CQC report explained · a nursing home
What the CQC found at Delamere House
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Residents were protected from avoidable harm and prescribed medicines were managed safely. Inspectors recommended reviewing procedures for homely remedies and emergency evacuation.
- Effective?
- Good
- Needs were assessed and reviewed, care plans were personalised, and staff received induction, training and supervision. Residents were supported with healthcare, food and drink, and appropriate legal authorisations were in place.
- Caring?
- Good
- Residents told inspectors they were happy with their support. Staff knew residents well, treated them with kindness and respect, and encouraged independence and involvement in decisions.
- Responsive?
- Good
- Care plans reflected residents' preferences, communication needs and goals. Staff supported work, education, leisure and community activities, although relatives gave mixed feedback about how consistently planned activities were followed.
- Well-led?
- Good
- Inspectors found a positive, person-centred culture. Leaders used audits, meetings, supervision and feedback to monitor care, support staff and learn from events.
What inspectors found, August 2023
The Annex rated Good; inspectors found kind, personalised care, with improvements needed to medicine guidance and emergency evacuation plans.
This was the first inspection since the home registered in January 2022. Inspectors visited on 31 May, 7 June and 9 June 2023. They spoke with both residents, two relatives and 10 staff, observed care, and checked care, medicine, recruitment and management records.
The home was rated Good overall and Good in all five areas: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. Inspectors found that residents were treated with dignity, supported to make choices and encouraged to build independence at home and in the community.
Inspectors identified some areas to improve. The medicine policy did not explain procedures for homely remedies, and emergency evacuation arrangements needed continued review. These issues were addressed promptly during the inspection where possible, and the report made recommendations rather than recording any breaches.
Personalised support
Care plans included residents' preferences, communication needs and goals. Support was adapted to each person's wishes.
“People were encouraged to have choice and support was personalised to their wishes.” from the report
Kind and respectful care
Residents were comfortable with staff and said they were happy with their support. Staff understood their needs and promoted dignity and respect.
“The Annex treated each person with kindness and respect.” from the report
Building independence
Residents were encouraged to develop practical skills, use the community and consider work, education and leisure opportunities.
“People were encouraged to be as independent as possible in their home and out in the community.” from the report
Safe prescribed medicines
Prescribed medicines were stored securely, records were completed accurately, and trained staff administered medicines.
“Prescribed medicines were managed safely in line with national guidance.” from the report
Positive leadership
Inspectors found that people and staff felt listened to. The home used audits, supervision and reviews to support quality and learning.
“There was a positive person-centred culture and people felt engaged and listened to.” from the report
Homely remedies policy
needs fixingThe medicine policy did not explain staff responsibilities for homely remedies. Inspectors recommended reviewing it against best practice guidance.
“The provider's medication policy did not include information relating to home remedies medication to ensure staff understood their responsibilities in this area.” from the report
Emergency evacuation
needs fixingInspectors found that evacuation systems needed continued review so residents could leave the building as promptly as possible. Some issues were addressed during the inspection.
“We recommend the registered manager continues to review emergency evacuation systems to ensure that people can exit the building as promptly as possible.” from the report
Staff consistency
minorRelatives gave mixed feedback about staff turnover and consistency. The manager said recruitment was ongoing and that the induction process would be reviewed.
“There is a high turnover of staff, new staff come, and it creates some inconsistency” from the report
Following activity plans
minorRelatives gave mixed feedback about whether residents were encouraged consistently to follow planned activities and go out into the community.
“They need to encourage [Person] more to follow the planner and get out,” from the report
- 01What has changed in the medicine policy for homely remedies since the inspection?
- 02How are emergency evacuation arrangements tested and kept suitable for each resident?
- 03What is the current staff turnover, and how do you maintain consistent support when new staff join?
- 04How do you make sure each resident is encouraged to follow their activity and community plans?
- 05How are residents and relatives involved in reviewing care plans and future goals?
This was the first inspection and covered all five key questions, including infection prevention and control; no resident was receiving end-of-life care at the time. This explanation was written from the published report of 15 August 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.
Every inspection of Delamere House
Each visit the CQC has published, newest first, back to the day the home was registered.
- August 2023Goodcurrent ratingSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- January 2022
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 6 January 2022.
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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84 live-in carers within about an hour of Cheshire West and Chester
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. 76 can care for a couple. 10 years' experience on average.
“She is an exemplary carer, she is knowledgable empathetic and very respectful in the home.”
“It was clear that she genuinely cared and her warm approach really helped put our minds at ease.”
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.