CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Argyle Park Care
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors were assured that the home managed infection risks, used PPE safely, arranged testing and followed visiting and social-distancing guidance. They also asked about measures to manage COVID-19-related staffing pressures.
- Effective?
- Good
- This question was not covered by this targeted inspection.
- Caring?
- Good
- This question was not covered by this targeted inspection.
- Responsive?
- Good
- This question was not covered by this targeted inspection.
- Well-led?
- Good
- This question was not covered by this targeted inspection.
What inspectors found, February 2022
Argyle Park Care was inspected but not rated; inspectors found good infection-control practice, with a communal bathroom floor awaiting replacement.
This was an announced, targeted inspection on 26 January 2022. It focused on infection prevention and control during COVID-19, and asked about staffing pressures.
Inspectors were assured that the home used PPE safely, arranged testing, followed visiting and social-distancing guidance, and had up-to-date infection-control policies. The home was clean and well maintained, with cleaning schedules and audits in place.
The home supported face-to-face and virtual visits, and linked with outside health professionals when needed. Inspectors noted some damage to a communal bathroom floor, but it had already been identified for replacement.
The home was inspected but not rated. This means the report gives findings about the areas checked, but does not give an overall quality rating or a rated result for most of the five questions.
Infection control
Inspectors were assured that the home had suitable infection-control policies, audits, cleaning routines and supplies of PPE.
“Infection control policies and audits helped ensure that the home adopted best practice which complied with current guidance.” from the report
Safe visiting
The home supported visits from family and friends, with checks for visitors such as health questions and evidence of a negative lateral flow test.
“The home facilitated face to face visits, in line with government guidance.” from the report
Clean environment
The home was clean and maintained, with schedules and audits intended to reduce infection risks.
“Cleaning schedules and audits were in place to help maintain cleanliness and minimise the spread of infection.” from the report
Staff training
Staff had training in infection prevention and control and in using PPE.
“Staff were trained and competent in infection prevention and control best practices and how to put on and take off PPE.” from the report
Bathroom floor damage
minorInspectors found damage to the floor of a communal bathroom. The home had already identified it for replacement.
“We did note some damage to the floor of a communal bathroom, but this had already been identified for replacement.” from the report
- 01Has the damaged communal bathroom floor now been replaced?
- 02How does the home manage COVID-19-related staffing pressures, and did these pressures affect residents’ care?
- 03What infection-control checks and audits are currently carried out?
- 04What testing and PPE arrangements are currently in place for residents, staff and visitors?
- 05How are family visits arranged now, and what checks are required?
This was an announced, targeted inspection of infection prevention and control and staffing pressures; it did not rate the other key questions or the service overall. This explanation was written from the published report of 15 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, August 2021
Argyle Park Care was rated Good overall; inspectors found kind, safe care, but records of care and support were not always accurate.
This was an unannounced inspection on 28 July 2021. Inspectors spoke with people, relatives, staff and managers. They reviewed care records, medicines records, staff files, training information and quality checks.
All five areas were rated Good: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. People and relatives described the home as warm, welcoming and safe. Staff were seen treating people with patience, kindness, dignity and respect.
The main weakness was record keeping. Inspectors were assured that people were receiving appropriate care, but records did not always show what care and support had been provided. They recommended that records should be kept accurate and up to date.
This was the first inspection under the new provider. The previous rating, under the former provider, was Requires Improvement and was published on 31 October 2019.
Safe care
Inspectors found that risks were assessed, medicines were managed safely and staffing levels were suitable. People and relatives said they felt safe.
“Medicines were managed safely. People received their medicines as prescribed.” from the report
Kind and respectful staff
Staff were patient and kind. People appeared calm and relaxed, and were supported to remain independent and make choices.
“People were treated in a person-centred way which respected their dignity and independence.” from the report
Dementia-friendly improvements
The home had been refurbished to better meet the needs of people living with dementia and other cognitive impairments. This included a safer garden and plans for clearer signs.
“The registered manager had used best practice guidance to better adapt the service to meet the needs of people living with dementia and other cognitive impairments.” from the report
Positive atmosphere
People, relatives and staff described an open, welcoming and supportive culture. Inspectors saw staff engaging with people throughout the day.
“The service had a warm and welcoming atmosphere and people were at ease in their surroundings.” from the report
Care records were incomplete
needs fixingInspectors were satisfied that people received appropriate care, but records did not always accurately show the care and support provided. The provider was asked to improve recording.
“We recommend the provider takes appropriate action to ensure staff maintain accurate and contemporaneous records regarding people's care and support.” from the report
Food and fluid records
needs fixingStaff did not always record when they had provided people with food and fluids. Families should ask how this is now checked.
“People were supported to eat and drink enough to maintain a balanced diet, in line with their needs, although staff had not always recorded when they had provided diet and fluids to people.” from the report
- 01What changes have you made to ensure care and support records are accurate and kept up to date?
- 02How do you now record and check the food and fluids each person receives?
- 03What progress has been made with the planned signage to help people living with dementia find their way around the home?
- 04Has a new activities co-ordinator been recruited, and what activities are now available?
- 05How are people and relatives involved in reviewing care plans and expressing their wishes?
This was an unannounced inspection covering all five CQC areas, including infection prevention and control, and it was the first inspection under the new provider. This explanation was written from the published report of 25 August 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 Argyle Park Care
6 rated inspections over 5 years: the service has improved, from Requires improvement to Good.
- February 2022Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- August 2021Goodup from Requires improvementSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- October 2019Requires improvementdown from GoodSafe: Requires improvementEffective: Requires improvementCaring: Requires improvementResponsive: Requires improvementWell-led: Requires improvement
- June 2017Goodup from Requires improvementSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: Requires improvementResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- December 2016Requires improvementstayed Requires improvementSafe: Requires improvementEffective: Requires improvementCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Inadequate
- July 2016Requires improvementstayed Requires improvementSafe: Requires improvementEffective: Requires improvementResponsive: Requires improvementWell-led: Requires improvement
- March 2016Requires improvementSafe: Requires improvementEffective: Requires improvementCaring: Requires improvementResponsive: Requires improvementWell-led: Requires improvement
- July 2021
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 19 July 2021.
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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