CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at De Lucy House
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors were assured that infection risks were being managed, including the use of protective equipment, testing, social distancing, cleaning and outbreak procedures.
- Effective?
- Good
- This was not assessed during this targeted inspection.
- Caring?
- Good
- This was not assessed during this targeted inspection.
- Responsive?
- Outstanding
- This was not assessed during this targeted inspection.
- Well-led?
- Good
- This was not assessed during this targeted inspection.
What inspectors found, February 2021
De Lucy House was inspected but not rated; inspectors found strong infection control and safe arrangements during a coronavirus outbreak.
This was an announced, targeted inspection on 27 January 2021. Inspectors checked infection prevention and control because the home had a coronavirus outbreak.
They found the home clean, well ventilated and supported by enhanced cleaning. Staff used protective equipment properly, had relevant training, and supplies were available.
Inspectors were assured that the home was managing visitors, social distancing, testing, admissions and outbreaks safely. People were helped to keep in touch with relatives through video calls, telephone calls and written communication.
The home was inspected but not rated. This means the visit did not give an overall quality rating or a separate Safe rating.
Clean environment
The home was clean, hygienic and well ventilated. Enhanced cleaning schedules were in place and checked regularly.
“The home was clean, hygienic, free of unpleasant odours and had adequate ventilation throughout.” from the report
Staff used protective equipment safely
Staff had infection control training and their skills were checked. Inspectors saw staff wearing protective equipment correctly, with enough supplies available.
“Staff were observed to be wearing PPE appropriately. There were sufficient supplies of PPE, with designated areas throughout the home for staff to access.” from the report
Infection control procedures
The home had infection control policies based on current government guidance. Staff understood and followed the procedures.
“Robust infection and control procedures (IPC) had been established which were understood and adhered to by the staff.” from the report
Contact with relatives
Although visitors were restricted during the outbreak, the home used other ways to help people keep in touch with their families.
“Considerable emphasis had been placed on finding different ways to enable people to maintain contact with their families” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01What infection control arrangements are in place now, including cleaning, ventilation and protective equipment?
- 02How are staff trained and checked to make sure they follow infection prevention procedures?
- 03How does the home manage visits when there is an infection outbreak?
- 04How will people keep in touch with relatives if visits are restricted?
- 05What resources did the CQC signpost the home to, and what changes have been made as a result?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control during a coronavirus outbreak; it did not rate the other areas of care. This explanation was written from the published report of 12 February 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, July 2018
De Lucy House was rated Good overall, with Outstanding personalised care and activities, and no breaches reported.
This was the home’s first inspection. It was an unannounced, comprehensive inspection on 24 April 2018. Two inspectors spoke with people living there, relatives, staff and health professionals. They also observed care and checked care records, recruitment, training and quality monitoring.
The inspectors found that people were safe, treated kindly and supported by trained staff. Medicines, staffing, infection control, risks, food, healthcare and consent arrangements were all judged Good.
The strongest area was how the home responded to people. Care was highly personalised, people helped plan their support, and activities were varied and tailored to individual interests. The home was rated Outstanding for Responsive and Good for the other four areas.
The report says this was the first inspection, so there was no previous rating to compare. No regulations were reported as breached.
Personalised care
People helped shape their care, and records gave staff detailed guidance about individual preferences, needs and independence.
“People's care records were highly personalised focussing on positive language and outcomes for people.” from the report
Activities and choice
The home offered a wide range of activities and adapted them to people's interests and changing abilities. People could choose how they spent their time.
“The service had an excellent range of activities with highly motivated staff ensuring they were individually relevant and adapted to suit people's changing needs.” from the report
Kind and respectful staff
Inspectors saw warm, respectful relationships. Staff supported privacy, dignity and independence and responded to people's wishes.
“People were valued and treated with kindness by compassionate staff.” from the report
Safe care
Risks, medicines, staffing, recruitment and emergency arrangements were checked and found to be safely managed.
“People's medicines were managed in a safe way.” from the report
Recent staff changes
minorThe home had recently gone through a period when several staff left and new staff started. Management said this had settled and recruitment challenges had been addressed, but families may want to ask about current staff stability.
“The acting manager explained that the service had been through a period of change with several staff leaving and new personnel starting.” from the report
Further end of life planning training
minorNo one was receiving end of life care during the inspection. The home was planning additional staff training on advance care planning.
“The acting manager advised us they were planning further training and support to staff on advance care planning (ACP), working closely with the local hospice team.” from the report
- 01How many permanent care staff are currently working here, and how do you cover sickness or other unplanned absences?
- 02What changes were made after the recent period when several staff left?
- 03How are my relative's hobbies, routines and personal preferences recorded and reviewed?
- 04What advance care planning support and training is now in place for staff?
- 05How will my relative and our family be involved in care reviews and in raising concerns?
This was the home's first unannounced comprehensive inspection and covered all five CQC questions. This explanation was written from the published report of 10 July 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 De Lucy House
Each visit the CQC has published, newest first, back to the day the home was registered.
- February 2021Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- July 2018GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: OutstandingWell-led: Good
- September 2015
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 14 September 2015.
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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13 live-in carers within about an hour of Norfolk
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 £990 to £1,120 a week. 9 can care for a couple. 14 years' experience on average.
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.