CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Abbeyfield Winnersh
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
What inspectors found, February 2022
Inspected but not rated; inspectors found good infection control and visiting arrangements during the COVID-19 pandemic.
This was an announced, targeted inspection on 9 February 2022. Inspectors looked at infection prevention and control, visiting arrangements, and whether COVID-19 staffing pressures were affecting the home.
Inspectors were assured that the home was using personal protective equipment safely, arranging testing, admitting people safely and managing possible outbreaks. Staff and residents had risk assessments, and the building could be divided into zones if needed.
The home continued to support visits from family and friends, including during outbreaks. The service was inspected but not rated, so this report does not give an overall quality rating or a full rating for all five areas of care.
Infection control
The home followed COVID-19 guidance, used testing and personal protective equipment, and had arrangements to prevent or manage outbreaks.
“The provider followed current Government guidance to protect visitors and people living at the home from catching and spreading infection.” from the report
Safe admissions
People were tested for COVID-19 before admission, and people or staff with symptoms were tested immediately.
“People were admitted into the service safely.” from the report
Family visits
The home supported visits from friends and family, including during outbreaks, using risk assessments to manage the arrangements.
“The registered manager continued to support people to have visits from friends and family including during outbreaks of COVID-19.” from the report
Outbreak planning
The premises had been adapted so people could be separated into groups or areas if they tested positive for COVID-19.
“The provider had adapted the premises to allow for cohorting and zoning people if testing positive for COVID-19.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01What measures are currently in place to manage staffing pressures, and have these changed since the inspection?
- 02How are visitors and health professionals tested and checked before entering the home now?
- 03How would family visits be arranged during an outbreak?
- 04How would people be separated or cared for if they tested positive for COVID-19?
- 05How often are infection prevention and control risk assessments and policies reviewed?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control, visiting arrangements and COVID-19-related staffing pressures; it was not a full inspection and the service was not rated. This explanation was written from the published report of 23 February 2022 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, January 2019
Abbeyfield Winnersh was rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind care and major improvements, but communication, agency staffing and activities still needed attention.
This was an unannounced comprehensive inspection on 5 and 6 December 2018. One inspector spoke with people, relatives, staff and health and social care professionals. They observed care and activities, and checked care plans, medicines, staffing, training, complaints, recruitment and quality records.
The home was rated Good overall and Good in all five areas: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. Inspectors found that risks were assessed, medicines were managed safely, staff treated people with kindness and care plans had become clearer and more accurate.
This was the second comprehensive inspection since the home opened. The previous inspection found problems with risk assessments, care records, staff training, support for senior staff and communication. Inspectors found improvements in all these areas, although some work was still continuing.
Clearer risk management
Risk assessments and care plans had been reviewed and gave staff detailed guidance to reduce or manage identified risks. Inspectors saw staff following this guidance.
“Risks that may affect people's health and well-being were assessed and plans to mitigate those risks were in place.” from the report
Kind and respectful care
Staff were calm, patient and familiar with people's preferences and needs. Inspectors saw people being given choices and having their privacy protected.
“People received care and support from staff who were caring, compassionate and kind.” from the report
Improved leadership
The home had an experienced registered manager and systems for checking care, medicines, safety and infection control. Staff said they felt supported and able to raise concerns.
“We found an open and honest culture within the service.” from the report
Better records and communication
Care plans had been substantially rewritten and were more accurate, consistent and easier for staff to use. Communication between staff and with outside professionals had also improved.
“Records relating to people's care had been significantly improved” from the report
Communication was not always reliable
needs fixingSome relatives said they were not always told about incidents or about the need to replace toiletries and other supplies promptly. Inspectors recognised that further improvement was still needed.
“For some relatives this had included not being informed of incidents or not being informed of the need to replenish supplies such as toiletries in a timely manner.” from the report
High use of agency staff
needs fixingStaffing levels were maintained, but some staff said agency use was still quite high. The home also acknowledged significant staff turnover during the previous year.
“However, some staff did point out that this had not always been the case and the use of agency was still at quite a high level.” from the report
Activities and outdoor space
minorDaily activities were available, but some relatives wanted more outings, better use of the garden and balcony, and activities for people who did not enjoy group events.
“Within relatives written feedback there were comments about the lack of opportunities for people to go out of the home on outings, lack of progress in utilising outside space” from the report
Staff identification
minorNot all staff wore name badges, and some badges were handwritten. Relatives had raised this as helpful for identifying staff and for people living in the home.
“We noted that not all staff wore name badges and some were hand written” from the report
- 01How much are agency staff used now, and what is being done to improve staff recruitment and consistency?
- 02How will you make sure relatives are told promptly about incidents affecting their family member?
- 03How are care plans updated when a person's needs, preferences or health changes?
- 04What outings and outdoor activities are currently available, including for people who do not enjoy group activities?
- 05Do all staff wear clear name badges, including agency staff?
This was an unannounced comprehensive inspection covering all five CQC questions, the premises and the care provided. This explanation was written from the published report of 10 January 2019 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 Abbeyfield Winnersh
2 rated inspections over a year: the service has improved, from Requires improvement to Good.
- February 2022Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- January 2019Goodup from Requires improvementSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- November 2017Requires improvementSafe: Requires improvementEffective: Requires improvementCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Requires improvement
- August 2016
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 3 August 2016.
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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78 live-in carers within about an hour of Wokingham
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 £1,260 a week. 71 can care for a couple. 12 years' experience on average.
“I can truly say that Peter always put Dad at the centre of everything and I know that they found a great friendship in difficult times.”
“Not only has she looked after him beautifully, she has also been great company for him with lively conversation, kindness and humour.”
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