Garden Hill Care Centre

The following is CQC's published account of its assessment, published 7 September 2026. References to “we” mean CQC. It describes findings at that time.

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.