CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Dean Park
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
What inspectors found, February 2022
Inspected but not rated; inspectors found strong infection-control arrangements at Dean Park.
This was a targeted, announced inspection on 3 February 2022. It looked at infection prevention and control, visiting arrangements, and whether COVID-19 staffing pressures affected the home.
Inspectors were assured that visitors were protected from infection, PPE was used safely, testing was available, and the home was clean. They also found safe arrangements for admissions, including COVID-19 testing and plans for isolation.
The home had cleaning schedules, infection-control audits, staff training and checks, supplies of PPE, and an outbreak plan. Visits were being supported through technology, outdoor visits and safe face-to-face visits in line with guidance.
The service was inspected but not rated. This means the report does not give a new overall rating or ratings for the other areas of care.
Visitor safety
Professionals visiting the home had to follow several safety checks, including testing, vaccination evidence, temperature checks, hand sanitising and PPE.
“Safe arrangements were in place for professionals visiting the service.” from the report
Clean environment
The home was clean and fresh. Regular cleaning and audits were in place, including extra cleaning of frequently touched surfaces.
“The service was clean and fresh, staff carried out a regular cleaning schedule.” from the report
Safe admissions
New admissions required a confirmed negative COVID-19 test, and the environment had been assessed for possible isolation arrangements.
“The provider had robust systems to ensure safe admissions, including only allowing new admissions after a confirmed negative result of the Covid-19 test.” from the report
PPE training and supplies
Staff had infection-control training, their PPE skills were checked, and the home had a sufficient supply of PPE.
“Staff had received training on infection prevention and control guidance.” from the report
Keeping in touch
Relatives could stay in contact through technology and safe visits, including visits outdoors and in well-ventilated spaces.
“People's relatives were able to stay in touch with people.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How are visitors and visiting professionals checked for infection risks now?
- 02How often are cleaning schedules and infection-control audits completed, and how are actions followed up?
- 03What testing and isolation arrangements are used when someone is admitted to the home?
- 04How often are staff checked as competent in using and disposing of PPE?
- 05How are visits currently arranged, and what happens if there is an infection outbreak?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control, visiting arrangements and COVID-19-related staffing pressures; the service was inspected but not rated. This explanation was written from the published report of 16 February 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, January 2019
Rated Good overall, with Outstanding responsiveness; inspectors found safe, kind care and strong support for people's individual lives.
This was an unannounced inspection on 14 November 2018. One inspector and an Expert by Experience reviewed records, medicines, staffing, training, health and safety, and quality checks. They also spoke with people, staff, relatives and a health professional.
The home supported up to five people with learning disabilities. Four people lived there during the inspection. Inspectors found enough suitably recruited staff, safe medicines arrangements, suitable risk assessments and a clean, well-maintained environment.
Care was effective and caring. People were supported to make choices, stay independent, access health care and take part in activities. The home was rated Good overall. Safe, Effective, Caring and Well-led were rated Good, while Responsive was rated Outstanding. The report says the overall Good rating was unchanged from May 2016.
Safe staffing and medicines
Inspectors found enough staff to meet people's needs, including helping people access the community. Medicines were given on time and records were complete.
“There were enough staff available to allow people to access the community and to have their personal needs met.” from the report
Health and independence
The home helped people improve their health and fitness, including through healthier eating and exercise. One person's improved health led to better-controlled diabetes and fewer medicines.
“The person's weight loss together with their improved emotional and physical health meant that their medical conditions such as diabetes had improved and was better controlled.” from the report
Respect and choice
People were supported to make everyday choices, maintain independence and communicate in ways that worked for them. Staff protected privacy and dignity.
“People's choices included ways of spending their day, places to go, times of going to bed and getting up.” from the report
Individual activities and community life
People took part in a wide range of activities and trips. Staff supported people to maintain social links and access community opportunities.
“The person went to the day centre twice a week which was sourced by the registered manager, attended coffee mornings weekly at Swindon Advocacy Movement.” from the report
Open management
Staff said they were supported by the manager, whose approach was described as open and caring. Quality checks had led to changes such as new fire evacuation logs.
“The provider continued to use an effective quality assurance system for monitoring all aspects of the service.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How often are organised town trips and day trips now offered?
- 02How would you support my relative to make everyday choices and communicate their needs?
- 03What activities and community opportunities would be available for my relative each week?
- 04How would you support my relative's health, nutrition, exercise and access to health professionals?
- 05How are medicines, risks and changes in care needs checked and recorded?
This was an unannounced inspection covering all five key questions, and the overall Good rating was unchanged from May 2016. This explanation was written from the published report of 1 January 2019 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 Dean Park
2 rated inspections over 3 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- February 2022Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- January 2019Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: OutstandingWell-led: Good
- May 2016GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- September 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- April 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- December 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- November 2011
Report published without a new overall rating.
- February 2011
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 4 February 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.
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44 live-in carers within about an hour of Swindon
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 £1,280 a week. 34 can care for a couple. 12 years' experience on average.
“Linet became her carer and all changed, my daughter started eating, taking her medications and more important her happiness came back.”
“She was very caring, kind and patient to all his needs, she built up a wondetful rapport with him, she was dedicated and was there for him through good times as well as through the tough times”
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.