CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Castlerea House
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- People and relatives said they felt safe. Inspectors found enough staff, safe recruitment, suitable risk assessments, building checks and accurate medicines records.
- Effective?
- Good
- Staff received training, induction, supervision and appraisals. People were supported with nutrition, healthcare appointments, consent and their own choices.
- Caring?
- Good
- Inspectors observed kind and caring interactions. People were treated with dignity and respect and were supported to remain as independent as possible.
- Responsive?
- Good
- Support plans were personalised and staff knew people's needs and preferences. People could choose activities, hobbies and trips, and complaints systems were in place.
- Well-led?
- Good
- The home used meetings, surveys and audits to monitor quality. People, relatives and staff gave positive feedback, and the rating improved from Requires Improvement at the previous inspection.
What inspectors found, September 2023
Castlerea House rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind, person-centred care and improved leadership.
This was an unannounced inspection. One inspector and an Expert by Experience visited on 22 August 2023, with inspection activity continuing until 14 September. They spoke with 6 people, 2 relatives and 5 staff, and reviewed care plans, recruitment files, training records and quality checks.
The report found enough staff, safe recruitment, effective risk management and safe medicines systems. People were supported with food, drink, healthcare appointments and their own choices. Inspectors saw kind and respectful care, and people could take part in hobbies, activities and trips.
All five areas were rated Good: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. The overall rating stayed Good, matching the previous rating published in September 2018. The Well-led rating improved from Requires Improvement to Good.
Safe staffing and medicines
Inspectors found enough staff to provide care safely. Recruitment checks were completed, and medicines records were accurate with no missing signatures.
“The provider ensured there were enough staff employed to care for people safely.” from the report
Kind and respectful care
People and relatives gave positive feedback about the care. Inspectors saw staff treating people kindly, respectfully and with dignity.
“During the inspection we observed staff interacting with people living at the home in kind and caring way.” from the report
Personalised support
Care plans included people's preferences and how they wanted their care delivered. People could pursue activities and hobbies of their choice.
“Support plans were personalised and contained information for staff about how people wanted their care and support to be carried out.” from the report
Improved leadership
The home had systems to gather feedback and check quality. The Well-led rating improved from Requires Improvement to Good.
“At this inspection the rating has changed to good.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How will you make sure there are enough staff to support my relative, including with appointments and activities?
- 02How will you keep my relative's medicines records accurate and make sure staff remain competent to administer medicines?
- 03How will my relative's support plan be updated to reflect their choices, preferences and level of independence?
- 04What activities, hobbies and trips could my relative take part in?
- 05How can my relative or our family raise a concern, and how will the home respond to it?
This unannounced inspection looked at the care home, its premises and the care provided, and rated all five CQC questions; the previous inspection was published in September 2018. This explanation was written from the published report of 30 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.
What inspectors found, December 2020
Inspected but not rated; inspectors were assured about infection prevention and control, with some further development signposted.
This was an announced, targeted inspection on 23 November 2020. Inspectors looked only at infection prevention and control, including the use of personal protective equipment, testing, visitors, hygiene and managing outbreaks.
Inspectors were assured that the home was following infection control measures. Staff used appropriate PPE, meals were held in two sittings, laundry was kept separate and the home took part in regular COVID testing.
No ratings were awarded during this inspection. The report does not give an overall quality rating or ratings for the other areas of care.
Dedicated staff
Staff were designated to work only at this home, which helped reduce contact between settings.
“The home had designated staff that only worked at this setting.” from the report
Reduced contact at mealtimes
Meal times were split into two sittings to reduce contact between people living at the home.
“Meal times had been split into two sittings to reduce contact between people.” from the report
PPE and testing
Staff were seen using appropriate PPE and the home was taking part in regular COVID testing.
“Staff were observed wearing appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).” from the report
Infection controls
Inspectors were assured that the home had measures to prevent and manage infection outbreaks.
“We were assured that the provider was making sure infection outbreaks can be effectively prevented or managed.” from the report
Further development needed
minorThe report does not describe a specific failure, but CQC signposted the provider to resources to develop its approach.
“We have also signposted the provider to resources to develop their approach.” from the report
- 01What resources did CQC signpost you to, and what changes have you made as a result?
- 02How do you ensure that designated staff continue to work only at this home?
- 03How are COVID testing arrangements managed for people living here and staff?
- 04How do you manage visitors and admissions to reduce the risk of infection?
- 05How are meals and laundry arrangements organised to reduce contact and cross-contamination?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control only; no ratings were awarded for the overall service or other areas of care. This explanation was written from the published report of 11 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.
Every inspection of Castlerea House
4 rated inspections over 8 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- September 2023Goodcurrent ratingSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- December 2020Inspected but not ratedSafe: Inspected but not rated
- September 2018Goodup from InadequateSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Requires improvement
- July 2018Inadequatedown from GoodSafe: InadequateEffective: Requires improvementCaring: GoodResponsive: Requires improvementWell-led: Inadequate
- December 2015GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- May 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- December 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- April 2011
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 20 April 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.
Weigh the report against the rest
Fees, photos and reviews from families
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What to check when you visit
At least 100 live-in carers within about an hour of Salford
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.
“Primrose is a very kind and compassionate healthcare professional”
“She is an exemplary carer, she is knowledgable empathetic and very respectful in the home.”
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.