CQC report explained · a nursing home
What the CQC found at Alderwood Care Home
Rated Outstanding: inspectors found the home performing exceptionally well.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors were assured that the home had safe infection prevention and control arrangements, including PPE, testing, visiting controls and safe admissions.
- Effective?
- Good
- This area was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
- Caring?
- Outstanding
- This area was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
- Responsive?
- Outstanding
- This area was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
- Well-led?
- Outstanding
- This area was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
What inspectors found, December 2020
Inspected but not rated; inspectors were assured that infection control measures were being followed.
This was an announced, targeted inspection on 4 November 2020. Inspectors looked only at infection prevention and control because of the COVID-19 outbreak response.
Inspectors were assured that the home was using personal protective equipment safely, following social distancing and shielding rules, and testing staff and residents. They also found that admissions included a negative COVID-19 test and 14 days of isolation in the person's room.
Visiting was restricted because of local rules. End-of-life visits were allowed with safety measures, and video calls were available for contact with family and friends.
The home was inspected but not rated. This means the inspection did not give an overall quality rating or full ratings for all five areas of care.
Infection control
Inspectors were assured that the home was using PPE effectively and safely.
“We were assured that the provider was using PPE effectively and safely.” from the report
Safe admissions
The home required a negative COVID-19 test before admission and planned for 14 days of isolation after admission.
“National admissions guidance was being followed and there was a planning structure in place” from the report
Contact with relatives
Although visiting was restricted, the home provided video calling facilities so residents could stay in contact with relatives and friends.
“Video calling facilities via various technology systems were available throughout the home to enable people to keep in constant contact with relatives and friends.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01What infection prevention and control arrangements are in place now?
- 02How are visits managed now, including visits at the end of life?
- 03How often are staff and residents tested, and what happens after a positive result?
- 04How are new residents admitted and supported during any isolation period?
- 05What is the home's latest full CQC rating for areas not covered by this inspection?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control practices only; the service was inspected but not rated and the other care areas were not assessed. This explanation was written from the published report of 5 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, May 2018
Rated Outstanding; inspectors found exceptionally caring, responsive and well-led care, with safe and effective systems rated Good.
Inspectors visited the home without warning on 22 February 2018. They spoke with people living there, visitors, staff and healthcare professionals. They reviewed care records, medicines, recruitment files, staffing information, complaints and quality checks.
The home was rated Outstanding overall. Caring, responsive and well-led were Outstanding. Safe and effective were Good. Inspectors found kind and respectful staff, personalised care, many meaningful activities, good healthcare support and strong management.
The home had 65 residents at the time and was registered for up to 65 older people, including people living with dementia and people needing nursing care. The previous rating in 2016 was Good, and inspectors found the home had continued to improve.
Kind and respectful care
Staff showed warmth, patience and compassion. They gave people time to respond and supported them to remain as independent as possible.
“People were treated with respect and their privacy and dignity was maintained.” from the report
Personalised support
Care plans recorded people's preferences, histories and support needs in detail. Staff used this information to provide individual care.
“Each care plan was personalised and reflected in comprehensive detail people's personal choices and preferences regarding how they wished to live their daily lives.” from the report
Meaningful activities
Activities were varied and linked to people's interests. Staff also adapted events so that people who could not leave their rooms could take part.
“Activities during the day were varied and person centred.” from the report
Strong leadership
The management team was visible and supportive. Staff said they felt valued, listened to and motivated.
“There was a positive, open and transparent culture where the needs of the people were at the centre of how the service was run.” from the report
Good safety systems
Inspectors found suitable systems for managing risks, medicines, staffing, recruitment and infection control.
“People were safe because staff supported them to understand how to keep safe and staff knew how to manage risk effectively.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How are people's individual interests and preferred activities recorded and kept up to date?
- 02How do you check that medicines remain safely stored, administered and recorded?
- 03How are staffing levels matched to people's changing needs, including nursing and dementia care?
- 04How are relatives involved in reviewing care plans and recording end-of-life wishes?
- 05What quality checks are carried out now, and how are people's views used to make changes?
This was an unannounced inspection of the overall service, covering accommodation, nursing and personal care and all five CQC questions. This explanation was written from the published report of 19 May 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 Alderwood Care Home
3 rated inspections over 3 years: the service has improved, from Good to Outstanding.
- December 2020Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- May 2018Outstandingup from GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: OutstandingResponsive: OutstandingWell-led: Outstanding
- September 2016Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: OutstandingWell-led: Good
- January 2015GoodSafe: Requires improvementEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- March 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- December 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- July 2011
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 15 July 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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35 live-in carers within about an hour of Essex
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. 25 can care for a couple. 10 years' experience on average.
“Not only was she professional, polite and efficient but she bought a lovely smile and laughter to my parents home.”
“She brought fun and stimulation into mums life.”
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.