CQC report explained · a nursing home
What the CQC found at Bannow Retirement Home
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors found that risks, falls, medicines, safeguarding, staffing and infection control were managed safely. They found that procedures had been improved after a serious incident.
- Effective?
- Good
- This area was not assessed during this focused inspection.
- Caring?
- Good
- This area was not assessed during this focused inspection, although people and relatives told inspectors that staff were kind and caring.
- Responsive?
- Good
- This area was not assessed during this focused inspection, although inspectors heard that staff responded to changing needs.
- Well-led?
- Good
- Inspectors found effective quality checks, clear management responsibilities and an open culture where people and staff could raise concerns.
What inspectors found, May 2021
Bannow Retirement Home was rated Good; inspectors found safe care and effective management after a serious incident.
Inspectors visited on 15 April 2021. Two inspectors spoke with three people and three staff, and checked care plans, risk assessments, medicine records, staff files, policies and quality checks. They also reviewed the home’s COVID-19 infection control arrangements.
The inspection was prompted by concerns after a person died. The concerns included falls, medicines and when to seek medical help. Inspectors found that the home had reviewed its procedures, trained staff and taken action to reduce risks. They found no evidence that people were at risk of harm from these concerns during this inspection.
The home was rated Good overall. Safe and well-led were both rated Good and remained at the same level as the previous inspection. This was a focused inspection, so the other three areas were not reassessed in this report.
Learning after an incident
The home reviewed its falls, injury, recording and reporting procedures after a serious incident. Staff understood the updated guidance and later incidents were handled appropriately.
“The provider had learnt lessons from a serious incident that had occurred.” from the report
Managing falls and risks
People’s individual risks were assessed, and staff worked with health professionals to reduce the chance of further falls. Equipment was provided where needed.
“People had the equipment they needed to mobilise safely and reduce the risks of falling.” from the report
Medicines
Inspectors found that medicines were stored, administered and recorded safely. Reviews with GPs were used to check that medicines remained appropriate.
“Medication Administration Records (MAR) showed people received their medicines as prescribed and these records were completed accurately.” from the report
Staffing and management
There were enough staff to meet people’s needs safely, and recruitment checks had been completed. Managers used audits and advice from professionals to improve care.
“There were sufficient staff in place to ensure people remained safe and met their needs.” from the report
Open communication
People, relatives and staff said communication was good. Inspectors found that the manager listened, involved people and worked constructively with health and social care professionals.
“There was a culture of openness and inclusiveness.” from the report
Quality surveys had been less frequent
minorFeedback surveys for people and relatives had not taken place as often during the COVID-19 lockdown. The manager said they would resume in line with the provider’s policy.
“The registered manager confirmed that these had not been as frequent during the Covid-19 lockdown but would now continue as per the providers policy.” from the report
- 01How are staff now following the updated procedures for falls, head injuries and seeking medical help?
- 02How are medicines checked, recorded and reviewed with GPs?
- 03What staffing levels are in place on days and nights, and how are extra support needs covered?
- 04How are COVID-19 infection prevention procedures being maintained, including PPE, testing and visiting?
- 05Have quality surveys for people and relatives resumed, and how are their comments acted on?
This was a focused inspection of Safe and Well-led, including infection control; the other three ratings were not reassessed in this report and the previous overall rating was Good. This explanation was written from the published report of 1 May 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, November 2019
Rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and personalised care, with improvements since the previous Requires Improvement rating.
This was an unannounced inspection on 5 November 2019. One inspector and an Expert by Experience spoke with nine people, three relatives and seven staff. They observed care and reviewed care, medicine, staff and management records.
The inspectors found that people were safe, treated with kindness and supported by trained staff. The home met people's dietary, healthcare, communication and activity needs. Medicines, staffing, safeguarding and risk management were found to be effective.
All five areas were rated Good: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. This means the inspectors found good outcomes and consistent management at the time of the inspection. The previous overall rating was Requires Improvement, published in November 2018.
Kind and respectful care
People and relatives described staff as compassionate and considerate. Inspectors observed a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.
“People were happy with the care they received and felt relaxed around staff who treated them with compassion and kindness.” from the report
Safe staffing and risk management
There were enough staff to meet people's needs. Risks such as falls, pressure damage and moving around were assessed and monitored.
“People, their relatives and staff told us that there were enough staff to keep people safe and meet their needs.” from the report
Personalised activities
The home had improved activities and engagement, including support for people living with dementia and opportunities to go into the local community.
“We observed people engaging actively in the lounge throughout the inspection with activities and interests.” from the report
Active management and improvement
The manager used audits and feedback to improve care. Inspectors found that changes made after the previous inspection had become part of everyday practice.
“The registered manager had ensured that changes put in place following the last inspection had been embedded into practice.” from the report
Support with choice and independence
People could choose when to get up and how to spend their day. Staff encouraged people to do what they could for themselves.
“People were supported to make their own decisions about how they wanted their care.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How do you make sure the improvements to dignity in communal bathrooms are still maintained?
- 02How many staff are usually available in the mornings, and how quickly do they respond to call bells?
- 03How do you tailor activities for a person with dementia who may not want to join group activities?
- 04How are care plans updated after a hospital visit or a change in health needs?
- 05How do you check that medicines, including when-needed medicines, are given and recorded correctly?
This was a planned, unannounced inspection covering the home, the care provided and all five CQC questions; all five ratings were given at this inspection. This explanation was written from the published report of 22 November 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 Bannow Retirement Home
5 rated inspections over 4 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- May 2021Goodcurrent ratingstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- November 2019Goodup from Requires improvementSafe: GoodWell-led: Good
- November 2018Requires improvementstayed Requires improvementSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: Requires improvementResponsive: Requires improvementWell-led: Requires improvement
- February 2018Requires improvementdown from GoodSafe: Requires improvementEffective: Requires improvementCaring: Requires improvementResponsive: Requires improvementWell-led: Inadequate
- November 2016GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- December 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- November 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- June 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- February 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- December 2010
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 7 December 2010.
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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19 live-in carers within about an hour of East Sussex
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 £1,000 to £1,400 a week. 13 can care for a couple. 10 years' experience on average.
“When he point blank refused to go into hospital for a life saving blood transfusion she talked him through the situation and agreed to go in the ambulance with him and stayed until he was settled.”
“Una felt safe, secure and loved in her time with Debbie which is a gift that I am eternally grateful for.”
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.