CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Alexandra House
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
What inspectors found, February 2022
Alexandra House was inspected but not rated; inspectors found good infection control, visiting arrangements and cleanliness.
This was a planned, announced inspection on 15 February 2022. It was a targeted inspection during the COVID-19 pandemic, looking at infection control, visiting arrangements and staffing pressures.
Inspectors found safe arrangements for visitors, including rapid testing, personal protective equipment, health checks and hand hygiene. They were assured that infection risks, admissions, testing, outbreaks and cleaning were being managed.
People said they felt safe and were positive about staff. Inspectors saw kind interactions and found that people were supported to keep in contact with loved ones.
The service was inspected but not rated. This report therefore gives findings about the areas inspected, rather than an overall quality rating.
Infection control
The home had arrangements for testing, PPE, hygiene, social distancing, admissions and managing possible outbreaks. Inspectors were assured that these measures were in place.
“We were assured that the provider was making sure infection outbreaks can be effectively prevented or managed.” from the report
Visiting arrangements
Visitors had health checks, testing and hand hygiene measures. The home adapted its visiting arrangements and helped people keep contact with loved ones.
“People were supported to maintain contact with their loved ones during the COVID-19 pandemic.” from the report
Cleanliness
The home was clean and tidy. Cleaning schedules covered high-touch areas and deep cleaning, with supplies and checks maintained.
“The home was a good standard of cleanliness.” from the report
People felt safe
People told inspectors they felt safe and spoke positively about staff. Inspectors also observed kind interactions.
“People told us they happy and felt safe living at Alexandra House.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How would staffing pressures affect the care and support provided if there were more COVID-19-related staff absences?
- 02How are visiting arrangements decided for each person, and how would relatives be told if the arrangements changed?
- 03How do you make sure each person's individual needs are considered when visits take place?
- 04How often are infection control, cleaning and PPE arrangements checked, and what happens if a problem is found?
- 05How do you keep vaccination and testing records up to date for staff and visiting professionals?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control, visiting arrangements and COVID-19-related staffing pressures; the service was inspected but not rated and other areas were not assessed. This explanation was written from the published report of 24 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, June 2019
Alexandra House was rated Good in every area; inspectors found safe, kind and personalised care, with advance care planning still being developed.
This was the home's first inspection. It was unannounced and took place on 29 April and 1 May 2019. Inspectors spoke with people, relatives, visitors, staff and health professionals. They also observed care and checked care, medicine, staffing, recruitment and management records.
Inspectors found people were safe. There were enough staff, medicines were managed safely, risks were reviewed, and the building was clean and well maintained. Staff received training and recruitment checks were completed.
People received individual care and were treated with kindness, dignity and respect. Food met people's preferences and dietary needs. People could join activities, visit local places and raise concerns. The home was described as well run, with systems to check quality and make improvements.
The overall rating was Good, as were the ratings for Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. This was the first inspection since the service registered, so there was no previous rating to compare with.
Safe staffing and medicines
Inspectors found enough staff to meet people's needs and saw that medicines were stored, administered and checked safely.
“There were enough staff on duty to ensure people were safe and had their needs met.” from the report
Kind and respectful care
People were treated with dignity and respect. Staff supported people tactfully and encouraged them to do what they could for themselves.
“All the interactions we observed were kind and caring. This came across as natural rather than forced.” from the report
Personalised support
Care plans included people's needs, preferences and communication requirements. Staff reviewed them and followed them in practice.
“Care plans reflected people's individual needs and preferences. They had been devised in consultation with people and where appropriate their relatives.” from the report
Good food and health support
People had a choice of appetising food, with snacks and drinks available. Staff noticed changes in health and contacted health professionals promptly.
“People had a choice of appetising, well-presented meals.” from the report
Strong management and quality checks
The home had clear leadership, a positive atmosphere and robust checks covering areas such as medicines, care planning, infection control and risks.
“There were robust systems for quality monitoring and improvement.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How do you make sure the current staffing levels are enough for my relative's needs, including at night?
- 02How far has advance care planning progressed, and how will you record and review my relative's end of life wishes?
- 03The report says nursing care was not provided. What care can you offer if my relative later needs nursing support?
- 04How would you support a person living with dementia to recognise their bedroom and communicate their needs?
- 05How are relatives involved in reviewing care plans and decisions about care?
This was an unannounced planned inspection covering all five CQC questions; the service was not providing personal care in its extra care housing at the time. This explanation was written from the published report of 26 June 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 Alexandra House
Each visit the CQC has published, newest first, back to the day the home was registered.
- February 2022Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- June 2019GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- May 2018
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 1 May 2018.
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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37 live-in carers within about an hour of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole
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 £1,000 to £1,340 a week. 26 can care for a couple. 11 years' experience on average.
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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.