CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Bridge House
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors were assured about infection prevention and control, including cleaning, protective equipment, testing, social distancing and safe admissions.
- Effective?
- Good
- This area was not assessed in this inspection.
- Caring?
- Good
- This area was not assessed in this inspection.
- Responsive?
- Good
- This area was not assessed in this inspection.
- Well-led?
- Good
- This area was not assessed in this inspection.
What inspectors found, December 2020
Inspected but not rated; inspectors found strong infection control arrangements, but this visit did not assess wider care.
This was an announced inspection on 25 November 2020. It was part of a CQC review of infection control in care homes during the coronavirus pandemic.
Inspectors found robust cleaning, suitable protective equipment, social distancing and testing arrangements. They were assured that the home was managing infection risks, including admissions and possible outbreaks.
The home had stopped visits during the national lockdown. It helped people keep in touch with relatives by phone, social media and video calls, and was planning a screened visiting area.
The service was inspected but not rated. This means the visit did not give an overall quality rating or assess all five areas of care.
Infection control
Cleaning had been increased, particularly for frequently touched surfaces, and extra cleaning was being carried out.
“We found robust infection control procedures were in place. Cleaning had been increased to ensure high touch surfaces were cleaned regularly” from the report
Protective equipment
Staff were seen using suitable protective equipment. Supplies, training and a dedicated area for putting on and removing equipment were available.
“Staff were observed wearing appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE). Sufficient supplies of PPE were in place.” from the report
Keeping in touch
The home supported people to stay connected with family and friends when visits could not take place.
“Staff supported people to maintain contact with their family and friends, by phone, social media and video calling, when they were unable to visit.” from the report
Testing and monitoring
People and staff had their temperatures checked daily. The home also took part in regular coronavirus testing.
“The home took part in regular testing for COVID-19. Staff were tested weekly, and people who lived at the home were tested monthly.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01What are the current visiting arrangements, and is the screened visiting area now available?
- 02How are you currently supporting residents to contact relatives if visits are restricted?
- 03How often are residents and staff tested for COVID-19 now?
- 04How do you safely manage new admissions and any required period of isolation?
- 05What are the home's current ratings or recent findings for personal care, medicines, activities and leadership, since this inspection did not assess them?
This was an announced thematic review focused on infection prevention and control; the service was inspected but not rated and the other care areas were not assessed. This explanation was written from the published report of 9 December 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.
What inspectors found, October 2018
Bridge House was rated Good overall, with safe, kind and personalised care found across all five areas.
Inspectors visited on 12 and 14 September 2018 without giving notice. They spoke with people living there, relatives, staff, a volunteer and health and social care professionals. They also observed care and checked care records, staff records and quality checks.
The inspectors found that people felt safe and were treated with dignity and respect. Medicines were managed safely, staffing levels were sufficient, and staff had the training and skills needed. People received support with food, health appointments, activities, relationships and their personal choices.
Care plans were personalised and regularly updated. The home had a complaints process and systems for checking quality. All five areas were rated Good, and the overall rating stayed Good compared with the previous inspection in May 2016.
Kind and respectful care
Staff were observed speaking patiently with people, explaining care and listening to them. People's privacy, dignity and choices were respected.
“Throughout the visit, the interactions we observed between staff and people who used the service were friendly, supportive and encouraging.” from the report
Personalised support
Care plans included people's preferences, life histories, interests and changing needs. Activities supported people's social, emotional and spiritual wellbeing.
“People's care plans were written in a way that ensured people's needs and preferences were at the heart of the service.” from the report
Good staff support
Inspectors found enough staff, safe recruitment checks and relevant training. Staff also received supervision and opportunities to discuss their work.
“Sufficient numbers of staff were employed who had the knowledge and skills to meet people's needs.” from the report
Strong management
The service had visible leadership, a positive culture and systems to monitor quality and act on improvements.
“The culture of the service was open, honest and caring.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How would you meet my relative's particular care needs, given that the home does not provide nursing care?
- 02If my relative cannot freely leave the home or needs continuous supervision, what is the current position of any Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards application?
- 03How will you keep my relative's care plan and risk assessments up to date as their needs change?
- 04What activities and community links could you offer based on my relative's interests, faith and abilities?
- 05How will you tell families about the planned changes to the medicines system and food and drink processes?
This was an unannounced inspection of the overall quality of the home, covering all five CQC questions and providing ratings for each. This explanation was written from the published report of 27 October 2018 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 Bridge House
2 rated inspections over 2 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- December 2020Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- October 2018Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- June 2016GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- May 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- October 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- November 2010
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 24 November 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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39 live-in carers within about an hour of South 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 £1,020 to £1,280 a week. 32 can care for a couple. 11 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.