CQC report explained · a nursing home
What the CQC found at Bowley Court
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
What inspectors found, February 2022
Rated Good; inspectors found safe care and positive leadership, but noted that more recruitment could give people more time for activities.
This was an unannounced focused inspection on 20 October 2021. Inspectors looked at Safe and Well-led after concerns had been received about staff culture. They found no evidence that people were at risk of harm from this concern.
People's risks were identified and reviewed. Staff understood safeguarding, medicines and infection control. There were enough staff to meet people's safety needs, although more recruitment could help staff support people to spend more time doing things they enjoyed.
The home had a new manager who was applying to register with the CQC. Staff described good morale and said the manager listened to concerns. Inspectors found checks, records and reviews were being used to monitor care and improve the service.
The overall rating remained Good. Only Safe and Well-led were inspected during this visit. The other key question ratings from the previous comprehensive inspection were carried forward.
Risk management
People's risks were identified, reviewed and reflected in care plans. Staff knew how to respond safely.
“Risks to people's health, safety and well-being were identified and regularly reviewed to manage people's changing needs.” from the report
Safe medicines
People received their medicines as prescribed. Staff had training and systems covered storage, ordering, administration and returns.
“People received their medicines as prescribed. There were systems in place for the safe management of medicines” from the report
Positive staff culture
Staff described good morale, stable teamwork and a manager who listened to their ideas and concerns.
“Staff told us there was a good morale and a stable staffing team who worked well together.” from the report
Person-centred leadership
Staff explained care before providing it, gained consent and supported people to keep in touch with family and friends.
“Staff were respectful of people's individuals needs and empowered them.” from the report
More recruitment needed
needs fixingThere were enough staff to meet people's safety needs, but the manager and provider said more recruitment was needed to give people more time for enjoyable activities.
“additional recruitment would enable staff to support people to spending more time doing things they enjoyed.” from the report
Manager registration in progress
minorThe new manager had started an application to register with the CQC, but registration had not yet been completed at the inspection.
“The new manager was in the process of registering with the Care Quality Commission.” from the report
- 01What progress has been made with recruiting staff since the inspection?
- 02How much time do people now have for activities and things they enjoy?
- 03Has the manager's application to register with the CQC been completed?
- 04How are care records, medicines and staff practice checked now?
- 05How can residents and families raise concerns, and how are those concerns followed up?
This was a focused inspection of Safe and Well-led only; the other key question ratings from the previous comprehensive inspection were used to calculate the overall rating. This explanation was written from the published report of 3 February 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, November 2020
Bowley Court rated Good; inspectors found safer medicines systems and stronger management than at the previous inspection.
This was an unannounced follow-up inspection on 03 November 2020. Two inspectors reviewed care and medicines records, staff recruitment files, management records and infection control arrangements. They spoke with six staff and three relatives, but could not speak directly with people using the service.
The home was rated Good overall, with Safe and Well-led both rated Good. Inspectors found that medicines were managed safely, risks were regularly reviewed, staffing was sufficient and infection control arrangements were effective.
The inspection followed a previous Requires Improvement rating published in July 2019. Inspectors found that improvements had been made to medicines records, quality monitoring and management systems. The other three key questions were not inspected at this visit, so their previous ratings were used in the overall rating.
Medicines managed safely
The home had introduced additional recording and auditing. Inspectors found that medicines were received, stored, given and disposed of safely.
“Medicines were received, stored, administered and disposed of safely.” from the report
Risks and staffing
Care plans and risk assessments were kept up to date. Inspectors found enough staff were available and recruitment checks were completed.
“There was enough staff to provide care and support to people which ensured people's needs could be met safely.” from the report
Infection control
Inspectors were assured that the home had arrangements for PPE, testing, social distancing, hygiene and managing possible outbreaks.
“We were assured that the provider was making sure infection outbreaks can be effectively prevented or managed.” from the report
Quality monitoring
New monitoring systems and regular meetings were being used to identify concerns and improve the service.
“The provider had developed new systems to monitor and improve the quality of the service provided.” from the report
Involving relatives
Relatives told inspectors they were consulted about care and felt listened to. The home also sent updates during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I am involved and consulted with [person's name] care plan. I feel I'm listened to.” from the report
Manager's registration was pending
minorThe new manager was still applying to register with the CQC when inspectors visited. Ask whether this process has since been completed.
“The new manager was in the process of registering with the Care Quality Commission.” from the report
- 01Has the new manager now completed their registration with the CQC?
- 02How are medicines audits checked, and what happens if a recording error is found?
- 03What was the previous rating for Effective, Caring and Responsive, and when will these areas next be reviewed?
- 04How will my relative be involved in their care plan and consulted about changes?
- 05How does the home make sure staffing levels match each person's changing needs?
This was an unannounced follow-up inspection of Safe and Well-led, including infection control; Effective, Caring and Responsive were not inspected and their previous ratings carried over. This explanation was written from the published report of 27 November 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 Bowley Court
4 rated inspections over 5 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- February 2022Goodcurrent ratingstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- November 2020Goodup from Requires improvementSafe: GoodWell-led: Good
- July 2019Requires improvementdown from GoodSafe: Requires improvementWell-led: Requires improvement
- September 2016GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- August 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- May 2013
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 10 May 2013.
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.