CQC report explained · a nursing home
What the CQC found at Barnes Court Care Home
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
What inspectors found, November 2019
Barnes Court Care Home was rated Good in all five areas, with inspectors finding safe, kind and personalised care.
Inspectors made an unannounced visit on 07 October 2019. They spoke with people living in the home, a relative and staff. They observed care, checked the premises and reviewed care, medicines, recruitment and management records.
People told inspectors they felt safe and were happy with the care. The home had enough staff, managed medicines safely and assessed risks. Staff were trained and supported people with food, drink, health appointments and decisions about their care.
Inspectors found that staff treated people with dignity and respect. Care plans included people's needs, preferences and communication methods. People could take part in activities, keep relationships and raise complaints.
The overall rating was Good, and each of the five areas was also rated Good. This was the same as the previous inspection rating published on 19 September 2018.
Safe staffing and medicines
Inspectors found enough staff to meet people's needs. Medicines were administered by trained and competent staff, with regular checks.
“There were enough staff to meet people's needs.” from the report
Respect and independence
Staff were observed treating people gently and respectfully. They encouraged people to do what they could for themselves.
“Staff promoted people's independence when supporting them.” from the report
Personalised care
Care plans recorded people's needs, preferences, goals and communication methods. Plans were reviewed when needs changed.
“Care plans were in place for people that contained adequate detail regarding people's needs and were person centred.” from the report
Activities and community links
People could take part in varied activities in the home and local community. Activities were adapted for people who could not leave their beds.
“People enjoyed and took part in a wide range of activities in the home.” from the report
Open management
People, relatives and staff described the home as well managed. Audits, meetings and surveys were used to identify and act on improvements.
“An effective quality assurance process was in place.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How will you assess and manage my relative's specific physical, neurological, nursing or dementia-related risks?
- 02How many staff will be available on each unit, including when staff are absent?
- 03How will you support my relative's communication needs and keep their care plan updated?
- 04Which activities and community visits would be suitable for my relative, including if they cannot leave their room or bed?
- 05How will you involve my relative and our family in care reviews, decisions and any complaints?
This was an unannounced planned inspection covering all five key questions, the premises and the care provided; all five ratings remained Good from the previous inspection. This explanation was written from the published report of 1 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.
What inspectors found, September 2018
Barnes Court Care Home was rated Good; inspectors found safe care and improved management, with no current breaches identified.
The inspection was unannounced and took place on 28 August 2018. Inspectors spoke with people living at the home, relatives and staff. They also checked care, medicine and management records.
The inspection focused on whether the home was safe and well-led. Staffing levels were found to be suitable, medicines were managed safely, and people said staff responded quickly when they needed help.
The home had improved since the previous inspection because it now had a registered manager. The well-led rating improved from Requires Improvement to Good. The overall rating was Good.
Suitable staffing
Inspectors found enough staff to meet people's needs. People said staff responded quickly and inspectors saw staff available to help.
“We found staffing levels were appropriate to meet people's needs.” from the report
Safe medicines
Medicines were stored, given and recorded safely. Staff had training and competency checks, and managers carried out additional checks.
“Medicines were administered safely, including those liable to misuse (sometimes known as controlled drugs) and when required medicines.” from the report
Safeguarding and risk management
Staff understood safeguarding and whistleblowing procedures. Risks, accidents and incidents were reviewed, with action taken to improve safety.
“Staff had a good knowledge of safeguarding and the whistle blowing procedure and knew how to raise concerns.” from the report
Improved management
The home now had a registered manager, which addressed the management issue identified at the previous inspection.
“The home now had a registered manager and the rating has improved to Good.” from the report
Quality checks
The provider carried out regular checks and followed up action plans to make sure improvements were completed.
“Quality systems had been effective in promptly identifying and resolving issues.” from the report
Previous medicine delays
minorThere had recently been delays in receiving medicines. The report says these had been resolved through work with the local pharmacy and GP, but families may wish to check that this remains the case.
“Recent delays in receiving medicines had been resolved through joint working with the local pharmacy and GP.” from the report
- 01How do you currently monitor staffing levels, and what happens if staffing falls below the planned level?
- 02Have there been any further delays in receiving or giving medicines since the inspection?
- 03What opportunities are currently available for trips and outings?
- 04How are residents involved in choosing meals and reviewing the menus?
- 05Who is the registered manager now, and how are residents and relatives able to raise concerns?
This inspection focused on Safe and Well-led; Effective, Caring and Responsive were not assessed in this report. This explanation was written from the published report of 19 September 2018 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 Barnes Court Care Home
4 rated inspections over 5 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- November 2019Goodcurrent ratingstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- September 2018Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodWell-led: Good
- April 2017Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Requires improvement
- February 2015GoodSafe: GoodEffective: Requires improvementCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- August 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- June 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- May 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- March 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- July 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- December 2011
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 2 December 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.
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
46 live-in carers within about an hour of Sunderland
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 £950 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.