CQC report explained · a nursing home
What the CQC found at Barrow Hall Care Centre
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors found enough staff, safe recruitment, reviewed risk assessments and safe systems for medicines and infection control. Guidance for some medicines given when needed was not always clear, and incident monitoring was being improved.
- Effective?
- Good
- This question was not inspected during this focused inspection. Its rating was carried forward from the previous inspection.
- Caring?
- Good
- This question was not inspected during this focused inspection. Its rating was carried forward from the previous inspection.
- Responsive?
- Good
- This question was not inspected during this focused inspection. Its rating was carried forward from the previous inspection.
- Well-led?
- Good
- Inspectors found effective audits and governance systems. The manager was visible and approachable, and people and staff were involved in meetings and decisions.
What inspectors found, December 2022
Rated Good; inspectors found safe, well-managed care, with some improvements still needed to medicines guidance and incident monitoring.
This was an unannounced focused inspection on 13 December 2022. One inspector and an Expert by Experience spoke with 12 people and nine staff. They reviewed care records, medicines records, staff recruitment files and management records, and observed the home.
The home was rated Good overall, with Good ratings for Safe and Well-led. Inspectors found suitable staffing, safe recruitment, regular risk assessments, safe medicines handling and systems to monitor quality. People said they felt safe and well looked after.
The inspection checked whether earlier problems had been fixed. Inspectors found enough improvement for the home to be no longer in breach of the regulations identified at the previous inspection. However, the guidance for some medicines given when needed was not always clear, and monitoring of accidents and falls was still being improved.
This was not a full review of all five CQC questions. The ratings for Effective, Caring and Responsive were carried forward from the previous inspection.
People felt safe
People told inspectors they felt safe and well looked after. Staff had safeguarding training and understood how to raise concerns.
“People we spoke with told us they felt safe at the service.” from the report
Safe staffing and recruitment
Inspectors found enough staff on each shift and checks had been completed before staff were recruited.
“There were enough staff on duty each shift to safely support people.” from the report
Risk management
Risk assessments were in place, regularly reviewed and gave staff clear guidance. The premises were maintained and safety checks were completed.
“Risk assessments were in place and reviewed regularly to minimise risks.” from the report
Good leadership
Audits covered areas such as medicines, training, care planning and health and safety. Staff said the manager was fair, approachable and listened.
“Governance processes were effective and helped to hold staff to account, keep people safe and provide good quality care and support.” from the report
People were involved
People were asked for their views through meetings and feedback systems. Suggestions were acted on.
“People were regularly asked their views on the service provided and action had been taken when suggestions were made.” from the report
Medicines given when needed
needs fixingInstructions were not always clear enough to tell staff when some as-needed medicines should be given. The provider had identified this and was working on clearer guidance.
“Where people were prescribed medicines, on an 'as required' basis, clear guidance was not always in place to ensure staff had information about when these medicines should be given.” from the report
Learning from incidents
needs fixingThe home recorded incidents and accidents, but there was limited evidence that these were analysed for patterns or lessons. Improvements were being made during the inspection.
“There was minimal evidence to support the monitoring and analysing of accidents, incidents or falls.” from the report
- 01What clearer instructions are now in place for medicines prescribed on an as-needed basis?
- 02How do you analyse accidents, incidents and falls, and how do you make sure lessons are acted on?
- 03Which ratings for Effective, Caring and Responsive were carried forward from the previous inspection?
- 04What further environmental improvements were identified in the improvement plan, and have they been completed?
- 05How can families see how people's views and suggestions are being acted on?
This was a focused inspection of Safe and Well-led; the ratings for Effective, Caring and Responsive were carried forward from the previous inspection. This explanation was written from the published report of 23 December 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, September 2019
Barrow Hall Care Centre was rated Requires Improvement; inspectors found kind, personalised care but important safety and management checks were not reliable.
This was an unannounced inspection on 8 August 2019. Two inspectors spoke with five people, staff and managers. They reviewed care, medicine, recruitment, training, safety and management records.
People were protected from abuse and there were enough suitably skilled staff. Medicines were managed safely. However, infection control in the laundry needed improvement, and an electrical safety certificate had expired. Disposable medicine pots had also run out.
Care was rated Good in the effective, caring and responsive areas. The home supported people's independence, health, choices, relationships and activities. Safe and well-led were both rated Requires Improvement because checks and audits had not identified or dealt with risks well enough.
Kind and respectful care
People said staff were caring and kind. Inspectors found that staff built positive relationships and treated people with dignity and compassion.
“People confirmed staff were caring and kind.” from the report
Support for independence
People were encouraged to build life skills and work towards personal goals. Staff supported activities such as cooking, laundry, shopping and community access.
“We encourage the development of life skills and promote independence.” from the report
Personalised support
Care plans recorded people's preferences and changing needs. Staff used this information to provide individualised support and involved people in decisions.
“People received individualised care and support from staff.” from the report
Enough trained staff
Inspectors found enough staff to meet people's needs. Recruitment checks were robust and staff training compliance was 93 percent.
“People using the service confirmed they received timely care and support.” from the report
Electrical safety check was late
seriousThe five-year electrical safety certificate had expired in June 2019. Inspectors said this placed people at risk of potential harm.
“The five-year electrical safety certificate had expired in June 2019.” from the report
Infection control problems
seriousThe laundry needed repairs to tiles, pipework and plaster so it could be cleaned effectively. Gloves were not stored securely and disposable medicine pots had run out.
“Infection control required improving in the laundry.” from the report
Management checks were not effective
seriousAudits and quality checks were in place but had not identified or prevented the safety problems. Inspectors said sufficient improvements had not been made since the previous inspection.
“Sufficient improvements to effectively monitor the safety of the service were not in place.” from the report
Mixed views about food
minorPeople's nutritional needs were assessed and supported, but feedback about the food was mixed. Some people prepared their own meals.
“People provided mixed feedback about the food.” from the report
- 01Has the five-year electrical safety check been completed, and can you show us the current certificate?
- 02What repairs were made in the laundry, and how do you now check that infection control standards are maintained?
- 03What arrangements are in place to make sure disposable medicine pots and other infection control supplies do not run out?
- 04What changes were made to the audits and action plans after this inspection, and what evidence shows they are working?
- 05How do you respond when people say the food is not meeting their preferences?
This was an unannounced inspection covering all five CQC questions, including the premises and care provided. This explanation was written from the published report of 18 September 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 Barrow Hall Care Centre
6 rated inspections over 8 years: the service has improved, from Requires improvement to Good.
- December 2022Goodcurrent ratingup from Requires improvementSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- September 2019Requires improvementstayed Requires improvementSafe: Requires improvementWell-led: Requires improvement
- September 2018Requires improvementstayed Requires improvementSafe: GoodEffective: Requires improvementCaring: GoodResponsive: Requires improvementWell-led: Requires improvement
- August 2017Requires improvementdown from GoodSafe: Requires improvementEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Requires improvement
- April 2015Goodup from Requires improvementSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- December 2014Requires improvementSafe: Requires improvementEffective: Requires improvementCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Requires improvement
- October 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- June 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- August 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- December 2010
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 9 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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32 live-in carers within about an hour of North Lincolnshire
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. 29 can care for a couple. 11 years' experience on average.
“What truly stands out is how mindful and attentive she is to all of my medical needs, always going above and beyond to ensure I’m comfortable and well cared for.”
“Martin was more than a carer, he managed the home and became my uncle's best friend, enriching his life during his last few years.”
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.