CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Alliston House
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors were assured that the home was preventing and managing infection risks, using PPE safely, testing people and staff, and admitting people safely.
- Effective?
- Good
- This question was not rated in this targeted inspection.
- Caring?
- Good
- This question was not rated in this targeted inspection.
- Responsive?
- Requires improvement
- This question was not rated in this targeted inspection.
- Well-led?
- Good
- This question was not rated in this targeted inspection.
What inspectors found, June 2022
Inspected but not rated; inspectors were assured that infection controls, visiting arrangements and staffing measures were in place.
This was an unannounced, targeted inspection on 30 March and 22 April 2022. Inspectors were responding to concerns about visiting arrangements and checked infection prevention and control, as well as staffing pressures.
The inspectors found measures to screen visitors, support hand washing and PPE use, manage visiting areas and reduce infection risks. They also found COVID-19 testing, isolation arrangements and checks for new admissions.
Staff had enough PPE and had received training on COVID-19, infection control and PPE. The home was clean, and inspectors were assured that infection risks were being managed.
The home was inspected but not rated. This means the report does not give an overall quality rating or full ratings for all five areas of care.
Infection control
The home had measures for screening visitors, using PPE, testing people and staff, and managing possible outbreaks.
“We were assured that the provider was making sure infection outbreaks can be effectively prevented or managed.” from the report
Clean premises and PPE
Inspectors saw staff using PPE and social distancing. The home was clean and had dedicated areas for putting on and removing PPE.
“We observed staff wearing appropriate PPE, socially distancing, and the home was clean throughout.” from the report
Staffing during the pandemic
The provider said there had been enough staff to meet people's needs throughout the pandemic, and staff had received relevant training.
“There had always been enough staff to meet people's needs throughout the pandemic.” from the report
Visiting arrangements
Visitors were screened and supported to follow hygiene, PPE and social distancing guidance. Essential care givers could visit people in their bedrooms, while other visitors used designated pods.
“The provider had visiting arrangements in place that was in line with the government guidance and the registered manager ensured all visitors followed it.” from the report
Limited scope of the inspection
minorThis report only looked at infection prevention and control and staffing pressures. It was not a full inspection of the home, and the service was not rated.
“This was a targeted inspection looking at the infection prevention and control measures the provider has in place.” from the report
- 01How are visitors currently screened and supported when they arrive?
- 02Can essential care givers still visit people in their bedrooms, and where do other visitors meet residents?
- 03How do you check that there are enough staff to meet people's needs now?
- 04What training have staff completed on infection control and PPE?
- 05What were the home's ratings in areas not covered by this targeted inspection?
This was an unannounced targeted inspection of infection prevention and control, visiting arrangements and staffing pressures; the service was inspected but not rated. This explanation was written from the published report of 21 June 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, February 2021
Inspected but not rated; inspectors were assured that infection safety measures were being followed.
This was a targeted inspection on 27 January 2021. It looked only at how the home was preventing and controlling infections during the coronavirus pandemic.
Inspectors found the home clean and well maintained. They were assured about visitor safety, protective equipment, testing, social distancing, admissions, staff training and the management of possible outbreaks.
People could keep in touch with family and friends through window visits, telephone calls and video messaging. The inspection did not give an overall quality rating or a rating for the other four areas of care.
Clean premises
The home was clean and well maintained. Extra cleaning schedules had been introduced to reduce the risk of infection spreading.
“Additional cleaning schedules had been introduced since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic in order to minimise the risk of the spread of infection.” from the report
Testing and protective equipment
People and staff were tested in line with national guidance. Staff had training in infection control and how to use protective equipment.
“The provider had appropriate arrangements to test people and staff for COVID-19 and was following government guidance on testing.” from the report
Support for family contact
The home supported people to stay in touch with relatives and friends through window visits, telephone calls and video messaging.
“Family members and friends could stay in touch with people with window visits, and phone and video messaging.” from the report
Advice and support
The manager sought advice from outside organisations and was open to the guidance offered to help keep people safe.
“The registered manager sought support and advice from external agencies including the Clinical Commissioning Group, the local authority and Public Health England” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How are people and staff currently tested for COVID-19 or other infections?
- 02Are staff still assigned to work at one location to reduce the risk of cross infection?
- 03How often are the extra cleaning schedules reviewed and updated?
- 04How can relatives currently visit or contact people using window visits, telephone calls or video messaging?
- 05What is the current plan if there is an infection outbreak in the home?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control during the coronavirus pandemic; the service was inspected but not rated and the other care areas were not assessed. This explanation was written from the published report of 4 February 2021 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 Alliston House
4 rated inspections over 5 years: the service has improved, from Requires improvement to Good.
- June 2022Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- February 2021Inspected but not ratedSafe: Inspected but not rated
- December 2019Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: Requires improvementWell-led: Good
- June 2017Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- October 2015Goodup from Requires improvementSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- March 2015Requires improvementSafe: Requires improvementEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: Requires improvementWell-led: Good
- September 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- March 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- September 2011
Report published without a new overall rating.
- May 2011
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 26 May 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.
Weigh the report against the rest
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What to check when you visit
At least 100 live-in carers within about an hour of Waltham Forest
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 £980 to £1,200 a week. 77 can care for a couple. 11 years' experience on average.
“Sidonia is a first class live-in carer whose dedication and thoughtfulness made her stay a happy experience.”
“Charity would take Nan on holidays day trips and shopping adventures”
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.