CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at 33 Blanford Road
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors were assured about infection prevention and control, including PPE, testing, social distancing, cleanliness and managing possible outbreaks.
- Effective?
- Good
- This question was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
- Caring?
- Good
- This question was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
- Responsive?
- Outstanding
- This question was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
- Well-led?
- Good
- This question was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
What inspectors found, March 2021
33 Blanford Road was inspected but not rated; inspectors found infection-control arrangements in place after earlier concerns were addressed.
This was an announced, targeted inspection on 24 February 2021. It focused on infection prevention and control during the COVID-19 pandemic, rather than the full range of care provided.
The inspection followed concerns received in January 2021 about infection control. The report says these concerns were immediately addressed and rectified by the provider.
Inspectors were assured about visitor safety, social distancing, admissions, personal protective equipment, testing, cleanliness, outbreak planning and the infection-control policy. People were also supported to keep in touch with families and stay active safely.
The home was inspected but not rated. This report does not give an overall quality rating or a separate rating for most of the five CQC questions.
Infection-control measures
Inspectors were assured that the home had arrangements covering visitors, social distancing, admissions, PPE, testing, hygiene and outbreak management.
“We were assured that the provider was using PPE effectively and safely.” from the report
Support during self-isolation
People who had to self-isolate were monitored, including their food, drink and health. Staff had guidance about when to seek extra medical help.
“Where people had to self-isolate after testing COVID-19 positive, their individual risks and needs were reviewed and closely monitored.” from the report
Keeping people connected
People were supported to use technology to contact families and to continue activities and community links safely.
“People were supported to use technology to communicate with their families, to continue enjoying activities which were previously held in the home and to remain active participants of the local community groups.” from the report
Earlier infection-control concerns
minorThe CQC received concerns about infection control in January 2021. The report says the provider addressed and rectified them immediately before this inspection.
“We received information of concern about infection control and prevention measures at this service in January 2021.” from the report
- 01What changes were made after the infection-control concerns received in January 2021?
- 02How are visitors, PPE, testing and social distancing managed now?
- 03How would you support my relative if they needed to self-isolate?
- 04How can my relative keep in touch with family and continue activities if infection restrictions return?
- 05What are the home's current arrangements for obtaining clinical support during an infection outbreak?
This was a targeted follow-up inspection of infection prevention and control during the COVID-19 pandemic; it was not a full inspection and the service was inspected but not rated. This explanation was written from the published report of 11 March 2021 by an AI system and checked against the report text: every quoted line appears in the report. It is a guide to the report, not a substitute for it. Read the full report on cqc.org.uk.
What inspectors found, December 2018
33 Blanford Road was rated Good overall, with Outstanding responsive care and no significant shortfalls reported.
The inspection was unannounced and took place on 11 September 2018. One inspector observed care, spoke with one resident, the managers and three staff, and later spoke with three relatives. The inspector also checked care plans, medicines records, risk assessments, accidents, complaints and quality checks.
The home was rated Good for safety, effectiveness, caring and leadership. Inspectors found suitable staffing, safe medicines handling, trained staff, respect for people's rights and good healthcare support.
Responsive care was rated Outstanding. Inspectors found highly personal care plans, flexible activities, strong support for communication and independence, and excellent involvement of residents and families in decisions about the home.
The overall Good rating means the home met the required standards at this inspection. It had remained Good since the previous inspection in May 2016, although responsive care had improved to Outstanding.
Personalised care
Care plans were detailed, regularly reviewed and based on each person's communication, history, preferences and goals. People were involved in decisions about their rooms and daily lives.
“Care plans were highly person centred.” from the report
Activities and independence
People were supported to take part in activities that mattered to them, use technology, connect with the community and develop their interests.
“People were offered a wide variety of flexible and interesting activities that were meaningful to them as individuals.” from the report
Communication support
Staff understood different ways people communicated, including facial expressions, gestures, pictures and technology. This helped people make choices and show when they needed support.
“Staff were exceptionally skilled at communicating with people and recognising their individual behavioural triggers” from the report
Safety and medicines
Staffing was sufficient, recruitment checks were completed and medicines records had no gaps. Risks, accidents and emergencies were reviewed and managed.
“All medicine administration records had been filled out correctly and with no gaps.” from the report
Involvement in the home
People and families were encouraged to shape the service through meetings, feedback, newsletters and a committee involving people from different services.
“People could play an active role in the organisation of the service and the provider's care” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How are each person's communication methods recorded and kept up to date?
- 02How are current staffing levels decided for people who need one-to-one support?
- 03How are families involved in care plan reviews and meetings about specialised care?
- 04What activities and community opportunities are currently available for each person?
- 05How do people living in the home take part in quality checks and decisions about improvements?
This was an unannounced inspection covering all five key questions and the overall rating; inspectors observed care, reviewed records and spoke directly with only one resident. This explanation was written from the published report of 12 December 2018 by an AI system and checked against the report text: every quoted line appears in the report. It is a guide to the report, not a substitute for it. Read the full report on cqc.org.uk.
Every inspection of 33 Blanford Road
2 rated inspections over 2 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- March 2021Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- December 2018Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: OutstandingWell-led: Good
- August 2016GoodSafe: GoodEffective: Requires improvementCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- January 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- July 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- February 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- January 2011
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 19 January 2011.
Ratings and report dates from the Care Quality Commission, Open Government Licence v3.0. A home can also be visited without a new rating being published, so the timeline shows published inspections.
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77 live-in carers within about an hour of Surrey
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Most charge £980 to £1,250 a week. 66 can care for a couple. 11 years' experience on average.
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