CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Birches Grove
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors were assured that the home was preventing infection through visitor arrangements, social distancing, PPE, testing, hygiene and outbreak planning. They also found that people were admitted safely and that the infection control policy was up to date.
- Effective?
- Good
- Does the care work? Training, consent, food and drink, working with GPs and nurses.
- Caring?
- Good
- Are people treated with kindness and dignity?
- Responsive?
- Good
- Is care built around the person? Care plans, activities, complaints.
- Well-led?
- Good
- Is the home run well? The manager, the culture, how problems get found and fixed.
What inspectors found, April 2021
Birches Grove was inspected but not rated; inspectors found good infection control and safe arrangements during the COVID-19 pandemic.
This was an announced, targeted inspection on 24 March 2021. It looked at infection prevention and control in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Inspectors found that the home had suitable measures for visitors, social distancing, personal protective equipment, testing, cleaning and managing possible outbreaks. They were assured that people were admitted safely and that the infection control policy was up to date.
People were supported to keep in touch with family and friends, take part in activities and access local areas where restrictions allowed. The service was inspected but not rated, so this report does not give an overall quality rating.
Infection prevention
Inspectors were assured that the home had effective arrangements to reduce the risk of infection for people, visitors and staff.
“We were assured that the provider was making sure infection outbreaks can be effectively prevented or managed.” from the report
Safe admissions
People were tested before admission and supported to self-isolate when they arrived, including after hospital stays or family visits.
“People were admitted to the service safely, including when they returned from hospital or a visit to their family home.” from the report
Family contact
Visits and contact with relatives were adapted to follow visiting guidance and lockdown restrictions. People continued to use telephone and video calls.
“People spoke with their friends and relatives regularly, by telephone and via video calls.” from the report
Support and activities
People were supported to go for walks and drives when permitted, and to take part in online, craft and domestic activities.
“People enjoyed being part of an online art activity club and were involved in craft and domestic activities within the service.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How are visits from relatives and visits to family homes managed now?
- 02What testing and self-isolation arrangements are used when someone is admitted or returns from hospital?
- 03How are people supported to keep in touch with family and friends if face-to-face visits are restricted?
- 04How does the home keep staff updated when infection control guidance changes?
- 05How are people supported to access activities and local walks or drives under current arrangements?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control during the COVID-19 pandemic; the service was inspected but not rated and the report does not assess all areas of care. This explanation was written from the published report of 2 April 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, June 2019
Rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and person-centred care, with all five areas rated Good.
This was a planned inspection on 3 June 2019. One inspector reviewed the service's records, watched how staff supported people, spoke with three people and staff, and contacted three health and social care professionals.
The home supports up to four adults with a learning disability and was full when inspected. Inspectors found people were safe, medicines were managed properly, risks were reviewed, and staff had suitable training and support.
People were treated with kindness and respect. They were involved in decisions, supported to make choices, access activities, work and use health services. The home had systems for complaints, quality checks and learning from incidents. It was rated Good in every area, the same as at the previous inspection in 2016.
Safe support
Risks were recorded with clear guidance for staff. Medicines and accidents were monitored, and the home had enough regular staff.
“People's risks surrounding their well-being or individual conditions, had been assessed and reviewed regularly.” from the report
Choice and independence
People were involved in decisions about their care and supported to live their lives as they wished, including attending activities and continuing employment.
“People were supported to access activities of their choice, such as art classes or continuing with their employment.” from the report
Kind and respectful care
Inspectors observed good relationships between staff and people. Staff supported privacy, dignity, communication and independence.
“People were supported and treated with dignity and respect; and involved as partners in their care.” from the report
Personalised care planning
Care plans described people's goals, preferences and support needs. They were reviewed regularly and staff knew the information.
“People's care plans were current, detailed and reviewed regularly.” from the report
Open management
The home had regular audits, listened to people and staff, and used learning from other services to improve practice.
“There was an open, transparent and positive culture promoted by the team.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How would you support my relative's specific risks, and how often would their risk assessments be reviewed?
- 02If my relative takes medicines independently, what supervision and checks would be provided?
- 03What activities, work or community opportunities could my relative choose from?
- 04How would you involve my relative and our family in writing and reviewing their care plan?
- 05What training have staff completed for my relative's particular health and communication needs?
This was a planned inspection covering all five CQC questions, including the care provided and the care home environment. This explanation was written from the published report of 28 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 Birches Grove
2 rated inspections over 3 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- April 2021Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- June 2019Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- December 2016GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: Requires improvementWell-led: Good
- October 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- April 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- March 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- February 2012
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 5 February 2012.
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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38 live-in carers within about an hour of Gloucestershire
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 £1,030 to £1,360 a week. 31 can care for a couple. 12 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.