CQC report explained · a nursing home
What the CQC found at Appletree Court Care Home
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
What inspectors found, March 2021
Inspected but not rated; inspectors found good COVID-19 infection prevention and control arrangements.
This was an announced, targeted inspection on 11 March 2021. It looked only at infection prevention and control measures during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Inspectors were assured that the home was managing visitors, admissions, testing, protective equipment, social distancing, cleaning and possible outbreaks. Staff had been trained in protective equipment and infection control.
The home had temporarily stopped family visits because of a recent outbreak. Visits were expected to restart at the end of March 2021, using booked time slots. This inspection was not rated, so it does not provide a full overall quality rating.
Infection control
Inspectors found that the home was following good infection prevention and control guidance.
“We were assured that this service met good infection prevention and control guidelines as a designated care setting.” from the report
Visitor safety
The home used visitor rules, booked time slots and checks at the entrance to reduce infection risks.
“The provider was following best practice guidance in terms of ensuring visitors to the home did not introduce and spread Covid-19.” from the report
Staff training
Staff had received training in protective equipment and infection control processes.
“Staff had been appropriately trained in the use of PPE and infection control processes.” from the report
Safe admissions
The home planned rooms before new arrivals, sought COVID-19 tests after hospital stays and used a 14-day isolation period.
“A room was allocated before arrival and new residents were required to isolate for 14 days.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How are family visits arranged now, and are booked time slots or visitor rules still used?
- 02How are observations about residents' health shared with healthcare professionals now?
- 03How are staff trained and checked on the safe use of protective equipment and infection control?
- 04What is the current process for admitting someone from hospital, including testing and isolation?
- 05What is the home's current full CQC rating for areas not covered by this inspection?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control under Safe; the other areas were not assessed and no overall rating was given. This explanation was written from the published report of 31 March 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.
What inspectors found, June 2019
Rated Good overall; inspectors found kind, safe and personalised care, but the dementia floor and some staff reviews needed improvement.
This was an unannounced inspection on 8 and 14 May 2019. Inspectors spoke with people living in the home, relatives, staff and a visiting health professional. They observed care and checked care records, medicines, recruitment files, audits and other documents.
The home was rated Good for Safe, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. People were protected from avoidable harm, treated with dignity and supported with personalised care. Medicines, infection control, staffing arrangements and care planning had improved.
Effective was rated Requires Improvement. The dementia floor was not designed well enough around people's needs. Staff training was in place, but staff reviews were not happening regularly enough. The home had improved since the previous inspection in June 2018 and was no longer in breach of regulations.
Risk management
Inspectors found that risks to people's health and safety were assessed and planned for, including falls, choking and moving and handling.
“Risks to people were assessed and planned for, such as moving and handling, falls, choking, nutrition and hydration and behaviours that could challenge staff.” from the report
Kind and respectful care
Staff were observed treating people warmly and compassionately. People were involved in choices about their daily routines and care.
“Throughout the inspection we observed staff treat people with kindness and engage with people in a warm and compassionate way.” from the report
Personalised support
Care plans reflected people's needs, preferences and interests. Staff knew how to support people as individuals.
“People received personalised care and support specific to their needs and preferences.” from the report
Improved management
The home had introduced more structured checks, action plans and communication meetings. Inspectors found these systems were more effective than at the previous inspection.
“There were more structured checks and systems were more effective at identifying and remedying concerns.” from the report
Dementia-friendly environment
needs fixingThe first floor, used by people living with dementia, did not have enough signage, pictorial aids or personalised memory boxes. Inspectors recommended learning more about dementia-friendly environments.
“Communal areas and corridors where some people spent much of their time were not designed to enhance people's experiences.” from the report
Staff development reviews
needs fixingStaff had opportunities to discuss their work and development, but these discussions were not taking place regularly enough. The manager said this had been identified and future dates had been booked.
“Although staff were given opportunities to review their individual work and development needs, we noted that these were not regular.” from the report
Mixed views about staffing
minorInspectors found enough staff during the inspection, but some people and relatives raised concerns about agency staff and whether there were always enough staff available.
“Some people and relatives told us they felt there was enough staff to meet their needs whilst others felt that there were issues when agency staff were used and not always enough staff available.” from the report
- 01What changes have been made to the first-floor dementia environment since this inspection?
- 02Are bedroom doors now labelled with names or photographs, and are memory boxes and other navigation aids in place?
- 03How often do staff now receive individual work and development reviews?
- 04How do you decide how many staff are needed, especially when agency staff are used?
- 05How will you make sure activities and one-to-one time meet my relative's preferences?
This was a planned, unannounced inspection covering all five CQC questions, with the ratings compared with the previous inspection published in June 2018. This explanation was written from the published report of 27 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 Appletree Court Care Home
3 rated inspections over 2 years: the service has improved, from Inadequate to Good.
- March 2021Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- June 2019Goodup from Requires improvementSafe: GoodEffective: Requires improvementCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- June 2018Requires improvementup from InadequateSafe: Requires improvementEffective: Requires improvementCaring: Requires improvementResponsive: Requires improvementWell-led: Requires improvement
- December 2017InadequateSafe: InadequateEffective: Requires improvementCaring: Requires improvementResponsive: Requires improvementWell-led: Inadequate
- November 2016
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 23 November 2016.
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
At least 100 live-in carers within about an hour of Barnet
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 £1,300 a week. 83 can care for a couple. 12 years' experience on average.
“The quality of life that she's given my parents has been priceless. The peace of mind she's given my sisters and I, through a very difficult time, has been invaluable.”
“Folasade is really kind, patient and respectful, has a fantastic sense of humour and such a positive outlook on 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.