CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Bridgewell House
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors found that risks were assessed, medicines were managed safely, infection control was effective, and staffing and recruitment were suitable. The home had also improved its analysis of accidents and incidents.
- Effective?
- Good
- This area was not inspected during this focused visit. The previous rating was carried forward.
- Caring?
- Outstanding
- This area was not inspected during this focused visit. The previous rating was carried forward.
- Responsive?
- Good
- This area was not inspected during this focused visit. The previous rating was carried forward.
- Well-led?
- Good
- Inspectors found clear management arrangements, supportive leadership, good communication and effective systems for checking and improving quality.
What inspectors found, May 2021
Bridgewell House was rated Good; inspectors found safe, person-centred care and effective management.
This was an unannounced focused inspection. Inspectors looked only at Safe and Well-led after concerns had been raised about safety and management. They found no evidence that people were at risk of harm from those concerns.
The home was clean and hygienic. Staff used protective equipment safely, medicines were managed correctly, risks were assessed, and people were supported by suitable numbers of trained staff. Inspectors also found that the home had improved how it reviewed accidents and incidents.
Managers were described as approachable and supportive. People were involved in decisions about their lives, had links with the local community, and families and staff were able to share their views. Safe and Well-led were both rated Good.
The other three areas were not inspected during this visit. Their previous ratings were carried forward when deciding the overall Good rating. The last full inspection, published in May 2018, was also rated Good.
Safety and independence
Risks were assessed while still allowing people to make choices and live as independently as possible.
“People were supported to take positive risks enabling them to experience maximum independence, choice and control over their lives.” from the report
Staff support
Inspectors found suitable recruitment checks, staffing levels and staff training. Family members said they trusted staff to keep their relatives safe.
“People received care and support from staff who were well supported, trained, skilled and experienced.” from the report
Medicines
Medicines were stored and given safely. Records showed that staff completed medicine administration records correctly.
“Medicines were safely managed. They were safely stored and administered to people at the right times.” from the report
Leadership and improvement
The manager had clear responsibilities and used audits and other checks to improve the service. People, families and staff were encouraged to give their views.
“There were effective systems to monitor and improve the quality and safety of the service.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01What were the previous ratings for Effective, Caring and Responsive, and when were these areas last fully assessed?
- 02How will you assess and manage the risks linked to my relative's choices and independence?
- 03How do you check that medicines, including medicines given as required, continue to be recorded correctly?
- 04How will my relative be supported to take part in local community activities?
- 05How are families involved in care planning and kept informed about changes or concerns?
This was a focused inspection of Safe and Well-led only; the other ratings carried over from the previous comprehensive inspection. This explanation was written from the published report of 29 May 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, May 2018
Rated Good; inspectors found safe, effective, and responsive care with outstanding kindness and respect.
Inspectors visited Bridgewell House on 26 and 27 March 2018 to check the quality and safety of care. They looked at the building, care records, staff files, and spoke with people living there, relatives, staff, and a healthcare professional.
The home supports young adults with learning disabilities, mental health conditions, or sensory impairments. At the time, five people lived there. The home was clean, well maintained, and adapted to people's needs.
Inspectors found the home provided safe and effective care. Staff were trained and supported well. People were treated with great kindness and respect, and care was personalised to each person's needs and preferences.
The home was well managed with good systems to check quality. Some improvements were suggested, such as analysing accident records for patterns and updating medication protocols.
Caring Staff
Staff showed outstanding kindness and treated people with dignity and respect.
“It's outstanding, I couldn't speak more highly of them [staff]” from the report
Well-Supported Staff
Staff received good training, supervision, and felt valued in their roles.
“There's enough training and they provide enough support” from the report
Safe Environment
The home was clean, well maintained and adapted to meet people's needs.
“The environment had been adapted to the needs of the people who were living at Bridgewell House.” from the report
Good Management
Management was approachable and used audits and meetings to maintain quality.
“[Managers] are very easy to talk to, it doesn't matter what the problem is” from the report
Accident Analysis
needs fixingThe home did not analyse accident and incident records to spot patterns or prevent risks.
“We identified that an analysis of accidents/incidents was not been carried out to establish trends and patterns.” from the report
Medication Protocols
needs fixingProtocols for 'as and when needed' medication were missing at the time of inspection.
“Medication protocols outline to staff the circumstances in which this should be given. We discussed this with the registered manager so these could be put in place.” from the report
Policy Updates
minorSome policies had expired review dates and needed updating.
“Several policy review dates had expired however the registered manager explained that there was going to be overhaul of all policies and procedures in the coming months.” from the report
Complaints Information
minorInformation about how to make a complaint was not widely shared with families.
“There's no information about how to make a complaint if I needed to.” from the report
- 01How do you analyse accident and incident records to prevent future risks?
- 02Can you show me the protocols for 'as and when needed' medication?
- 03How do you keep your policies and procedures up to date?
- 04What information do you provide about making complaints?
- 05How do you support people to be involved in decisions about their care?
This was a comprehensive inspection covering all key areas of care and management. This explanation was written from the published report of 10 May 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 Bridgewell House
3 rated inspections over 6 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- May 2021Goodcurrent ratingstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: OutstandingResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- May 2018Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodWell-led: Good
- September 2015GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: OutstandingResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- June 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- June 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- November 2012
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 23 November 2012.
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 Warrington
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 £1,260 a week. 90 can care for a couple. 10 years' experience on average.
“He developed a close affinity with Terence, spending time talking with him before he retired to bed and looking after his needs during 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.