CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Acer House Care Home
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
What inspectors found, November 2020
Inspected but not rated; inspectors found good infection control during a coronavirus outbreak, but the first-floor zoning arrangements were difficult.
This was a targeted, announced inspection on 16 November 2020. Inspectors looked at infection prevention and control because the home had a coronavirus outbreak.
The outbreak had reduced significantly by the visit. Inspectors were assured that staff were using protective equipment safely, following hygiene measures, arranging testing and managing visitors. The home was clean and staff understood how to reduce infection risks.
The home had stopped visits during the outbreak and was not admitting new people without a negative test. Inspectors noted that isolating people on the first floor was difficult because of the complex needs of the people living there.
The home was inspected but not rated at this visit. The previous Safe rating was Good, but inspectors did not review the whole question of Safe.
Staff PPE and hand hygiene
Staff had infection control training and were seen using suitable PPE. They changed PPE between rooms and received regular reminders about safe use.
“We saw staff wearing appropriate PPE and changing their PPE when moving from room to room.” from the report
Clean environment
Inspectors found the environment clean and well kept. The home had added cleaning measures during the outbreak.
“Staff we spoke with were confident and knowledgeable about how to protect people from the risk of infection and the environment was clean and well kept.” from the report
Contact with relatives
Although visits had stopped during the outbreak, staff helped people keep in touch using phones and technology. Relatives were also supported to see someone through the entrance porch.
“We support people to use phones and other technology to keep in touch” from the report
Difficult isolation on the first floor
needs fixingThe home could separate floors, but it was difficult to use a zoning system on the first floor because of people's complex needs. Ask how this is managed now.
“it was difficult to use a zoning system, where people could be isolated, on the first floor because of the complex needs of people living in the home.” from the report
- 01How do you now manage isolation on the first floor, where inspectors said zoning was difficult?
- 02What are your current arrangements for visits and how do you reduce the risk of infection spreading?
- 03How often are people living in the home and staff tested now?
- 04What checks are made before a new person is admitted?
- 05What has changed since the coronavirus outbreak described in this report?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control, covering only part of Safe; the previous Safe rating was Good and was not reviewed in full. This explanation was written from the published report of 28 November 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, March 2019
Rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and responsive care, with staff training and some legal reviews still being updated.
This was an unannounced inspection on 10 December 2018. Inspectors spoke with people living in the home, visitors, managers and staff. They observed care and checked care records, medicine records, training, staffing, complaints and quality checks.
The home was rated Good overall and Good in all five areas: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. People and relatives spoke positively about the care. Inspectors found that staff knew people's needs, treated them kindly and provided safe medicines, food and support.
The home had improved its quality checking system and was using it consistently. However, staff training was still being updated, and a review of Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards applications was overdue. Inspectors later received information showing that further quality checks had been completed.
Safe medicines
Inspectors found that medicines were stored, given and disposed of safely. Records showed whether medicines had been given as prescribed.
“Medicines were stored, administered and disposed of safely.” from the report
Kind relationships
Staff were seen treating people with respect and patience. The atmosphere was described as warm, relaxed and calm.
“All the interactions we observed between staff and the people at the home were positive and friendly.” from the report
Activities and wellbeing
People could choose from a wide range of activities, including films, music, outings, exercise, religious services and creative activities.
“There was a seven day 'wellbeing and activity programme'.” from the report
People's views
People and their relatives could influence care and how the home was run through care planning, meetings and surveys.
“People and their families and friends were able to influence the way the service was run.” from the report
Training still being updated
needs fixingThe staff training programme was not yet complete. The home had started a three-month plan to update training in health and safety and care-related subjects.
“The staff training programme in subjects relevant to people's needs was in the process of being updated.” from the report
Overdue legal reviews
needs fixingThe manager said a review of all Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards applications was overdue. This was needed to check that care and any restrictions were being delivered properly.
“the registered manager told us that a review of all DoLS applications was overdue to ensure that the care and support, including any restrictions of liberty for people who lived at Acer House, was properly delivered.” from the report
Some audits not seen during the visit
minorInspectors did not see all formal audits during the inspection, including checks on care planning and staffing. The home later sent information showing these checks had been completed regularly.
“At this visit we did not see all of the formal audits in relation to different areas of how the service was run.” from the report
- 01Has the three-month plan to update staff training been completed, and which subjects are still outstanding?
- 02Have all overdue Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards applications now been reviewed?
- 03How does the home check that staff training has been put into practice, including manual handling training?
- 04How often are care planning, staffing and other quality audits completed, and can families see the latest action plan?
- 05How are people's views about food, activities and care collected and acted on now?
This was an unannounced inspection of the overall service, including care, accommodation, medicines, staffing, records and quality systems, and it checked all five CQC questions. This explanation was written from the published report of 8 March 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 Acer House Care Home
3 rated inspections over 4 years: the service has improved, from Requires improvement to Good.
- November 2020Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- March 2019Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- July 2016Goodup from Requires improvementSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- July 2015Requires improvementSafe: Requires improvementEffective: Requires improvementCaring: GoodResponsive: Requires improvementWell-led: Requires improvement
- May 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- May 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- August 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- October 2011
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 14 October 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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23 live-in carers within about an hour of North Somerset
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 £1,050 to £1,320 a week. 19 can care for a couple. 12 years' experience on average.
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.