CQC report explained · a nursing home
What the CQC found at Briarwood
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
What inspectors found, February 2021
Inspected but not rated; inspectors found enough staff, safe infection control and well-managed care.
This was a targeted inspection on 13 November 2020. It followed concerns about staffing levels and checked infection prevention and control during the coronavirus pandemic, as well as parts of management.
Inspectors found enough staff to meet people's needs. They found safe recruitment and said infection control arrangements, including PPE, testing, cleaning and visitor checks, were in place. People said they felt safe and spoke positively about staff and management.
The home was managed by an interim manager while the registered manager was on leave. Inspectors found quality checks and support arrangements were in place. The home was inspected but not rated, so this visit did not give new ratings for the service.
Staffing met people's needs
Inspectors found enough staff on shift. They also found that staff absences had been covered and that recruitment checks were completed before staff started work.
“There were enough staff on shift to meet people's needs.” from the report
Infection control
The home had arrangements covering PPE, testing, cleaning, social distancing, visitor checks and managing outbreaks. Inspectors were assured that these arrangements were being followed.
“We were assured that the provider was using PPE effectively and safely.” from the report
Open management
People and staff said managers were approachable and that staff could raise concerns. Quality and risk monitoring systems were in place.
“The home was well-managed. Staff told us they were supported by the manager at the home and felt they could raise any issue or concerns, if needed.” from the report
People felt safe
The people inspectors spoke with said they felt safe, comfortable and happy in the home. They spoke highly of the staff.
“People felt very safe living in the home and receiving support from staff.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How do you make sure there are enough staff when people are off sick or on leave?
- 02What infection control checks are currently carried out, including PPE, testing, cleaning and visitor arrangements?
- 03Who is managing the home now, and what cover is provided when the registered manager is away?
- 04How are quality and risk checks recorded, and how quickly are any problems acted on?
- 05How can residents, relatives and staff raise concerns, and how are those concerns followed up?
This was a targeted inspection of specific parts of Safe and Well-led, focused on staffing, infection prevention and control and management; the previous overall rating was Good and was not reviewed. This explanation was written from the published report of 17 February 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, September 2019
Rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and personalised care, with strong management and activities.
This was an unannounced planned inspection. One inspector visited on 23 July, 26 July and 5 August 2019. They spoke with people using the service, family members and staff, observed care, and checked care, medicines, recruitment and management records.
The home was rated Good in all five areas: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. Inspectors found enough staff, safe medicines arrangements, suitable training and good risk management. They also found that people were treated with dignity, involved in their care and supported to remain independent.
People had personalised care plans and a wide range of activities. The home worked with health professionals and families, and had systems for complaints and quality checks. All five ratings stayed Good compared with the previous inspection.
Good risk management
The home had systems to identify and manage risks. It learned from accidents and incidents and tried to reduce unnecessary restrictions.
“Risks were well managed. The provider learned from previous accidents and incidents to reduce future risks.” from the report
Kind, respectful care
Staff built personal relationships with people and treated them with dignity. Families told inspectors that staff were caring and considerate.
“Staff demonstrated a person-centred approach and had created strong personal links with people.” from the report
Promoting independence
People were encouraged to do things for themselves and take part in everyday tasks. Staff also supported at least one person to work towards more independent living.
“People were supported to be independent. Care records described what people could do for themselves and what they required support with.” from the report
Meaningful activities
People were supported to take part in activities they enjoyed, including baking, holidays, concerts and arts. Inspectors found that people were protected from social isolation.
“People lived full and active lives and were protected from social isolation.” from the report
Open management
Staff and families said managers were approachable. The provider used meetings, surveys and audits to monitor and improve the home.
“The provider monitored the quality of the service and visited regularly to make sure a high standard of care was being delivered.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How would you assess and manage my relative's specific mental health, dementia or nursing needs before they move in?
- 02How do you check that medicines are given safely and that medicine records and audits remain up to date?
- 03How would you support my relative to remain independent and work towards their personal aims or future move?
- 04Which activities would match my relative's interests, communication needs and preferences?
- 05How would you involve our family in care planning, health updates and decisions made under the Mental Capacity Act?
This was an unannounced planned inspection covering all five CQC questions, including the premises and care provided; all five ratings remained Good from the previous inspection. This explanation was written from the published report of 12 September 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 Briarwood
3 rated inspections over 5 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- February 2021Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not ratedWell-led: Inspected but not rated
- September 2019Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- January 2017Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- December 2014GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- December 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- December 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- May 2011
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 10 May 2011.
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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48 live-in carers within about an hour of Gateshead
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 £950 to £1,240 a week. 42 can care for a couple. 10 years' experience on average.
“Petty introduced herself to Mum every time she was caring for her and responded very quickly to Mum if she was distressed in the night.”
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.