CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Beamish Residential Care Home
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors found enough staff, safe medicine systems, regular risk reviews and good infection control. They recommended clearer guidance for using 'when required' medicines.
- Effective?
- Good
- This question was not inspected during this visit. Its rating was carried over from the previous inspection.
- Caring?
- Good
- This question was not inspected during this visit. The report records positive feedback about staff's kindness, patience and relationships with people.
- Responsive?
- Good
- This question was not inspected during this visit. The report says care records gave staff guidance to provide person-centred support.
- Well-led?
- Good
- Inspectors found effective quality checks, clear management oversight and good communication with people, relatives and staff. They recommended reviewing the use of shared rooms to protect privacy and dignity.
What inspectors found, April 2023
Rated Good; inspectors found safe staffing, kind care and two areas needing review.
The inspection was unannounced. One inspector and an Expert by Experience visited on 28 March 2023, with inspection activity continuing until 5 April. They spoke with people, relatives, staff and health and social care professionals. They also observed care and checked infection control.
The home was rated Good overall. Safe and well-led were both rated Good. Inspectors found enough staff, safe medicine systems, suitable risk checks and good infection control. Staff knew how to protect people from abuse and worked with other professionals when people's health needs changed.
People and relatives spoke positively about staff. They described staff as kind, patient and approachable. Inspectors made recommendations about guidance for 'when required' medicines and reviewing the use of a shared bedroom to protect privacy and dignity. The report says the overall Good rating remained the same as at the previous inspection in 2017.
Enough staff
Inspectors found there were enough staff to support people safely and promptly. They also found that new staff had appropriate recruitment checks.
“There were sufficient staff to support people safely. Staff met people's needs promptly and were unhurried when assisting them.” from the report
Kind and respectful staff
People and relatives described staff as compassionate, friendly and patient. Inspectors found that staff knew people well and supported them discreetly.
“Staff are incredibly compassionate and they are absolutely brilliant with residents. They are good at building relationships and are always friendly and always approachable, absolutely kind and patient.” from the report
Safe care systems
The home had systems for managing risks, safeguarding people, handling incidents and controlling infections. Staff also contacted health professionals when people's needs changed.
“Systems to manage risks to people's health, safety and well-being were well-managed.” from the report
Good management oversight
Inspectors found regular audits and clear oversight from the management team. Improvements identified through checks were acted on.
“The registered manager had clear and effective oversight of the service.” from the report
Guidance for 'when required' medicines
needs fixingMedicine care plans did not explain clearly when 'when required' medicines should be given, including medicines for agitation or distress. Inspectors made a recommendation for clearer protocols.
“They did not provide guidance about when to administer 'when required' medicines.” from the report
Shared bedroom
needs fixingInspectors said the use of a shared bedroom did not promote people's privacy and dignity, particularly where a person could not agree to sharing. They recommended reviewing its use.
“We have made a recommendation to review the use of any shared rooms, in order to promote people's rights to privacy and dignity.” from the report
- 01What written guidance do staff now follow for giving 'when required' medicines, including medicines for agitation or distress?
- 02How is the shared bedroom being reviewed, and how will the home protect a person's privacy and dignity if it is used?
- 03How will you tell us if our relative's health needs change, or if their medicines change?
- 04How many staff are normally on duty for the number of people living here?
- 05What audits or checks are currently being used to identify and act on improvements?
This was a focused inspection of Safe and Well-led, including infection control; the other ratings were carried over from the previous inspection. This explanation was written from the published report of 20 April 2023 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 2020
Beamish Residential Care Home was inspected but not rated; inspectors were assured about infection prevention and control.
This was an announced, targeted inspection on 14 August 2020. It focused only on infection prevention and control during the coronavirus pandemic.
Inspectors found good practice. Staff had guidance about coronavirus, visitors were restricted, the home environment had been changed, and staff worked with the local GP surgery.
Inspectors were assured about the use of protective equipment, testing, social distancing, admissions, cleanliness and managing possible outbreaks. The home was not given an overall quality rating.
Coronavirus planning
The provider and manager had used several sources of information to guide their coronavirus arrangements. Staff received updates through notices, meetings, handovers and support during shifts.
“The registered manager and the provider had researched COVID19 using a variety of resources to ensure they met best practice requirements.” from the report
Reducing infection risks
Staff had considered different parts of care in the home and taken steps to reduce coronavirus risks.
“Staff had thought through all aspects of people's care in the home and taken steps to reduce the risks of COVID-19.” from the report
Working with the GP
The home had started weekly updates with the local GP surgery to support joint working.
“Staff had initiated regular weekly updates to the local GP surgery to promote good partnership working.” from the report
Infection control measures
Inspectors were assured about protective equipment, testing, hygiene, social distancing, safe admissions and outbreak management.
“We were assured that the provider's infection prevention and control policy was up to date.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01What infection prevention and control arrangements are currently in place, and how have they changed since August 2020?
- 02How are visitors currently managed, and what happens if there is an infection outbreak?
- 03How often are people living here and staff tested when testing is needed?
- 04How do staff receive updates about infection control rules and safe use of protective equipment?
- 05How does the home currently share information with the local GP surgery?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control measures only; the service was inspected but not rated overall. This explanation was written from the published report of 16 September 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 Beamish Residential Care Home
3 rated inspections over 8 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- April 2023Goodcurrent ratingSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
Read what inspectors found at Beamish Residential Care Home →
- September 2020Inspected but not ratedSafe: Inspected but not rated
Read what inspectors found at Beamish Residential Care Home →
- October 2017Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodWell-led: Good
- September 2015GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- January 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- March 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- November 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- July 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- November 2011
Report published without a new overall rating.
- January 2011
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 7 January 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.