CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Don Thomson House Residential Care Home
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors found that risks were assessed, staff understood safeguarding procedures, staffing was sufficient and medicines were managed safely. One delayed call-bell response was seen during a staff changeover.
- Effective?
- Good
- People had assessments and care plans that reflected their needs. Staff were trained and supported, and people received help with nutrition, medicines and healthcare.
- Caring?
- Good
- Inspectors observed respectful and caring relationships. Staff supported privacy, dignity, independence and contact with families.
- Responsive?
- Good
- Care plans included people's preferences, interests, cultural needs and communication needs. Activities and ways to raise complaints were available.
- Well-led?
- Good
- The manager was present and staff said they felt supported. The home used meetings, audits and other checks to monitor quality and make improvements.
What inspectors found, March 2018
Don Thomson House Residential Care Home was rated Good; inspectors found kind, safe care, with one delayed call-bell response noted during a staff changeover.
This was a planned inspection on 25 January 2018. The inspector and an expert by experience reviewed records, observed care and meals, looked around the home, and spoke with people, relatives, staff and managers.
The home was rated Good overall. It was also rated Good for Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. Inspectors found suitable staffing, safe medicines management, individual care plans, support with food and healthcare, respectful staff and regular quality checks.
The home had also been rated Good at the previous inspection on 29 September 2015, so the report says it remained Good. Inspectors noted one delayed call-bell response during a staff changeover, which the manager addressed with staff after the inspection.
Kind and respectful staff
Inspectors saw positive relationships between people and staff. People were treated with dignity and supported to make choices and remain independent.
“We observed positive and caring relationships between people and the staff.” from the report
Safe medicines support
Medicines were stored and managed safely. Staff received training and checks, and guidance was available for medicines given when needed.
“There were effective systems in place to store medicines to ensure people were safe from the risks associated with them.” from the report
Activities and relationships
People were supported to take part in activities, keep in touch with relatives and access the local community.
“People were engaged and looked like they were enjoying the experience.” from the report
Quality checks
The manager and provider used audits covering areas such as medicines, care plans, infection control, food hygiene and staff training.
“Quality monitoring was in place and we saw that actions were taken to drive improvement.” from the report
Delayed call-bell response
needs fixingInspectors saw delayed responses to call bells on one occasion during a staff changeover. The manager discussed this with staff after the inspection.
“Whilst this was the case we noted on one occasion during a shift change of staff that call bell responses were delayed” from the report
Food may not suit everyone
minorPeople had choices and could request alternatives, but one person said the food was bland and boring. Families may wish to check how individual preferences are handled.
“Foods a bit bland, I am probably what you'd call a fussy eater, so I find it a bit boring.” from the report
- 01What changes were made after the delayed call-bell response during the staff changeover?
- 02How do you check that call bells are answered promptly at busy times and during handovers?
- 03What progress has been made with the planned refurbishment to make the environment more dementia-friendly?
- 04How are each person's food preferences recorded and reviewed if they find meals unsuitable?
- 05How are families involved in reviewing care plans and decisions about healthcare?
This was a planned inspection of the overall service, including the premises and care, and all five CQC questions were rated. This explanation was written from the published report of 16 March 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 Don Thomson House Residential Care Home
2 rated inspections over 2 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- March 2018Goodcurrent ratingstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
Read what inspectors found at Don Thomson House Residential Care Home →
- October 2015GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- October 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- November 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- December 2011
Report published without a new overall rating.
- December 2010
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 16 December 2010.
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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35 live-in carers within about an hour of Essex
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 £1,020 to £1,260 a week. 25 can care for a couple. 10 years' experience on average.
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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.