CQC report explained · a nursing home
What the CQC found at Castleford House Nursing Home
Rated Outstanding: inspectors found the home performing exceptionally well.
What inspectors found, June 2021
Inspected but not rated; inspectors found medicines and infection controls were being managed, and the previous Outstanding rating remained.
This was an unannounced, targeted inspection on 24 May 2021. One inspector looked at a medicines concern reported by the home and checked infection prevention and control.
Inspectors found that people received the support they needed with medicines. Staff had suitable training, medicine audits were completed, and a new protocol had been introduced after a concern about controlled medicines being given by visiting healthcare professionals.
Inspectors were assured that infection risks were being managed, including the use of protective equipment, testing, cleaning and visits. The home was not given a new rating because this inspection did not cover the whole service. Its previous overall rating of Outstanding remained.
Medicines support
People told inspectors they received the support they needed to take their prescribed medicines.
“People received the support they needed to take their prescribed medicines.” from the report
Medicine checks
The home completed regular audits and stock counts to check that medicines were managed safely.
“Regular medicine audits and stock counts were completed and recorded to ensure safe practice was maintained and to identify any areas of concern.” from the report
Staff training
Staff responsible for medicines were trained, and their knowledge and competence were reviewed.
“The staff training record and individual training certificates showed staff were up to date with relevant medicines training.” from the report
Infection control
Inspectors were assured that the home had arrangements covering protective equipment, testing, hygiene, admissions and infection outbreaks.
“We were assured that the provider was making sure infection outbreaks can be effectively prevented or managed.” from the report
Previous medicines concern
needs fixingThe inspection was triggered by a concern about medicines, specifically the process for controlled medicines administered by visiting healthcare professionals. The home introduced a new protocol to reduce the chance of this happening again.
“This was a targeted inspection on a specific concern which the care home had reported to us in relation to medicines.” from the report
- 01What exactly was the medicines concern involving controlled medicines and visiting healthcare professionals?
- 02How is the new medicines protocol being explained to visiting healthcare professionals?
- 03What do the regular medicine audits check, and what happens if they find a problem?
- 04How are infection control arrangements and visiting arrangements kept up to date?
- 05When is the next comprehensive inspection expected, given that this inspection did not assess the whole service?
This was a targeted inspection of a specific medicines concern and infection prevention and control; it did not assess the whole service or change the previous ratings. This explanation was written from the published report of 17 June 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, June 2019
Rated Outstanding overall; inspectors found highly personalised care, meaningful activities and exceptional leadership.
Inspectors made an unannounced visit over two days. They spoke with people living in the home, visitors, staff and health professionals. They also observed care and checked care plans, risk assessments, medicines records, staff training and quality checks.
The home was rated Outstanding overall. Safe, effective and caring were rated Good. Responsive and well-led were rated Outstanding. Inspectors found that staff supported people with complex needs in highly individual ways, including people whose previous care placements had not worked.
The home provided meaningful activities, supported people's independence and involved people and relatives in decisions. Staff were described as kind and skilled. The manager and deputy manager were visible and used feedback, complaints and audits to improve the service.
The last inspection, published in October 2016, rated the home Good overall. This inspection found that the overall rating had improved to Outstanding.
Personalised complex care
Staff adapted care around people's individual needs, including complex mental health, communication and behavioural needs. Inspectors found that the home had succeeded where other care settings had failed.
“The service was outstanding in how it provided highly personalised care and support to people with complex needs, sometimes under challenging circumstances.” from the report
Meaningful activities
People were supported to enjoy activities, social contact and outings. The home used creative approaches to support people living with dementia and people with severe physical or cognitive limitations.
“Lifestyle co-ordinators provided exceptionally meaningful activities which promoted social engagement, mental stimulation and fun.” from the report
Strong leadership
Managers were visible, approachable and focused on keeping people at the centre of decisions. Staff, relatives and professionals said communication and support were good.
“The registered manager led the home in a distinctive and imaginative way.” from the report
Respect and involvement
People were supported to express their views, give consent and make choices. Relatives were involved in care planning and suggestions were used to improve the home.
“People were supported to express their views and be involved in decisions made about their care.” from the report
Past medicines recording error
minorWhen an electronic medicines system was introduced, one person's medicines were not administered because they had not been added to the record. The report says this was investigated, learning was taken and the error had not been repeated.
“Just after commencing the electronic system, one person's medicines had not been administered as these had not been individually added to the new electronic record.” from the report
- 01How would you assess and support my relative's specific complex needs before they move in?
- 02What positive behavioural support plans would be used if my relative became distressed or showed challenging behaviour?
- 03How would you involve my relative, representatives and other professionals in care planning and decisions?
- 04What activities and community opportunities would be suitable for my relative's interests, abilities and communication needs?
- 05What checks are now in place to prevent medicines being missed or omitted from the electronic medicines record?
This was an unannounced scheduled inspection covering all five key questions and the overall quality of the home. This explanation was written from the published report of 22 June 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 Castleford House Nursing Home
2 rated inspections over 3 years: the service has improved, from Good to Outstanding.
- June 2021Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
Read what inspectors found at Castleford House Nursing Home →
- June 2019Outstandingup from GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: OutstandingWell-led: Outstanding
Read what inspectors found at Castleford House Nursing Home →
- October 2016GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- February 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- March 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- June 2011
Report published without a new overall rating.
- January 2011
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 17 January 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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38 live-in carers within about an hour of 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 £1,030 to £1,360 a week. 31 can care for a couple. 12 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.