CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Birchams Grange
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors found that risks to people, equipment and the premises were assessed and reviewed, and staffing levels were sufficient. Medicines were generally managed safely, but records of topical medicines were not always accurate and complete.
- Effective?
- Good
- People's needs were assessed before they moved in and reviewed afterwards. Staff had induction, training and supervision, and people received support with food, drink, healthcare and decisions about their care.
- Caring?
- Good
- Staff treated people with kindness, dignity and respect. People were supported to make everyday choices and to express their views.
- Responsive?
- Good
- Care plans were personalised and regularly updated. People were supported with activities, communication, complaints and discussions about future and end-of-life care.
- Well-led?
- Good
- The management team used regular audits and gathered feedback from people, relatives and staff. Inspectors found an open culture and staff who felt supported.
What inspectors found, June 2019
Birchams Grange was rated Good; inspectors found kind, safe and well-organised care, but topical medicines records needed improvement.
This was an unannounced planned inspection on 15 May 2019. One inspector and an Expert by Experience spoke with people living at the home, relatives, staff and health and social care professionals. They also reviewed care files, medicines records, recruitment records, incident records and quality checks.
The home was rated Good in all five areas: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. Inspectors found enough staff, assessed care risks, suitable training, clean surroundings and support with food, drink and healthcare. People were treated with kindness, dignity and respect, and their care plans reflected their individual needs.
Inspectors found that records for applying topical medicines were not always accurate and complete. The management team said this would be addressed as a priority. The overall rating remained Good, the same as at the previous comprehensive inspection in 2016.
Enough staff
Inspectors saw enough staff on duty to respond to people's needs without unreasonable delays. Staff said the staffing levels and skills mix enabled them to provide safe care.
“We saw there were enough staff on duty to respond to people's needs and requests without unreasonable delays.” from the report
Kind and respectful care
People were treated patiently and respectfully. Staff knew people well and supported their privacy, dignity and choices.
“Staff knew the people they supported well, prioritised their needs and requests and provided their care and support in a patient, friendly manner.” from the report
Personalised support
Care plans included people's histories, preferences and key care needs. They were reviewed and updated so staff could provide individual support.
“People's care plans were individual to them, provided guidance on key aspects of their care needs, and were reviewed and updated on a regular basis to ensure they remained effective.” from the report
Positive management
The home used audits, meetings and feedback to monitor care and involve people, relatives and staff. Staff said the management team was approachable and supportive.
“The provider had quality assurance systems and processes in place to enable them to monitor and improve the quality and safety of people's care.” from the report
Topical medicines records
needs fixingRecords showing when people's topical medicines had been applied were not always accurate and complete. The management team said this would be dealt with as a priority.
“Staff did not maintain accurate and complete records regarding the application of people's topical medicines.” from the report
- 01What changes have been made to recording the application of topical medicines since the inspection?
- 02How are topical medicines records checked for accuracy and completeness now?
- 03How do you assess staffing levels when people's needs change?
- 04How often are care plans and risk assessments reviewed and updated?
- 05How are people and relatives involved in reviewing care and raising concerns?
This was an unannounced planned inspection covering all five rating areas, including the premises and care provided; the overall rating and all five area ratings were assessed. This explanation was written from the published report of 20 June 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 Birchams Grange
2 rated inspections over 3 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- June 2019Goodcurrent ratingstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- July 2016GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- May 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- July 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- October 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- December 2010
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 31 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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11 live-in carers within about an hour of Herefordshire, County of
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 £1,410 a week. 10 can care for a couple. 8 years' experience on average.
“She was very caring, kind and patient to all his needs, she built up a wondetful rapport with him, she was dedicated and was there for him through good times as well as through the tough times”
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.