CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Dovecote
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors found that risks, medicines, staffing, safeguarding and infection prevention were managed safely. They also found that lessons were learnt when things went wrong.
- Effective?
- Good
- This area was not inspected during this focused inspection. Its previous rating was used when calculating the overall rating.
- Caring?
- Good
- This area was not inspected during this focused inspection. Its previous rating was used when calculating the overall rating.
- Responsive?
- Good
- This area was not inspected during this focused inspection. Its previous rating was used when calculating the overall rating.
- Well-led?
- Good
- Inspectors found effective oversight, regular audits and action to resolve issues. People and staff were involved in shaping the service, and the manager worked with other professionals.
What inspectors found, June 2023
Rated Good; inspectors found safe care and stronger leadership after earlier concerns.
This was an unannounced focused inspection on 4 and 9 May 2023. The inspector spoke with people, staff and health and social care professionals, observed care and checked care, medicines, recruitment, incident and management records.
The home was rated Good for Safe and Well-led. Inspectors found that risks and medicines were managed safely, staffing was sufficient, infection controls were in place and incidents were investigated. They also found better checks, audits and oversight by the manager.
The previous rating was Requires Improvement, with breaches of regulations. The report says improvements had been made and the home was no longer in breach. The overall rating became Good, although ratings for the other areas were carried forward because they were not inspected this time.
Risks managed
People's risks were assessed, monitored and reviewed. Emergency evacuation plans and environmental safety checks were in place.
“Risks were assessed, managed and monitored to keep people safe from harm.” from the report
Medicines
Medicines systems were embedded. Records included important safety information and people were supported to manage their medicines independently where appropriate.
“Medicines systems and processes in place were fully embedded and staff told us confidently how they supported people with their prescribed medicines.” from the report
Improved leadership
The manager had introduced audits and tracking systems. Inspectors found that care plans and safeguarding concerns were reviewed and that action was taken.
“The manager had effective oversight of the service and was praised by staff, people and health and social care professionals for the changes they had made at the service.” from the report
Involving people
Weekly meetings gave people and staff opportunities to influence the service. Inspectors found the culture was person-centred, inclusive and empowering.
“People and staff were involved in shaping the service.” from the report
Manager registration
minorThere was no registered manager in post when inspectors visited. A new manager had applied to register, but the application was still being assessed.
“At the time of our inspection there was not a registered manager in post.” from the report
- 01Has the manager's application to become registered been completed, and who is responsible for the home now?
- 02How are people's risk assessments reviewed when their mental health needs or distress change?
- 03How are medicine errors investigated and the learning shared with staff and residents?
- 04What audits are currently being carried out, and how are outstanding issues followed up?
- 05How are people and staff involved in weekly meetings and in decisions about the service?
This was a focused inspection of Safe and Well-led only; the other ratings carried over from the previous inspection. This explanation was written from the published report of 23 June 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, January 2022
Inspected but not rated; inspectors found strong COVID-19 infection controls and visiting arrangements.
This was a targeted inspection on 6 January 2022. Inspectors checked infection prevention and control, visiting arrangements and whether COVID-19 staffing pressures affected the home. The inspection was announced 24 hours in advance.
Inspectors were assured that the home used personal protective equipment safely, carried out testing, managed visits and admissions safely, and kept its infection control policy up to date.
The home monitored entry, including negative lateral flow tests and temperatures. It also recorded vaccination status for visiting professionals and took action when positive test results were found.
The overall service was inspected but not rated. The Safe question was also inspected but not rated. This report does not provide ratings for the other four questions.
Infection control
The home had measures to reduce infection risks and manage a possible COVID-19 outbreak. Individual risk assessments were updated regularly.
“The registered manager had implemented robust measures to protect people from the risk of infection.” from the report
Safe visiting arrangements
Entry was monitored through testing and temperature checks. Visiting guidance was clearly displayed for staff.
“Entry to the care home was strictly monitored in order to protect people from the risk of infection.” from the report
Information and involvement
People could discuss their concerns and fears in daily meetings. They were supported with information about testing and vaccination.
“People were supported to make informed choices regarding testing for COVID-19 and receiving the vaccination.” from the report
Testing and action
COVID-19 testing was logged, so positive results could be identified. The home took immediate action after a positive result.
“Immediate action was taken in the event of a positive result in order to protect everyone using the service and the wider community.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How have your infection prevention and control arrangements changed since the inspection on 6 January 2022?
- 02What are your current arrangements for visiting, including testing and any vaccination requirements?
- 03How do you manage staffing pressures when staff are absent because of COVID-19?
- 04How are people currently supported to understand and make choices about testing and vaccination?
- 05What action do you take if a person or staff member tests positive for an infection?
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 and the other four key questions were not assessed. This explanation was written from the published report of 15 January 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.
Every inspection of Dovecote
2 rated inspections over 3 years: the service has improved, from Requires improvement to Good.
- June 2023Goodcurrent ratingSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- January 2022Inspected but not ratedSafe: Inspected but not rated
- January 2020Requires improvementSafe: Requires improvementWell-led: Requires improvement
- December 2018
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 12 December 2018.
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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