CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Damascus House
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors found that people were protected from abuse and avoidable harm. Risks, staffing, medicines, infection control and emergency plans were managed safely.
- Effective?
- Good
- This key question was not inspected during this visit. Its previous rating was used when calculating the overall rating.
- Caring?
- Good
- This key question was not inspected during this visit. Its previous rating was used when calculating the overall rating.
- Responsive?
- Good
- This key question was not inspected during this visit. Its previous rating was used when calculating the overall rating.
- Well-led?
- Good
- Inspectors found positive leadership, good management systems and an open culture. The provider used audits, feedback and incident reviews to improve care.
What inspectors found, November 2023
Damascus House is rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and well-managed care, with the home larger than good practice guidance suggests.
This was an unannounced inspection over 25 and 26 October 2023. One inspector and an Expert by Experience spoke with 8 people living there, 5 relatives, 7 staff and the registered manager. They also checked care records, medicines records, recruitment, training and management records.
The inspectors looked at Safe and Well-led. They found people were protected from abuse, risks were assessed, staffing levels were sufficient and medicines were managed safely. Staff knew people well and most had worked at the home for a significant time.
The home had a warm and friendly atmosphere. People were supported to make choices, be independent and take part in education, activities and community life. The report says the home met the guidance on right support, right care and right culture, although it is larger than the guidance suggests.
Safe was rated Good and Well-led was rated Good. The other key question ratings were not inspected during this visit, so the report used the ratings from the previous inspection when calculating the overall Good rating.
Choice and independence
People were supported to make choices about their daily lives, activities, food and education. Staff helped people remain as independent as possible.
“People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests” from the report
Consistent staff team
There were enough staff to meet people's needs, and many staff had worked at the home for a long time. This meant staff knew people well.
“Most staff at the service had been employed for a significant amount of time.” from the report
Positive culture
Inspectors found a warm and friendly atmosphere. People, relatives and staff felt able to raise concerns and said management listened.
“People, relatives, and staff told us the management and staff were approachable and listened when they had concerns.” from the report
Safe care
Care plans and risk assessments were clear and personalised. Medicines were stored, administered and checked safely.
“Care plans and risk assessments were person centred providing clear and accurate information in line with best practice” from the report
Communal decoration
minorSome communal areas needed their decoration refreshed. The provider acted and made the improvements identified after the inspection.
“We noted some décor in communal areas needed refreshing.” from the report
- 01How does supporting 12 people affect the amount of one-to-one time and personal attention available?
- 02What changes were made to the communal decoration after the inspection?
- 03How will you support my relative to make daily choices and remain independent?
- 04How do you make sure the staff team remains consistent and continues to know each person's needs?
- 05How are medicines, including as-required medicines, checked and reviewed?
This inspection looked at Safe and Well-led only; the other key question ratings were not inspected and the previous ratings were used to calculate the overall rating. This explanation was written from the published report of 24 November 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, August 2018
Rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and personalised care, but medicines temperatures and opened-food labelling needed attention.
This was an unannounced comprehensive inspection on 12 June 2018. One inspector and an expert by experience spoke with people, staff and managers, and checked care records, staff files, audits, rotas and policies.
The home was rated Good in all five areas: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. Inspectors found people were protected from abuse, had enough staff, received their medicines as prescribed and were supported to stay healthy.
People were treated with dignity and respect. Staff supported people's choices, independence, activities, family relationships and access to the community. Care plans were personalised and kept up to date.
Two issues needed attention. The temperature of the medicines storage room was not being monitored, and opened food was not labelled with the date it was opened. The manager said arrangements would be made to address these points.
Personalised care
Care plans contained information about people's preferences, allergies and the support they needed. Plans were reviewed with people and updated when their needs changed.
“Each person had an up to date care plan which set out for staff how their needs should be met.” from the report
Kind and respectful staff
Inspectors observed staff speaking kindly and respecting privacy and dignity. People appeared comfortable with staff.
“Without exception staff were kind, caring and respectful of all the residents treating them with respect in line with their needs and preferences.” from the report
Choice and independence
People were supported to make choices, take part in activities and maintain their independence. This included community activities, education, holidays and everyday tasks.
“All these activities promoted people's independence.” from the report
Good management checks
The manager carried out monthly checks covering areas such as medicines, infection control, care records and staff development. Action plans were used when improvements were identified.
“They completed monthly audits of all aspects of the service, such as medication, kitchen, infection control, care records, learning and development for staff.” from the report
Medicines storage temperature
needs fixingThe room where medicines were stored did not have its temperature monitored against the manufacturer's guidance. The manager said arrangements would be made to monitor it.
“The temperature of this room was not being monitored to ensure it remained within the temperature guidelines set by manufactures for medicines.” from the report
Opened food labelling
needs fixingSome opened food was not labelled with the date it had been opened. The manager arranged for this to be corrected immediately.
“Food in packaging that had been opened was not appropriately labelled with the date it was opened so that staff were able to ensure food was suitable for consumption.” from the report
Guidance not followed
minorThe home did not conform to Building the Right Support and Registering the Right Support guidance. Inspectors also found that people had choices and were encouraged to take part in the local community.
“Damascus House does not conform to Building the Right Support and Registering the Right Support guidance.” from the report
- 01How do you now monitor and record the temperature of the room where medicines are stored?
- 02How do you make sure opened food is labelled with the date it was opened?
- 03What does the home's non-conformity with Building the Right Support and Registering the Right Support guidance mean for my relative?
- 04How will my relative be involved in reviewing their care plan if their needs or health change?
- 05What activities, community opportunities and family contact would be available for my relative?
This was an unannounced comprehensive inspection covering all five key questions, and the previous Good rating from 10 March 2016 remained unchanged. This explanation was written from the published report of 10 August 2018 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 Damascus House
3 rated inspections over 8 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- November 2023Goodcurrent ratingstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- August 2018Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodWell-led: Good
- April 2016GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- May 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- January 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- December 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- January 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- December 2010
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 3 December 2010.
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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