Rated Care Homes

Wisden Court

G

Good

Rated on

Rating from the Care Quality Commission.

At a glance

  • 5 ratings

    Its last inspection improved it from Requires improvement to Good.

  • 2 years

    since the latest rating was published.

  • 153 of 210

    rated care homes in Hertfordshire are rated Good, like this one.

Wisden Court: inspection record

Care home, 54 beds, Hertfordshire

Rated Good in July 2024, up from Requires improvement.

Wisden Court: inspection record: inspection ratings by year, 2015 to 2026
201520162017201820192020202120222023202420252026
Overall
Safe
Effective
Caring
Responsive
Well-led

Ratings published by the Care Quality Commission.

Compare nearby

  1. G
    Martins House Good, 0.3 miles away
  2. G
    Jubilee Court Good, 0.7 miles away
  3. G
    Walkern Lodge Good, 0.9 miles away
  4. G
    Julians House Good, 1.1 miles away
  5. G
    SENSE Jenny Chapman House Good, 1.3 miles away

See all care homes in Hertfordshire

See all care homes in Old Town

What inspectors found

From the Care Quality Commission's assessment published 25 July 2024 (assessment visit 15 April 2024). Quoted under the Open Government Licence.

Wisden Court is a residential care home providing accommodation and personal care. This was the first assessment carried out under our single assessment framework.

  • Safe No rating
  • Well-led Good
Read the rest of CQC's summary

This assessment was unannounced. Assessment activity started on 23 April and ended on 6 June 2024. We visited the service on 23 April 2024.

We looked at a total of 15 quality statements, all of which were in the safe and well led key question. At our last inspection (report published 06 February 2020) we found a breach in regulation.

At this assessment we found some improvements had been made in relation to risk management. However, we found unexplained injuries that had not been accurately recorded or referred to the local authority as potential safeguarding concerns. This was a breach of regulation, and the service remains rated Requires Improvement in the safe domain.

The provider had a system of audit and checks in place. Where these had not identified the lack of oversight regarding unexplained injuries, the regional director took immediate action to investigate where shortfalls had occurred, took remedial action and implemented measures to prevent reoccurrence.

Risk assessments were routinely completed and reviewed for all aspects of people’s care. Where we observed people receiving care, which was not in line with their assessed needs, the registered manager took immediate action once informed.

Staffing levels were sufficient and people’s needs were met in a timely manner. Robust recruitment practices were followed, and staff received a range of training to support them in their roles. We observed all areas of the service to be well maintained, with equipment in use routinely serviced to ensure safety.

Learning was shared with staff and stakeholders following surveys, events such as complaints and audits.

We have asked the provider for an action plan in response to the concerns found at this assessment.

  1. Safe

    No rating

    During our assessment of this key question, we found concerns around the recording and reporting of unexplained injuries. From our review of wounds and associated records, followed by an analysis completed by the provider, 7 unexplained injuries were identified that had not been accurately recorded or reported. Investigations into the cause of these had not been completed and therefore placed people at further risk of injury and harm. This was a breach of regulation. You can find more details of our concerns in the evidence category findings below.

    Risk assessments were routinely completed and reviewed for all aspects of people’s care. Where we observed people receiving care which was not in line with their assessed needs, the registered manager took immediate action once informed.

    Staffing levels were assessed. We saw sufficient staff on duty, and that people’s needs were met in a timely manner. Robust recruitment practices were followed, and staff received a range of training.

    There were systems in place to share learning from events that occurred at the service such as complaints, concerns or incidents. The environment was safe and equipment was routinely serviced and maintained.

    Infection prevention and control measures were in place and alongside an up-to-date policy and guidance.

    People received their medicines in accordance with the prescriber’s instructions and there were checks in place to ensure that the management of medicines was safe at the service.

  2. Well-led

    Good

    The provider had a system of audits and checks in place. Processes, when operated effectively, gave an overview of the performance of the service and identified where improvements were needed.

    Our assessment identified one aspect of the service where oversight was not consistently robust. The provider took immediate action to address this and implemented a number of increased checks and an ongoing analysis to prevent re-occurrence. Whilst we are assured by the action taken and have rated the Well Led domain as good, our scores are reflective of the shortfalls we found.

    People, relatives and staff spoke positively about the management of the service. They felt supported to share their feedback regarding the service. Leaders were approachable and a visible presence.

    Learning was shared with staff and stakeholders with a view to maintain good practice, as well as ensure the implementation of any changes required to make improvements.

    The provider had a suite of up-to-date policies in place.

Questions to ask when you visit

  1. Safe was rated Requires improvement on 25 July 2024. Ask how medicines are managed, how staffing levels are decided and how incidents are reviewed.
  2. Ask to see the most recent Care Quality Commission (CQC) report and what the home did about any points in it.
  3. Visit at different times of day, including a mealtime.

Registration details

Registered manager
Sarah Humberstone
Registered with the CQC since
What it provides
Care home service without nursing
Who it supports
Dementia, Older People, Physical Disability, Sensory Impairment, Younger Adults

Inspection report

Read the full inspection report (opens the Care Quality Commission website)

7 inspection reports, latest 8 February 2020. Latest assessment published 25 July 2024; the Care Quality Commission's newer assessments are published on its website rather than as reports.

The rating is the Care Quality Commission's. We show it as published and do not change it.

Who runs it

Provider
Runwood Homes LimitedBrand: Runwood
Ownership type
Organisation
Companies House number
00731250 (opens Companies House)

Runwood Homes Limited runs 55 services in England, 37 of them in the East of England. 46 are rated Good or Outstanding and 9 are rated Requires improvement or Inadequate.

Other services run by Runwood Homes Limited

  1. O
    Low Furlong Outstanding. Care home, Warwickshire, West Midlands
  2. G
    Alexandra House - Harlow Good. Care home with nursing, Essex
  3. G
    Ashwood - Ware Good. Care home, Hertfordshire
  4. G
    Bennett Lodge Good. Care home, Thurrock

See all 55 services run by Runwood Homes Limited

Getting help from Hertfordshire County Council

The council can assess what care someone needs and tell them what help with the cost they may get.

Checked on the council's website, November 2026.

Common questions

Does Wisden Court provide nursing care?
No. The Care Quality Commission lists Wisden Court as a care home without nursing.
How many beds does Wisden Court have?
The Care Quality Commission's register lists 54 beds at Wisden Court.
When was Wisden Court last inspected?
The Care Quality Commission's latest rating for Wisden Court was published on 25 July 2024.
Who runs Wisden Court?
Wisden Court is run by Runwood Homes Limited. It runs 55 services in England, 37 of them in the East of England.
What is Wisden Court's CQC rating?
Its overall rating from the Care Quality Commission is Good, published on 25 July 2024.

Contact

Phone
01438 354933
Address
Wisden Road, Stevenage, SG1 5JD Map (opens Google Maps)
Read the full inspection report (opens the Care Quality Commission website)

Compare nearby

  1. G
    Martins House Good, 0.3 miles away
  2. G
    Jubilee Court Good, 0.7 miles away
  3. G
    Walkern Lodge Good, 0.9 miles away
  4. G
    Julians House Good, 1.1 miles away
  5. G
    SENSE Jenny Chapman House Good, 1.3 miles away

See all care homes in Hertfordshire

See all care homes in Old Town