CQC report explained · a nursing home
What the CQC found at Denehurst Nursing Home
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors found enough staff, safe recruitment, suitable risk management, effective medicine systems and good infection control. They noted that some care records and capacity information still needed strengthening.
- Effective?
- Good
- This key question was not inspected in detail during this visit. Its rating used for the overall rating carried over from the previous inspection.
- Caring?
- Good
- This key question was not inspected in detail during this visit. Inspectors did observe kind and compassionate care, but no separate Caring rating was given in this report.
- Responsive?
- Good
- This key question was not inspected in detail during this visit. Its rating used for the overall rating carried over from the previous inspection.
- Well-led?
- Good
- Inspectors found effective leadership, improved staff morale, good links with other professionals and systems for identifying and monitoring improvements.
What inspectors found, February 2023
Rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind care, but electronic care records needed improvement.
The inspection took place without notice on 30 January and 14 February 2023. The inspector spoke with people using the home, relatives and staff, observed care, and checked care, medicine, recruitment and management records.
The home was rated Good for Safe and Well-led. People said they felt safe and staff were kind, caring and available. Inspectors found enough staff, safe recruitment, effective medicine management, suitable infection control and systems for learning from incidents.
The manager had made improvements since taking up the post. However, the electronic care record system did not fully support staff to record capacity assessments, best-interest decisions and all aspects of people's care. The manager was working to improve this.
Kind and compassionate care
People said staff were caring and felt safe. Inspectors also observed kind and compassionate support.
“We observed staff deliver care and support in a kind and compassionate manner.” from the report
Enough staff
Inspectors found staffing levels met people's needs, and the provider regularly reviewed dependency levels.
“There were enough staff to meet people's needs.” from the report
Safe medicines management
Medicines were received, stored, given and destroyed safely. Clear instructions were in place for medicines given when needed.
“People's medicines were appropriately managed. Medicines were safely received, stored, administered and destroyed when required.” from the report
Improving leadership
The manager had identified gaps, acted on them and used action plans to track further improvements.
“The registered manager promoted a positive, person-centred culture.” from the report
Electronic care records
needs fixingThe electronic system did not support staff to record some capacity assessments and best-interest decisions accurately. The manager was working to address this.
“The electronic care records did not support staff to accurately record information about the completion of capacity assessments and best interest decisions.” from the report
Care planning detail
needs fixingInspectors discussed improving parts of the care records, including people's social histories and how staff should support people who choose unhealthy options.
“We discussed how to enhance and develop some aspects of the care records such as including people's social histories and exploring staff role in supporting people to make unhealthy choices.” from the report
- 01Has the electronic care record system been replaced or improved since the inspection?
- 02How do you now record capacity assessments and best-interest decisions?
- 03How are people's social histories included in their care plans?
- 04How do staff support people who choose to make unhealthy choices?
- 05How are staffing levels checked when people's needs change?
This inspection covered Safe and Well-led in detail; the other ratings used for the overall rating carried over from the previous inspection in 2017. This explanation was written from the published report of 25 February 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, November 2017
Rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and personalised care, with improvements planned for the tired exterior.
Inspectors visited unannounced on 3 November 2017. They spoke with people living in the home, relatives, staff and a visiting health professional. They also checked care and medicines records, recruitment files and management records.
The home was rated Good in all five areas: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. People said they felt safe and staff were caring, respectful and familiar with their needs. Medicines, staffing, safeguarding, care planning and complaints systems were found to be managed well.
The home had 32 people living there during the visit, with space for up to 33. A new roof had been fitted and replacement windows were planned because the outside of the home looked tired. The overall rating remained Good, as it had been at the previous inspection in April 2015.
Respectful care
Staff were observed protecting people's privacy and dignity and treating them in a gentle, respectful way.
“People were supported by care staff who were aware of how to protect their privacy and dignity and show them respect at all times.” from the report
Personalised plans
Care plans included people's histories, preferences and risks. Relatives were involved and plans were reviewed regularly.
“Care plans were comprehensive and contained up to date, accurate information.” from the report
Activities and community links
An activity coordinator arranged activities, entertainment, church services and links with local organisations. People were also supported to access the community.
“The service had good links with the local community. People who used the service accessed local shops and leisure facilities.” from the report
Tired exterior
minorThe outside of the home looked tired. Replacement windows were planned, although a new roof had recently been fitted.
“There was an investment programme of replacement windows planned and a new roof had recently been fitted as the exterior of the home looked tired.” from the report
- 01Have the planned replacement windows been completed, and what other work is planned for the home's exterior?
- 02How will you support my relative's specific nursing or dementia needs on the appropriate floor?
- 03How are relatives involved when care plans are reviewed or a person's condition changes?
- 04What activities and community visits are available for someone with my relative's interests and abilities?
- 05How do you check that medicines continue to be given at the right time and recorded correctly?
This was an unannounced inspection covering all five CQC questions, with checks of care and medicines records for five people and recruitment records for four care workers. This explanation was written from the published report of 24 November 2017 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 Denehurst Nursing Home
3 rated inspections over 8 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- February 2023Goodcurrent ratingstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- November 2017GoodSafe: GoodWell-led: Good
- July 2015Inspected but not ratedSafe: Inspected but not ratedEffective: Inspected but not ratedCaring: Inspected but not ratedResponsive: Inspected but not ratedWell-led: Inspected but not rated
- June 2015GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- January 2015
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 5 January 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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47 live-in carers within about an hour of County Durham
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 £960 to £1,210 a week. 42 can care for a couple. 10 years' experience on average.
“Petty introduced herself to Mum every time she was caring for her and responded very quickly to Mum if she was distressed in the night.”
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.