CQC report explained · a nursing home
What the CQC found at Briar Hill House
Rated Outstanding: inspectors found the home performing exceptionally well.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors found enough staff, safe recruitment, effective safeguarding arrangements and safe medicines systems. Risks were assessed and reviewed, and lessons were learned from incidents such as falls.
- Effective?
- Good
- Staff had ongoing training and supported people with nutrition, hydration and access to health professionals. Inspectors found that consent was sought and that mental capacity and best-interest decisions were considered.
- Caring?
- Outstanding
- Staff were exceptionally kind and respectful. They understood people's histories, supported independence and involved families, advocates and people in decisions about care.
- Responsive?
- Outstanding
- Care was highly personalised and regularly reviewed. Activities, communication support, religious support and end of life care were adapted to people's individual needs and wishes.
- Well-led?
- Good
- The home had quality checks, clear staff responsibilities and regular feedback from people, relatives and staff. Inspectors found the manager approachable and the service consistently well managed.
What inspectors found, March 2019
Rated Outstanding; inspectors found exceptionally caring and personalised support, with Safe, Effective and Well-led rated Good.
Inspectors visited the home without warning on 24 January 2019. They spoke with seven people, three relatives, staff, volunteers and a health professional. They also observed care, checked five care plans, medicines records and the home's quality checks.
People told inspectors they felt safe and well cared for. There were enough staff, medicines were managed safely, the home was clean, and staff understood people's risks. Care plans were detailed and regularly reviewed. People were supported with food, drink, health appointments, communication and personal goals.
Inspectors rated Caring and Responsive Outstanding. They found staff treated people with exceptional kindness, protected their dignity and understood their individual histories, preferences and communication needs. Activities were varied and tailored to people. Safe, Effective and Well-led were rated Good, meaning the inspectors found these areas met the required standard.
The overall rating was Outstanding. The previous inspection on 28 April 2016 rated the home Good, so the overall rating improved.
Kind and respectful care
Inspectors found a strong person-focused culture. Staff protected people's dignity, offered comfort and took time to provide individual support.
“People were truly respected and valued as individuals; and empowered as partners in their care in an exceptional service” from the report
Personalised support
Staff understood people's histories, preferences and communication needs. Care plans were detailed and regularly reviewed.
“People received care which was extremely personalised and reflected their preferences.” from the report
Activities and community
The home offered varied activities, including music therapy, crafts, religious services and pet visits. These were adapted for different interests and needs.
“On the day of our inspection visit we saw a range of activities to meet differing individual needs” from the report
Safe staffing and medicines
There were enough staff, including qualified nurses for people with complex medical needs. Medicines were administered safely and on time.
“There were enough staff to ensure that people's needs were met safely.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How would you support my relative's particular health conditions, mobility needs or risks?
- 02How would you involve our family if my relative found it difficult to communicate or make decisions?
- 03Which activities would suit my relative's interests, abilities and communication needs?
- 04How are care plans, medicines and risks reviewed when a person's needs change?
- 05How would you discuss and record my relative's wishes about end of life care?
This was an unannounced scheduled inspection that looked at the home, care and all five CQC questions, using observations, discussions, records and quality checks. This explanation was written from the published report of 22 March 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 Briar Hill House
2 rated inspections over 3 years: the service has improved, from Good to Outstanding.
- March 2019Outstandingcurrent ratingup from GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: OutstandingResponsive: OutstandingWell-led: Good
- May 2016GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- September 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- November 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- March 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- December 2010
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 22 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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What to check when you visit
At least 100 live-in carers within about an hour of Staffordshire
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 £980 to £1,230 a week. 85 can care for a couple. 10 years' experience on average.
“We particularly appreciate the companionship Dawn gives in the evenings when she plays cards and Scrabble with my mother.”
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.