CQC report explained · a nursing home
What the CQC found at Bright Meadows
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
What inspectors found, September 2023
Rated Requires Improvement; inspectors found kind, responsive care, but medicines and care records were not always reliable.
This was an unannounced inspection over three days. Inspectors reviewed 18 care plans, 11 medicines records and four staff files. They spoke with people, relatives, staff and managers, and reviewed the home's quality checks.
The home was rated Good for caring and responsive care. People said staff treated them well, respected their privacy and supported their choices. Staff helped people stay active, communicate their needs and keep in touch with relatives.
Safe, effective and well-led care were rated Requires Improvement. Inspectors found problems with medicine records, missing or incomplete care records, some missing mental capacity assessments and parts of the building needing repair. They found enough staff, safe recruitment, suitable training and good infection control.
The previous rating was Requires Improvement under the former provider. The report says improvements had been made and the current provider was no longer in breach of the regulations identified at the last inspection. CQC will continue to monitor the information it receives.
Kind and respectful care
Inspectors saw staff offering practical help, asking for consent and showing a good understanding of people's needs. People said their privacy, dignity and choices were respected.
“People told us they were well treated, and their equality and diversity respected.” from the report
Personalised support
Care plans recorded people's likes, dislikes and preferences. Staff supported independence, communication and involvement in decisions.
“Personalised care plans identified the person’s likes, dislikes, what was important to them and how staff should best support them.” from the report
Staffing and recruitment
Inspectors found enough staff with suitable skills and training. Recruitment checks were completed safely and agency staff were rarely used.
“Managers ensured there were enough staff, with the right training and skills, to meet people's needs.” from the report
Activities and relationships
People were supported to take part in activities, use the gardens and maintain relationships with relatives. Meetings gave people opportunities to suggest activities.
“Staff supported and encouraged people to take part in activities and maintain social relationships to promote their wellbeing.” from the report
Medicine records and instructions
seriousInspectors found discrepancies in medicine stock records and missing or unsafe information about allergies, pain relief, creams, patches and medicines taken when needed. The home took immediate action, but inspectors could not confirm that improvements had been sustained.
“People's allergy status was not always recorded on the electronic system which placed people at risk of being given medicines they were allergic to.” from the report
Building repairs and layout
needs fixingSome areas needed improvement, including loose or rusty handrails, clutter and damage to walls and floors. Some toilets lacked signs and dementia signage needed improvement.
“Some areas of the environment needed improving, for example there were loose or rusty handrails, some cluttered areas, and some damage to walls and floors.” from the report
Missing mental capacity records
needs fixingInspectors could not find some mental capacity or best interest assessments for sensor mats and sensor beams. The manager updated these records during the inspection.
“We could not find any MCA or Best Interest assessments for some people, for decisions such as the use of sensor mats or sensor beams in bedrooms.” from the report
- 01What checks now make sure allergy details, pain relief alerts, cream instructions and patch locations are recorded correctly?
- 02How will you make sure daily records about food, fluids, personal care and activities are completed every time?
- 03What repairs have been completed to the loose or rusty handrails, cluttered areas, walls and floors?
- 04Have all required mental capacity and best interest assessments for sensor mats and sensor beams been completed and reviewed?
- 05How are you checking that improvements made after the inspection have continued over time?
This was an unannounced inspection that considered all five key questions and infection prevention and control; the report refers separately to the previous comprehensive inspection. This explanation was written from the published report of 2 September 2023 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 Bright Meadows
12 rated inspections over 8 years: the service has improved, from Inadequate to Requires improvement.
- September 2023Requires improvementcurrent ratingSafe: Requires improvementEffective: Requires improvementCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Requires improvement
- February 2022Inspected but not ratedSafe: Inspected but not rated
- November 2020Requires improvementstayed Requires improvementSafe: Requires improvementWell-led: Requires improvement
- October 2019Requires improvementdown from GoodSafe: Requires improvementEffective: Requires improvementCaring: Requires improvementResponsive: Requires improvementWell-led: Inadequate
- August 2018Goodup from Requires improvementSafe: Requires improvementEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- January 2018Requires improvementstayed Requires improvementSafe: Requires improvementEffective: Requires improvementCaring: GoodResponsive: Requires improvementWell-led: Requires improvement
- June 2017Requires improvementstayed Requires improvementSafe: GoodWell-led: Requires improvement
- June 2017Requires improvementstayed Requires improvementSafe: Requires improvementWell-led: Requires improvement
- January 2017Requires improvementstayed Requires improvementSafe: Requires improvement
- September 2016Requires improvementup from InadequateSafe: Requires improvementEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Requires improvement
- March 2016Inadequatedown from Requires improvementSafe: InadequateEffective: InadequateCaring: InadequateResponsive: InadequateWell-led: Inadequate
- September 2015Requires improvementup from InadequateSafe: Requires improvementEffective: Requires improvementCaring: Requires improvementResponsive: Requires improvementWell-led: Requires improvement
- April 2015InadequateSafe: InadequateEffective: InadequateCaring: Requires improvementResponsive: Requires improvementWell-led: Requires improvement
- March 2022
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 15 March 2022.
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 Bolton
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. 92 can care for a couple. 10 years' experience on average.
“Primrose is a very kind and compassionate healthcare professional”
“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.