CQC report explained · a nursing home
What the CQC found at Candlewood House Care Home
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- People felt safe and risks were assessed and managed. Medicines, recruitment checks, infection control and accident reporting were handled appropriately, although some people experienced delays or rushed care because of staffing pressures.
- Effective?
- Good
- People’s needs were assessed before they moved in. Staff were trained and supported, and people received help with eating, drinking, health appointments and other healthcare needs.
- Caring?
- Good
- Inspectors saw warm and patient interactions. Staff respected people’s privacy, dignity, culture and religious beliefs, and encouraged people to remain as independent as possible.
- Responsive?
- Good
- Care plans were personalised and updated when people’s needs changed. People were supported with communication, activities, family contact, complaints and end-of-life wishes.
- Well-led?
- Good
- The home had an open culture and systems to monitor quality. People, relatives and staff were encouraged to give feedback, and the management team had plans to recruit more permanent staff.
What inspectors found, March 2022
Rated Good; inspectors found kind, safe and personalised care, but some people experienced delays when staff were busy.
This was the home’s first inspection. It was unannounced, with a visit on 15 December 2021. Inspectors spoke with people, relatives and staff, and reviewed care plans, medicines records, recruitment files and management records.
All five areas were rated Good: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. People told inspectors they felt safe. Medicines, risks, infection control and accidents were managed appropriately.
Inspectors found that staff were kind, respectful and supported people’s choices, health, meals, activities and relationships. However, some people experienced rushed care or delays. The inspectors recommended that staffing arrangements be reviewed as the number of residents increased.
Kind and respectful care
Inspectors saw staff treating people warmly, patiently and with dignity. People’s privacy and personal choices were respected.
“We witnessed warm and patient interactions between people and staff.” from the report
Personalised support
Care plans included detailed information about people’s lives, preferences, routines and communication needs. Staff used this information to tailor care.
“People's care plans were highly personalised and updated whenever their needs changed.” from the report
Safe medicines and risk management
Medicines were stored and administered safely. Risk assessments gave staff clear guidance about issues such as falls, choking, nutrition and mobility.
“The service ensured people received their medicines safely and as prescribed.” from the report
Good training and healthcare links
Staff received induction, training, supervision and development support. The home worked with healthcare professionals to maintain people’s health.
“The service worked in partnership with other services and health and social care professionals such as physiotherapists, specialist nurses, GPs and dieticians to ensure people's health were maintained.” from the report
Activities and relationships
People were supported to take part in activities, stay in touch with family and friends, and continue cultural and religious practices.
“Staff supported and encouraged people to take part in various activities.” from the report
Delays and rushed care
needs fixingSome people said staff took a long time to respond or hurried during care. Staff also said they sometimes felt rushed and pressured. Inspectors recommended that staffing arrangements be reviewed as more people were admitted.
“We recommend the provider revise their staff deployment approach while considering the diverse needs of people and the growing number of admissions.” from the report
- 01What changes have been made to staffing and staff deployment since the inspection?
- 02How do you make sure people are not left waiting or rushed when call bells are ringing?
- 03How many permanent care staff and nurses are currently employed, and how often are staff brought in from other homes?
- 04How has the home managed staffing as the number of residents has increased?
- 05Can you explain how you monitor delays in care and act on people’s feedback?
This was the first comprehensive inspection of the newly registered home and covered all five key questions; infection prevention and control was also assessed under Safe. This explanation was written from the published report of 18 March 2022 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 Candlewood House Care Home
Each visit the CQC has published, newest first, back to the day the home was registered.
- March 2022Goodcurrent ratingSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- May 2020
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 20 May 2020.
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 Barnet
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 £1,300 a week. 83 can care for a couple. 12 years' experience on average.
“The quality of life that she's given my parents has been priceless. The peace of mind she's given my sisters and I, through a very difficult time, has been invaluable.”
“Folasade is really kind, patient and respectful, has a fantastic sense of humour and such a positive outlook on life.”
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.