CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at 50 Vassall Road
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
What inspectors found, December 2020
Inspected but not rated; inspectors were assured that infection prevention and control arrangements kept people safe.
Inspectors visited on 20 November 2020 as part of a national review of infection prevention and control. The visit was announced and focused on whether the home was meeting the relevant legal requirements.
They found signs about hand hygiene and social distancing, visitor temperature checks, test and trace records, safe use of masks and other protective equipment, regular testing, and cleaning records. People were supported to stay in contact with loved ones.
The home was inspected but not rated. The inspection found it was following safe infection prevention and control procedures, but it did not provide an overall quality rating or ratings for the other areas of care.
Visitor safety
Visitors received information about safety measures, had their temperatures checked and provided details for test and trace purposes. A separate entrance reduced movement through the home.
“Visitors were shown an advice sheet, describing the measures in place to minimise the risk of transmission and to keep people safe.” from the report
Protective equipment
The home had a designated area for putting on and removing protective equipment. Staff wore masks in the house and there were no reported supply concerns.
“There was a designated area for donning and doffing PPE.” from the report
Contact with loved ones
People's wellbeing was supported through phone calls and outdoor visits when the weather allowed.
“People's wellbeing was supported by maintaining contact with loved ones through phone calls and outside visits when weather allowed.” from the report
Testing and cleaning
Staff and people living in the home were tested regularly. Cleaning schedules and signed records were in place.
“Testing of staff and people in the home was undertaken regularly to ensure any cases of Covid were identified and action taken accordingly.” from the report
Zoning could be difficult
minorInspectors said isolating and separating areas could be challenging because of the building and people's needs. The home had a plan to manage this if an outbreak occurred.
“Isolating and zoning was challenging within the building given people's needs and the set up of the house, however there was a plan in place to manage this, in the event of an outbreak.” from the report
Further development identified
minorInspectors signposted the provider to resources to develop its infection prevention and control approach. The report does not say exactly what needed developing.
“We have also signposted the provider to resources to develop their approach.” from the report
- 01How would you isolate and zone people safely if there was an outbreak, given the layout of the home?
- 02What infection prevention and control resources did inspectors signpost you to, and what changes have you made since the inspection?
- 03How are visitors currently screened and kept separate from people living in the home?
- 04How often are staff and people living in the home tested when there is an infection concern?
- 05How do you help people maintain contact with their loved ones when outdoor visits are not possible?
This was an announced thematic review focused on infection prevention and control; the service was inspected but not rated and the report does not give ratings for the other areas. This explanation was written from the published report of 10 December 2020 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, February 2018
50 Vassall Road was rated Outstanding overall; inspectors found safe, effective and kind care, with especially strong personalised support and leadership.
Inspectors visited the home without notice on 6 and 9 December 2017. One inspector spoke with all six people living there, staff, managers and a healthcare professional. They observed care, reviewed two people's care and records, and checked how the home was monitored.
The home was rated Good for safe, effective and caring services. People were protected from abuse, medicines were managed safely, staff understood people's health and support needs, and people were treated with kindness, privacy and respect. The home supported people to make choices and remain as independent as possible.
Responsive care and leadership were rated Outstanding. Inspectors found highly individual activities, creative support for people's wishes and strong involvement in decisions. The home had improved from its previous ratings in these two areas, while safe, effective and caring remained Good.
Personalised activities
People were supported to take part in activities and trips that matched their interests, wishes and goals. This included community groups, boat trips, holidays and activities linked to personal hobbies.
“People enjoyed full and active lives. We saw there were activities, events and tasks which were personalised to their needs, wishes and goals.” from the report
Choice and independence
People were involved in planning their care and were encouraged to make everyday choices. The home also supported some people to manage parts of their medicines and community activities more independently.
“People were very well supported to exercise choice and control of their lives.” from the report
Safe medicines support
Medicines were managed safely, with staff training, checks and clear guidance. Where people wanted to, they were supported to take greater responsibility for their own medicines.
“All medicines were stored, documented, administered and disposed of in accordance with current guidance and legislation.” from the report
Kind and respectful care
Staff knew people's individual needs well and used a calm, gentle approach. They respected privacy, dignity, equality, diversity and personal preferences.
“People were treated with care and kindness and were involved in decisions about the support they wanted to have.” from the report
Strong leadership
The home had an open and inclusive culture. The manager used audits, staff ideas and links with other organisations to improve care and people's involvement in how the home was run.
“The service culture was positive, open and enabling for people.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How would you match my relative's interests, wishes and goals to their weekly activities?
- 02How would you support my relative to make choices and become more independent, including with medicines if appropriate?
- 03What health action plan and specialist support would be put in place for my relative?
- 04If restrictions were needed, how would you check that they were lawful and the least restrictive option?
- 05How would my relative raise a complaint or concern, and how would their views be used to change their support?
This was an unannounced inspection of all five CQC questions, including observations, discussions with people and staff, checks of two people's care records and a review of the home's management systems. This explanation was written from the published report of 16 February 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 50 Vassall Road
2 rated inspections over 2 years: the service has improved, from Good to Outstanding.
- December 2020Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- February 2018Outstandingup from GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: OutstandingWell-led: Outstanding
- October 2015GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- May 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- January 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- November 2010
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 11 November 2010.
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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40 live-in carers within about an hour of Bristol, City of
These are self-employed carers on PrimeCarers, the introductory agency that runs this directory. Each has a profile with their own rates and reviews from families, and you choose who to talk to.
Most charge £1,020 to £1,300 a week. 34 can care for a couple. 11 years' experience on average.
“She became a good friend to my mother in law, chatting with her, dancing with her, knitting with her and the list goes on”
“She was very caring, kind and patient to all his needs, she built up a wondetful rapport with him, she was dedicated and was there for him through good times as well as through the tough times”
Every carer has had an enhanced DBS check in the last 18 months, ID and right-to-work checks and an online interview. Their skills and training are for you to check with them. Carers set their own rates, and who is free changes week to week.