CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Alexandra House - Bristol
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- People felt safe and staff understood safeguarding, risk management and the Mental Capacity Act. Inspectors found suitable staffing, safe medicines management, effective infection control and regular safety checks.
- Effective?
- Good
- This key question was not inspected during this visit. Its previous rating was carried forward when calculating the overall rating.
- Caring?
- Good
- This key question was not inspected during this visit. Its previous rating was carried forward when calculating the overall rating.
- Responsive?
- Good
- This key question was not inspected during this visit. Its previous rating was carried forward when calculating the overall rating.
- Well-led?
- Outstanding
- Inspectors found exceptional leadership, strong governance and a culture focused on people's rights, inclusion, independence and quality of life. The rating improved from Good at the previous inspection.
What inspectors found, April 2023
Alexandra House - Bristol rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind, person-centred care and Outstanding leadership.
This was an unannounced inspection on 14 March 2023. One inspector spoke with people living at the home, staff, relatives and professionals. They also checked care plans, medicines records, staff files and management records.
The home was rated Good overall. Safe was rated Good. Inspectors found that people felt safe, medicines were managed properly, staffing levels were suitable and risks were assessed while respecting people's choices and rights.
Well-led was rated Outstanding, improving from Good at the previous inspection. Inspectors found strong leadership, a person-centred culture, effective checks and a clear focus on improving people's quality of life.
The inspection focused on Safe and Well-led. The other key-question ratings were not inspected and the overall rating used ratings from the previous inspection where needed.
Safe medicines
Medicines records were clear and accurate, staff training was kept up to date and medicines were reviewed with health professionals.
“People's medicines were safely managed, stored, and administered in line with good practice standards.” from the report
Strong leadership
Inspectors found well-established management, robust checks and a culture of continuous improvement.
“Governance was well embedded into the running of the service.” from the report
Community involvement
Staff helped people build skills, take part in work and contribute to activities in the local community.
“People had been empowered, were well known in the local community and were respected for the contributions they made.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How would you support my relative to make choices and take positive risks safely?
- 02How would you support my relative's personal goals, activities and involvement in the local community?
- 03How are medicines reviewed, particularly medicines prescribed as required or for distress?
- 04How will you keep us informed about changes in my relative's care and any concerns?
- 05How do you involve residents and families in reviews, feedback and decisions about the home?
This was an unannounced inspection focused on Safe, including infection control, and Well-led; the other key questions were not inspected and their previous ratings were used for the overall rating. This explanation was written from the published report of 22 April 2023 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, November 2020
Alexandra House - Bristol was inspected but not rated; inspectors found good infection control and pandemic planning.
This was an announced, targeted inspection on 30 October 2020. It looked at infection prevention and control measures during the coronavirus pandemic.
Inspectors found that people and staff were tested regularly, PPE was used safely, and staff followed infection control guidance. They were assured that the home had suitable arrangements for visitors, shielding, social distancing, admissions and managing outbreaks.
The home was inspected but not rated. This means the visit did not give an overall quality rating or a rated judgement for the other care areas.
PPE planning
The home had planned ahead and inspectors found there had been enough PPE throughout the pandemic.
“There had been good forward planning just before the pandemic started. This had meant there had been no shortage at any time of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).” from the report
Support for people at high risk
People at extreme risk were given named staff to support their daily needs, including meals and social support.
“When people had been at extreme risk they were supported in creative ways.” from the report
Managed visiting
Visits were arranged at suitable times and spaced out to reduce the risk of infection spreading between visitors.
“Visitors were booked to see people at a time that suited them and visit times were spaced out.” from the report
Staff training
Staff received early training during the pandemic and used this to help people understand how to stay safe.
“Staff had been well trained at a very early stage of the pandemic.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How often are people living at the home and staff tested for Covid-19 now?
- 02How are visits arranged, and how do you reduce infection risks for visitors and residents?
- 03How do you support people who are at extreme risk, including with meals and social contact?
- 04How do you make sure staff continue to follow the infection prevention and control policy?
- 05What extra audits and checks are currently carried out to monitor safety and quality?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control during the coronavirus pandemic; it did not assess the other care quality areas and the service was not rated. This explanation was written from the published report of 19 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.
Every inspection of Alexandra House - Bristol
5 rated inspections over 8 years: the service has improved, from Requires improvement to Good.
- April 2023Goodcurrent ratingSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Outstanding
- November 2020Inspected but not ratedSafe: Inspected but not rated
- November 2018Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodWell-led: Good
- May 2016Goodup from Requires improvementSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- October 2015Requires improvementstayed Requires improvementSafe: Requires improvementResponsive: Requires improvementWell-led: Requires improvement
- April 2015Requires improvementSafe: Requires improvementEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: Requires improvementWell-led: Requires improvement
- October 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- January 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- March 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- December 2010
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 7 December 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.
Weigh the report against the rest
Fees, photos and reviews from families
How to read CQC ratings and reports
What to check when you visit
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.