CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Chaffinch Residential Care Home
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- People received their medicines as prescribed and staff had completed medicines training and competency checks. Inspectors noted that guidance for as-needed medicines was not always detailed enough.
- Effective?
- Good
- Staff received training, supervision and support. People were supported with their physical and mental health, nutrition, healthcare appointments and personal choices.
- Caring?
- Good
- Staff knew people well and inspectors observed kind and positive interactions. People were involved in their care and encouraged to do things for themselves.
- Responsive?
- Good
- Care plans were personalised, reviewed monthly and developed with people and relatives. People were supported with relationships, activities, communication and access to the local community.
- Well-led?
- Good
- The manager and nominated individual were described as approachable and supportive. New audits and improved records had been introduced to monitor and improve the home.
What inspectors found, July 2021
Rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and personalised care, with a few small records and refurbishment issues.
The inspection visit took place on 07 July 2021. One inspector spoke with people, staff, relatives and professionals, observed care, and checked care records, medicines records, staff files and management records. Infection control measures were also checked because of COVID-19.
The home supported five people with mental health needs. Inspectors found enough staff, safe recruitment, suitable care plans and risk assessments, medicines given as prescribed, and good support with health, food and daily activities. People and relatives spoke positively about changes made by the current owners and staff team.
All five areas were rated Good: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. The home was clean and followed COVID-19 guidance. Some refurbishment was still needed, and inspectors found that some records, including guidance for as-needed medicines, were not fully detailed.
Kind, respectful support
Staff knew people and their needs well. People were treated with kindness, dignity and respect.
“We observed kind and positive interactions between people and staff.” from the report
Personalised care
Care and support plans reflected people's needs, preferences and wishes. People and relatives were involved in reviewing them.
“The nominated individual had re-written people's care and support plans in a person-centred way.” from the report
Support for independence
People were encouraged to take part in everyday tasks, such as making drinks and doing their laundry, with support where needed.
“People were now being encouraged to be involved in their care and prompted to complete things for themselves where possible.” from the report
Good staff support
Staff had training, supervision and regular meetings. There was one support worker on duty at all times, with additional help available when needed.
“Staff received the training and support required for their role.” from the report
Clean and prepared home
The home was visibly clean, staff used protective equipment and COVID-19 testing arrangements were in place.
“The home was visibly clean throughout.” from the report
As-needed medicines guidance
needs fixingInstructions for some as-needed medicines did not explain fully how a person would communicate that they needed the medicine. The manager said this would be updated.
“Guidance for when medicines prescribed as 'as required' (PRN) was not always detailed enough” from the report
Employment history record
minorThe reason for a gap in one employee's employment history had not been recorded. The manager said explanations would be recorded in future.
“The reasons for a gap in one employees employment history had not been recorded.” from the report
Further refurbishment
minorSome areas had been redecorated and refurbished, but other parts of the building still looked tired. Further work was planned over the next two years.
“Other parts of the building looked tired.” from the report
- 01What changes have been made to the guidance for as-needed medicines since the inspection?
- 02How do you now record and check explanations for gaps in staff employment histories?
- 03Which refurbishment work has been completed, and what work is still planned?
- 04How will you make sure there is enough additional staff cover if someone is absent or needs support to attend an appointment?
- 05How are people and relatives involved in monthly care plan reviews and decisions about activities and meals?
This was a planned inspection covering all five CQC questions, including infection prevention and control measures related to COVID-19. This explanation was written from the published report of 27 July 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, November 2020
Chaffinch Residential Care Home was inspected but not rated; inspectors were assured that infection prevention and control arrangements were effective.
This was an announced thematic inspection on 6 November 2020. It focused on infection prevention and control during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Inspectors found good practice. Staff helped people understand restrictions, provided masks and sanitiser, and prompted hand hygiene. The home also carried out extra cleaning of frequently touched surfaces three times a day.
Inspectors were assured about visitor safety, social distancing, personal protective equipment, testing, cleaning, outbreak planning and the infection control policy.
The home was not given an overall quality rating. Safe was inspected but not rated, and the other areas were not assessed in this inspection.
Infection control
Inspectors found that the home was taking steps to reduce the spread of infection, including supporting people with hand hygiene and pandemic restrictions.
“Staff supported people to understand the different restrictions in place during the Coivd-19 pandemic, provided them with masks and sanitiser” from the report
Regular cleaning
Frequently touched surfaces were cleaned and disinfected three times a day.
“Additional cleaning was being completed, with all touch points, for example, door handles, remote controls and bannisters disinfected three times a day.” from the report
Staff planning
The small staff team reduced outside social contacts and had discussed temporary staffing support if staff became unwell.
“The staff team had agreed to minimise their social contacts outside of work to reduce the risks of contracting Covid-19.” from the report
PPE and testing
Inspectors were assured that PPE was being used safely and that testing was available for people living at the home and staff.
“We were assured that the provider was using PPE effectively and safely.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How are you currently supporting residents to understand infection restrictions and maintain hand hygiene?
- 02How often are frequently touched surfaces such as door handles, remote controls and bannisters cleaned now?
- 03How are testing arrangements provided for residents and staff?
- 04What happens if a member of the small staff team becomes unwell, and is temporary staffing support still available?
- 05When was the infection prevention and control policy last reviewed?
This was an announced thematic review focused on infection prevention and control; it did not provide ratings for the other areas or an overall quality rating. This explanation was written from the published report of 14 November 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 Chaffinch Residential Care Home
3 rated inspections over 5 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- July 2021Goodcurrent ratingSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
Read what inspectors found at Chaffinch Residential Care Home →
- November 2020Inspected but not ratedSafe: Inspected but not rated
Read what inspectors found at Chaffinch Residential Care Home →
- April 2018Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- January 2016GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- April 2020
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 20 April 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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At least 100 live-in carers within about an hour of Bury
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. 94 can care for a couple. 11 years' experience on average.
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“She understands the needs of an elderly person in the early stages of dementia and has treated my mother with great kindness and skill.”
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