Padgate House is situated near Warrington. It provides intermediate care and nursing support for up to 31 people and a further four people needing neurological rehabilitation. The service provides short-term support for up to six weeks in a residential setting to help people regain daily living skills and independence. It is provided jointly by Warrington Borough Council and Bridgewater Community Healthcare NHS Trust. There is a registered manager in post, employed by Warrington Borough Council.

During our inspection we talked with patients and staff throughout Padgate House. We observed how patients were being cared for and talked with carers and/or family members. We reviewed personal care records. We found there were systems and processes in place to keep people safe; including incident reporting. Patients’ needs were assessed and evidence from records indicated that care was provided to meet those needs.

There were audit systems in place to check on the quality of care, including the prevention of infections, and Padgate House was visibly clean and well maintained. We saw staff complying with hand washing procedures and staff had access to alcohol hand gel.

The care at Padgate house was focused on the needs of patients. Staff were following best practice guidelines when treating and supporting people. There was evidence that practice and service delivery audits had taken place.

We found that the care at Padgate House was delivered by caring and compassionate staff. All the patients we spoke with were positive about their care and treatment. We observed staff treating patients with dignity and respect.

Padgate House had been responsive to the needs of people who used the service. Staff were able to give us examples of how services had been developed in response to patients’ feedback – for example the main meal time had been changed to the evening.

Padgate House was well-led. Staff told us they felt able to raise concerns and felt supported to carry out their job role. Staff were very passionate and proud to work at the service. We saw evidence of close integrated partnership working and proactive monitoring of the quality of the service being delivered.