Updated 5 March 2026

People’s experience was mostly positive. People and relatives described staff as kind, caring and approachable. There was a warm atmosphere across the service, with natural interactions, laughter and staff who knew people well. People appeared comfortable in their surroundings and many had built positive relationships with staff.

People were supported to maintain their health and wellbeing. They had access to healthcare professionals, regular meals and drinks and a range of activities. There were creative approaches to engagement, including themed events, animals and opportunities for people to take part in meaningful roles or hobbies. Some people benefited from personalised support that helped them feel more involved and valued.

People felt safe and relatives were confident raising concerns. Staff responded appropriately to health emergencies and worked with external professionals to support people’s needs. There were examples of improvements being made based on feedback, including changes to care and new approaches to activities and monitoring quality.

However, people’s experience was not always consistent. Some people felt they were not supported in a timely way, particularly when they experienced distress. At times, people were not meaningfully engaged and spent long periods without interaction. Staff confidence in responding to people’s emotional needs varied, particularly across different areas of the service.

There were also areas where people’s privacy and preferences were not always fully considered.

Overall, people experienced kind care from a committed staff team. The service showed a clear focus on improving people’s quality of life, although further work was needed to make sure this was consistent for everyone.