CQC report explained · a nursing home
What the CQC found at Bon Accord
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- People were protected from abuse and avoidable harm. Inspectors found enough suitable staff, safe medicines, appropriate risk management and effective infection control.
- Effective?
- Good
- Staff assessed people's needs, received training and supported people with food, drink and healthcare. The home followed the Mental Capacity Act when people needed help with decisions.
- Caring?
- Good
- People and relatives spoke highly of the staff's kindness and care. Staff respected privacy, dignity, independence, beliefs and people's involvement in decisions.
- Responsive?
- Good
- Care plans reflected people's needs, choices and communication needs. People were supported with activities, community visits and contact with important relationships.
- Well-led?
- Requires improvement
- People and staff described the manager positively, but quality monitoring did not reliably identify gaps in records, care plans and safety practice. The manager said action had been taken after the inspection.
What inspectors found, July 2023
Rated Good overall; inspectors found kind, safe care, but the home's leadership and checks need improvement.
This was the first inspection since the home was newly registered with the CQC. It was unannounced and took place on 28 February 2023. Two inspectors spoke with people, relatives and staff, observed care, and checked care plans, staff records and other management records.
The home was rated Good for Safe, Effective, Caring and Responsive. Inspectors found enough staff, safe medicines, suitable risk assessments, good support with food and healthcare, and care that reflected people's choices and needs.
Well-led was rated Requires Improvement. Quality checks were not consistent enough to identify some gaps in records, some care plans without enough personal detail and a risk assessment for a portable heater that staff were not following. The manager said action had been taken after the inspection.
The overall rating was Good. This was the first inspection of the newly registered service. The previous provider's rating was Good, published on 19 January 2019.
Kind and respectful staff
People and relatives described staff as kind, caring and attentive. Staff knew people well and respected their privacy, dignity and beliefs.
“People spoke highly of the caring attitude of staff.” from the report
Safe care and medicines
Inspectors found that risks were assessed and managed, medicines were given safely and staff understood how to protect people from abuse.
“People were receiving their medicines safely as prescribed.” from the report
Enough trained staff
People said staff responded quickly when help was needed. Staff had training, induction and support for their roles.
“There were enough suitable staff to support people's needs.” from the report
Personalised support
Care plans included people's choices and preferences. Staff supported activities, community visits and relationships that mattered to people.
“People were receiving a personalised service from staff who knew them well.” from the report
Management checks and records
needs fixingQuality monitoring did not always identify gaps in records or care plans that lacked personal detail. Inspectors also found that a portable heater risk assessment was not being followed, although staff acted immediately to maintain safety.
“Some gaps in records had not been identified, and some care plans lacked personalised detail.” from the report
- 01What checks are now being carried out to make sure records and care plans are complete and personalised?
- 02What action was taken about the portable heater risk assessment, and how is the home checking that staff follow it?
- 03How are you making sure the improvements reported after the inspection have been maintained?
- 04What improvements have been made to the heating system, particularly in areas that were reported to be cold?
This was an unannounced first inspection of the newly registered service, covering all five CQC questions and infection prevention and control; the previous provider's Good rating was published in 2019. This explanation was written from the published report of 5 July 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.
Every inspection of Bon Accord
Each visit the CQC has published, newest first, back to the day the home was registered.
- July 2023Goodcurrent ratingSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Requires improvement
- May 2022
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 3 May 2022.
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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46 live-in carers within about an hour of Brighton and Hove
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 £1,020 to £1,280 a week. 37 can care for a couple. 10 years' experience on average.
“Lottie showed incredible patience and empathy, adapting her routine to fit in with Mum's moods. Most importantly, Lottie's cheerful manner helped Mum to get some enjoyment out of life.”
“He was infinitely patient with them and got on very well with us to the extent that we now regard him as a personal friend.”
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.