CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Claridge Place
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors found improved risk management, enough staff, safe recruitment and safe medicines systems. They found one shortfall because staff did not always wear face masks as expected when speaking with inspectors.
- Effective?
- Good
- This area was not inspected during this focused visit. Its previous rating was carried forward when calculating the overall rating.
- Caring?
- Good
- This area was not inspected during this focused visit. Its previous rating was carried forward when calculating the overall rating.
- Responsive?
- Good
- This area was not inspected during this focused visit. Its previous rating was carried forward when calculating the overall rating.
- Well-led?
- Good
- Inspectors found stronger leadership, effective quality checks and a culture where people, relatives and staff felt listened to. The management team had learned lessons when things went wrong.
What inspectors found, October 2022
Claridge Place was rated Good, with improvements in safety and leadership, although inspectors found occasional problems with staff wearing face masks.
This was an unannounced focused inspection on 21 September 2022. Inspectors reviewed Safe and Well-led only. They spoke with people, relatives, a friend and staff, observed care, and checked care, medicine, recruitment and quality records.
The home was rated Good for Safe and Well-led. Inspectors found improved risk management, enough staff, safe recruitment, timely medicines and effective checks. People and relatives said the home was safe, and visitors were welcomed.
Leadership and quality monitoring had improved since the previous inspection. The overall rating rose from Requires Improvement to Good. The ratings for Effective, Caring and Responsive were not assessed during this visit and carried over from the previous inspection.
Improved risk management
Risks linked to eating, drinking, mobility, falls and sore skin had been assessed, with guidance for staff. Inspectors also found a personalised approach to managing risks.
“A personalised approach to risk management was embedded.” from the report
Enough staff
Inspectors found enough staff on duty to provide safe care during the visit. Recruitment checks had also been completed.
“Enough staff were on duty to provide safe care to people during our visit.” from the report
Medicines managed safely
People received medicines as prescribed. Staff were trained and checked, and systems covered ordering, supply, disposal and monitoring.
“The management of medicines had improved, and people received their medicines safely.” from the report
Stronger leadership
Leadership and quality monitoring had improved since the previous inspection. Audits checked areas such as whether risk assessments were accurate and up to date.
“Quality assurance systems had been embedded and strengthened.” from the report
People and relatives listened to
People and relatives were involved in decisions and could give feedback through surveys and meetings. Inspectors found that feedback had led to changes, including a manager being on duty seven days a week.
“People spoke positively about the leadership of the service and their feedback was welcomed and listened to.” from the report
Face mask use
needs fixingInspectors were only somewhat assured that personal protective equipment was always used as expected. Staff did not always wear face masks correctly when speaking with inspectors, but the manager took immediate action.
“On occasions staff did not wear their face masks in line with the providers expectations when they spoke with us.” from the report
- 01How do you now check that staff wear face masks and use protective equipment as expected?
- 02What changes have you made to risk assessments since the inspection, and how do you check they remain accurate?
- 03How do you make sure there are enough staff on duty for the number and needs of people living here?
- 04How are medicine errors or delays identified and dealt with?
- 05What ratings were carried forward for Effective, Caring and Responsive, and when were those areas last fully inspected?
This was an unannounced focused inspection of Safe and Well-led only; the ratings for Effective, Caring and Responsive were carried forward from the previous inspection. This explanation was written from the published report of 1 October 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.
What inspectors found, June 2021
Rated Requires Improvement; inspectors found kind, responsive care, but medicines, safety checks and management oversight were not consistently reliable.
This was the home's first inspection since it registered. It was unannounced and took place on 11 May 2021. Three inspectors spoke with people, relatives and staff, and reviewed records and the arrangements for preventing infections.
People generally felt safe and said staff were caring and available. The home had enough staff, recruited safely, kept the environment clean and supported people with food, healthcare, activities and personal choices.
Inspectors found problems with medicines records, fire safety information and guidance for managing one person's diabetes. Some checks and audits were also missed or did not identify these issues. The manager took immediate action on some problems and reported further improvements, but inspectors said more time was needed to show that changes would last.
Caring staff
People and relatives were positive about the care. Staff were described as kind, polite and respectful.
“Nothing is too much trouble, they (staff) are very kind and polite.” from the report
Personalised support
Staff knew people's preferences, routines and interests. Care records helped staff provide support that reflected each person's needs.
“Care records contained information to help staff provide responsive care including people's preferred daily routines and things that were important to them.” from the report
Choice and independence
People were involved in decisions about their care and daily lives. Staff supported independence rather than taking over.
“I can do a lot for myself. Staff don't take over; they help me to wash my hair.” from the report
Infection prevention
Inspectors were assured that the home had effective arrangements for preventing and managing infections, including safe visiting and use of protective equipment.
“We were assured that the provider was using PPE effectively and safely.” from the report
Medicines records
seriousDates when some medicines were opened had not been recorded, so the home could not show they were used within the recommended timescales. A non-prescribed cream was also not included in the medicines procedure.
“Medicines were not always managed safely because the dates medicines had been opened were not always recorded.” from the report
Fire and health risk information
seriousOne set of fire doors did not close properly, fire service evacuation information was inaccurate and guidance for managing one person's diabetes was missing. Immediate or follow-up action was taken.
“The information the fire service would need to evacuate the building safely in the event of a fire was not accurate.” from the report
Missed management checks
needs fixingAudits and checks were not consistently completed or effective. This included medicines, bedroom cleanliness and clear fire escape routes.
“Audits had not always taken place in line with the providers expectations.” from the report
Communication about management change
minorSome relatives said they had not been told clearly about a change of manager.
“Some relatives felt the change of manager had not been communicated very well.” from the report
- 01What changes have been made to record medicine opening dates, and how are homely remedies now included in medicines checks?
- 02How do you check that fire doors close properly and that the fire service has accurate information about evacuating everyone?
- 03What written guidance is now in place for managing the health condition identified in the report?
- 04How often are bedroom cleanliness, fire escape routes and medicines audited, and who checks that actions are completed?
- 05How will you keep relatives informed about changes in the management team?
This was an unannounced planned first inspection of the newly registered care home, covering all five key questions and infection prevention and control arrangements. This explanation was written from the published report of 18 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.
Every inspection of Claridge Place
2 rated inspections over a year: the service has improved, from Requires improvement to Good.
- October 2022Goodcurrent ratingup from Requires improvementSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- June 2021Requires improvementSafe: Requires improvementWell-led: Requires improvement
- November 2019
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 1 November 2019.
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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