CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Doddlespool Hall Care Home
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors looked only at accident and incident management and infection prevention and control. They found no concerns in these areas, but did not review the whole Safe question.
- Effective?
- Good
- Not assessed in this targeted inspection.
- Caring?
- Good
- Not assessed in this targeted inspection.
- Responsive?
- Good
- Not assessed in this targeted inspection.
- Well-led?
- Good
- Not assessed in this targeted inspection.
What inspectors found, November 2021
Doddlespool Hall Care Home was inspected but not rated; inspectors found no concerns in the areas checked and said its previous Good rating remained unchanged.
This was a targeted inspection on 9 November 2021. It followed a concern about how the home managed accidents and incidents. Inspectors also checked infection prevention and control, including its response to COVID-19.
Inspectors found that accidents and incidents were recorded, reviewed and used to improve people's care. The home sought outside professional help when needed. Inspectors were also assured about staff training, protective equipment, testing, hygiene and visits.
The inspection did not cover the whole Safe question or the other four questions. The home was therefore not given new ratings. Its previous overall rating of Good, published in September 2019, remained unchanged.
Learning from accidents
Staff recorded accidents and incidents and changed care plans when risks changed. The manager reviewed incidents and increased night staffing after several night-time falls.
“Lessons were learned when things went wrong. Staff recorded accidents and incidents and reviewed people's care following these.” from the report
Outside professional support
People could receive help from professionals such as a GP, physiotherapist or falls team when this was needed after an accident or incident.
“People had access to external professionals following accidents and incidents should this be required.” from the report
Infection control
Inspectors were assured about protective equipment, testing, hygiene, social distancing, admissions and arrangements for managing outbreaks.
“We were assured that the provider was making sure infection outbreaks can be effectively prevented or managed.” from the report
Keeping people connected
Staff used different ways to help people stay in touch with those important to them and arranged a Christmas show when outside entertainment was not possible.
“People were supported to keep in touch with those important to them by staff in a variety of innovative ways.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How do you record, review and learn from accidents and incidents now?
- 02What changes would you make if my relative had repeated falls, particularly at night?
- 03How would you involve my relative and our family after an accident or incident?
- 04What infection prevention arrangements are currently in place for protective equipment, testing and visits?
This was a targeted inspection of specific concerns about accident and incident management and infection control; it did not assess the whole Safe question or the other four questions, so the previous ratings carried over. This explanation was written from the published report of 17 November 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, September 2019
Doddlespool Hall Care Home was rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and well-managed care, with some improvements still needed around meals, dementia-friendly features and activities.
Inspectors visited without notice on 14 August 2019. They spoke with people living in the home, relatives, staff and visiting professionals. They checked care records, medicines, recruitment, training, audits and the building.
The home was rated Good in all five areas: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. Inspectors found enough trained staff, safe medicines practice, good infection control and prompt access to healthcare.
People said staff were respectful, kind and listened to them. Care was planned around people's needs and preferences. There were activities, support at the end of life and systems for handling concerns.
There were some weaknesses, including a slow lunchtime when staffing was misunderstood, limited dementia-friendly equipment and signs, furniture that was difficult to move, and activities that did not suit everyone.
Safe staffing
Inspectors found enough suitably skilled and experienced staff to meet people's needs. Recruitment checks were completed before staff started work.
“There were sufficient, suitably skilled and experienced staff to meet people's needs.” from the report
Respectful care
People said staff were caring, respectful and considerate. Staff involved people in decisions and supported their independence.
“People said they were happy with their care and were treated with respect and consideration.” from the report
Healthcare support
People could see healthcare professionals promptly. Staff worked effectively with health and social care professionals and responded quickly when people were unwell or distressed.
“Staff helped people to receive health care promptly to improve their health and wellbeing.” from the report
Management and oversight
The management team regularly checked the quality of care, listened to people's views and acted on concerns and suggestions.
“They frequently completed audits and reviewed care provided, then acted on findings.” from the report
Lunchtime staffing
needs fixingA misunderstanding meant one fewer staff member stayed in the dining room at lunchtime. This slowed the service and left one person with little support.
“A misunderstanding at lunchtime meant one staff less stayed in the dining room.” from the report
Dementia-friendly environment
minorThe home had limited dementia-friendly activities, equipment and signs. The management team had started researching improvements.
“Dementia friendly activities, equipment and signage were limited.” from the report
Furniture layout
minorOne person found furniture in a refurbished lounge too far apart and too heavy to move. This made it harder to sit close to friends and relatives.
“This made it difficult to sit closely with friends and relatives.” from the report
Activities did not suit everyone
minorA range of activities was available, but one person said they were very bored and did not like them.
“However one person said they were 'bored stiff' and didn't like the activities.” from the report
- 01How do you make sure there are enough staff in the dining room at every meal?
- 02What dementia-friendly equipment, signs and activities have you added since this inspection?
- 03How do you find out which activities each person enjoys, especially if they do not join the usual activities?
- 04Have you changed the furniture layout so people can sit comfortably with visitors?
- 05How do you check that care plans remain up to date and reflect each person's preferences?
This was a planned, unannounced inspection covering all five CQC questions; all five ratings remained Good, as at the previous inspection published in March 2017. This explanation was written from the published report of 17 September 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 Doddlespool Hall Care Home
2 rated inspections over 3 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- November 2021Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- September 2019Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- March 2017GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- July 2016
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 15 July 2016.
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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