CQC report explained · a nursing home
What the CQC found at Amber Court
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- People told inspectors they felt safe. Staffing had increased since the last inspection, medicines and risk assessments were managed appropriately, and the home was clean.
- Effective?
- Good
- People received food, drinks and healthcare support, and staff had suitable training and supervision. The displayed menu did not match the food being served.
- Caring?
- Good
- Staff were described as caring, patient and helpful. Inspectors saw respectful interactions and found that privacy, dignity, independence and personal beliefs were considered.
- Responsive?
- Good
- Care plans were personalised and reviewed with people and, where appropriate, relatives. People had choices about their daily routines and access to varied activities.
- Well-led?
- Good
- People, relatives and staff were positive about the management. The home used meetings, surveys and audits to monitor quality and respond to shortcomings.
What inspectors found, February 2019
Amber Court rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and responsive care, with a confusing menu display and some concerns about staffing levels.
Inspectors made an unannounced, comprehensive inspection visit on 10 January 2019. They spoke with people living at the home, visitors, the manager and staff. They also reviewed care and medicines records, staff records, meals, staffing and the building.
The home was rated Good in all five areas: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. Inspectors found medicines were managed safely, staff were trained, people were treated with dignity, care plans were personalised and the home was clean and maintained.
Safe improved from Required Improvement at the May 2016 inspection. The earlier concern was about staffing. Inspectors found staffing had increased and was sufficient during this inspection. There was a new registered manager, who had been in post since July 2018.
Improved staffing
Inspectors found staffing was sufficient during the visit, addressing the main concern from the previous inspection.
“During this inspection visit on 10 January 2019 we found staffing was sufficient to meet the needs of people supported.” from the report
Respectful care
Staff supported people in a friendly and attentive way while respecting their privacy, dignity and independence.
“We saw that staff interactions with people who lived at the home, visitors and other staff continued to be friendly and attentive.” from the report
Personalised support
Care plans reflected people's needs and preferences. People and relatives were involved in planning and reviews.
“We saw care plans were informative, personalised and reviewed regularly.” from the report
Activities and family contact
People had access to different social and leisure activities, and families and friends were welcome to visit.
“People told us there were frequent and varied social and leisure opportunities every day including arts and crafts, games, singing armchair exercises, pets visiting, entertainers and trips out.” from the report
Quality monitoring
The management team used audits, meetings, surveys and monitoring checks to oversee the home and make changes when problems were found.
“Where omissions or shortcomings were found actions had been taken, learnt from and changes made in response to these.” from the report
Menu information
minorThe menu displayed for the day did not match what was served. Inspectors said this was confusing for people.
“The menu for the day was on display in the hallway on a notice board but was different to what was on offer for the day.” from the report
Some concerns about staffing
needs fixingAlthough inspectors found enough staff overall, two people said more staff were needed. This is worth checking because staffing had been a concern at the previous inspection.
“However, two people felt there should be more staff available.” from the report
- 01How do you make sure staffing remains sufficient at busy times and overnight?
- 02How do you ensure the menu displayed is the same as the food being served?
- 03How will you involve my relative and our family in care plan reviews?
- 04What activities would be suitable for my relative, and how are their personal interests included?
- 05How are complaints, accidents, medicines and care plan issues checked and followed up?
This was a comprehensive inspection covering all five rating areas, and it included both the care provided and the home’s premises. This explanation was written from the published report of 26 February 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 Amber Court
2 rated inspections over 3 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- February 2019Goodcurrent ratingstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- July 2016GoodSafe: Requires improvementEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- June 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- July 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- January 2013
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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32 live-in carers within about an hour of Blackpool
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 £1,250 a week. 31 can care for a couple. 12 years' experience on average.
“Thanks to Tracy, Dad was always immaculately dressed and clean, his meals were all home cooked and nutritionally well balanced and his home was always kept really clean and tidy.”
“He developed a close affinity with Terence, spending time talking with him before he retired to bed and looking after his needs during the night.”
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.