CQC report explained · a nursing home
What the CQC found at Aycliffe Care Home
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors were assured that the home was preventing infections, using protective equipment safely, arranging testing and managing admissions and outbreaks. Infection prevention policies and risk assessments were in place.
- Effective?
- Good
- This inspection did not assess the effective question.
- Caring?
- Good
- This inspection did not assess the caring question.
- Responsive?
- Good
- This inspection did not assess the responsive question.
- Well-led?
- Good
- This inspection did not assess the well-led question.
What inspectors found, December 2020
Aycliffe Care Home was inspected but not rated; inspectors found strong infection prevention and control arrangements.
Inspectors visited the home on 24 November 2020. The visit was announced and focused on infection prevention and control during the coronavirus pandemic.
They found systems to screen visitors, use protective equipment, carry out testing and manage admissions safely. People were isolated when needed, and staff had infection control training.
The home supported social distancing and increased one-to-one activities. People were also helped to keep in touch with relatives by telephone and video. The home was inspected but not rated, so this report does not give an overall quality rating.
Infection control training and equipment
Staff had infection prevention training, used protective equipment correctly and had enough supplies available.
“Staff had undertaken training in infection prevention and control (IPC). Staff were seen wearing appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).” from the report
Safe visiting and admissions
Visitors were screened, admissions were managed safely and people were isolated when needed.
“Systems were in place to admit people safely into the home. People were isolated when needed.” from the report
Support for wellbeing
The home increased one-to-one activities and helped people keep in contact with friends and relatives while social contact was restricted.
“One to one activities with people had increased to engage people and to minimise social isolation.” from the report
Testing and outbreak planning
People and staff took part in regular coronavirus testing. The home had policies and risk assessments for preventing and managing outbreaks.
“People and staff were regularly taking part in the Covid-19 testing programme.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How are visitors currently screened and supported to prevent infection?
- 02How often are people and staff tested now, and what happens if someone has a positive result?
- 03How would you manage an infection outbreak, and when would residents need to be isolated?
- 04How will my relative keep in touch with family if visiting is restricted?
- 05When was the home last fully assessed on caring, responsiveness, effectiveness and leadership?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control practices only; the service was inspected but not rated and the other four questions were not assessed. This explanation was written from the published report of 19 December 2020 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, January 2020
Aycliffe Care Home was rated Good overall; inspectors found kind, safe care, but staffing responsiveness and complaint records needed review.
This was an unannounced inspection on 12 and 19 December 2019. Inspectors spoke with four people, six relatives, staff and managers. They also reviewed care plans, medicine records, training information and management records.
The home was supporting 49 people, with space for up to 54. Inspectors rated all five areas Good. They found safe recruitment, clean premises, suitable care plans, accurate medicines records, kind care and a varied activities programme.
There were two areas for improvement. Feedback about staffing levels and how quickly staff responded was mixed. Two relatives felt their concerns had not been resolved, and actions taken were not always recorded. The manager acted on these concerns during and after the inspection.
Safe medicines management
Medicines were given as prescribed and records were complete. Instructions were clear for medicines given only when needed.
“Medicines were managed safely. People who received ' when required' medicines had clear instructions in place for staff to follow.” from the report
Kind and respectful care
People were treated with kindness and dignity. Staff supported relationships, personal beliefs and independence.
“Staff treated people with kindness and respect at all times.” from the report
Food and drink
Inspectors found that people received enough to eat and drink, with a varied and balanced choice of food.
“People's nutrition and hydration needs were met. People were provided with a varied and nutritionally balanced diet.” from the report
Activities and community links
People had access to activities inside the home and in the community. Inspectors found that people enjoyed the activities available.
“People were supported to take part in a varied range of meaningful activities inside the home and in the community.” from the report
Staff response times
needs fixingFeedback about staffing and response times was mixed. Some people said they waited a long time or found staff difficult to get.
“some people felt they had to wait a long time for staff to respond.” from the report
Complaint records
needs fixingTwo relatives felt their concerns had not been resolved. The manager explained what had been done, but the actions and outcomes had not always been recorded.
“People's complaints were responded to by the registered manager. Actions taken were not always recorded.” from the report
- 01How have you reviewed staffing levels against each person's current needs?
- 02How quickly should staff respond when someone uses the call system or asks for help?
- 03How are complaints, actions taken and outcomes recorded now?
- 04What activities are available for someone with my relative's interests, communication needs or level of independence?
- 05How are changes in a person's health or care needs reflected in their care plan?
This was an unannounced inspection covering all five CQC questions, including the premises and the care provided. This explanation was written from the published report of 22 January 2020 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 Aycliffe Care Home
3 rated inspections over 5 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- December 2020Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- January 2020Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- May 2017Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- May 2015GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- December 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- May 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- November 2011
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 1 November 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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47 live-in carers within about an hour of County Durham
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 £960 to £1,210 a week. 42 can care for a couple. 10 years' experience on average.
“Petty introduced herself to Mum every time she was caring for her and responded very quickly to Mum if she was distressed in 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.