- Community healthcare service
Elmhurst Intermediate Care Centre
Assessment report published 18 September 2026
Contents
Ratings
Our view of the service
We assessed Elmhurst Intermediate Care Centre on 23 and 24 April 2026.
Elmhurst Intermediate Care Centre was registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) on 15 June 2010 for the provision of treatment of disease, disorder or injury. This was the first inspection of the service since registration under the current provider. The assessment was scheduled due to the length of time since registration, with no previous inspection having taken place.
This was a fully comprehensive assessment of one service group: Community Health Inpatient services, where all quality statements were reviewed. Community health inpatient services provide care to adult patients receiving inpatient treatment within community hospitals or intermediate care settings.
Elmhurst Intermediate Care Centre is a community-based intermediate care facility located in Winsford. The centre is a 30-bedded unit, comprising individual patient rooms across two floors. It is a nurse and therapy-led service with support from GPs.
People are assessed for suitability through a local Placement of Care Hub and are reviewed on admission. People are medically fit before admission. The service is supported by an expert multidisciplinary team (MDT) of therapists who focus on helping people regain functional independence where there are identified rehabilitation goals.
The site offers level, easy access and on-site parking for people, visitors, and staff. Services at the centre are provided by Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. The service works collaboratively with third sector organisations and other healthcare partners.
The inspection team consisted of 3 CQC Inspectors, 2 Specialist Advisors and 1 Expert by Experience. This was a short-notice announced inspection, meaning the provider was informed in advance.
During the inspection, we reviewed people’s care and treatment records, observed MDT referral meetings, and spoke with staff regarding care and treatment.
The provider had effective systems in place to support compliance with the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS). Staff were aware of the relevant policies, knew how to access advice when needed, and supported patients to make their own decisions wherever possible. Capacity assessments were completed and recorded appropriately on a decision-specific basis, and where patients lacked capacity, best-interest decisions reflected their wishes, feelings, culture and history. Staff made DoLS applications when required, monitored their progress, and the service regularly audited MCA practice, using findings to drive improvement.
People's experience of this service
We spoke with 17 people and carers, all of whom provided consistently positive feedback about their experiences of the service. People reported that they felt safe and were actively involved in planning their care, with a clear understanding of their rights. They described staff as treating them with kindness, dignity and respect, and delivering care and treatment that met their needs. Communication from staff was described as clear, timely and supportive.
People and carers were supported to provide feedback on the service. This included the use of the Friends and Family Test (FFT), which showed 100% positive feedback over the previous 12 months at the time of the assessment. The service actively collected and shared compliments, reflecting high levels of satisfaction with the care provided.
Feedback indicated that staff were responsive, attentive and considerate, providing emotional support when required and encouraging people to engage in rehabilitation activities to improve their independence and outcomes.
People described opportunities to participate in social and therapeutic activities during their stay. Rehabilitation and therapy needs were clearly prioritised, with people supported to work towards discharge.
People were encouraged to leave their rooms, where appropriate, and told us they valued opportunities to eat together at breakfast and lunchtime, which supported social interaction.
Family and carers reported visiting arrangements were flexible and staff worked well together, contributing to a positive and well-coordinated care environment.
Records showed that people’s needs were assessed in a timely manner. People told us staff were available when needed and responded promptly to requests for assistance and support.