CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Dovecote View Chichester
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
What inspectors found, March 2021
Dovecote View Chichester remained Good overall; a targeted inspection found suitable infection controls and respectful end-of-life care, but this visit was not rated.
The CQC made an unannounced, targeted inspection on 1 February 2021. It looked mainly at infection prevention and control after a COVID-19 outbreak, and at end-of-life care following concerns that had been raised.
The inspector observed staff, spoke with the manager, staff and three relatives, and reviewed care plans, end-of-life records and infection control records. The inspection found suitable measures for PPE, testing, cleaning, social distancing, visiting and managing outbreaks.
Inspectors were also assured that people received dignified and individualised end-of-life care. Families were involved in decisions, people's wishes were recorded, and health professionals helped staff manage pain and other symptoms.
This visit did not change the previous overall rating of Good. Safe and Responsive were marked inspected but not rated because only specific areas were checked. The other key questions were not assessed during this targeted visit.
Infection control
The home had measures in place to prevent and manage infection during the COVID-19 outbreak. Staff used PPE correctly and had received infection control training.
“Staff had received training in IPC and demonstrated a good understanding of PPE use.” from the report
Family contact
The home used alternative visiting arrangements and kept relatives updated during restrictions. Relatives said staff worked hard to maintain contact and protect people's wellbeing.
“The management put in place stringent hygiene policies to protect residents and, when circumstances meant residents were confined to their rooms, would visit them regularly to ensure they were not lonely.” from the report
End-of-life care
Care plans recorded people's wishes and relatives were involved in decisions. Inspectors found that people were supported to have comfort, dignity and effective symptom management.
“Advanced care plans evidenced peoples wishes and choices they had made about their end of life care.” from the report
Supportive management
Staff said they felt supported by the management during the outbreak. Relatives also described the home as organised and well managed.
“Staff consistently reported on how they felt supported by the management during the outbreak.” from the report
Recent COVID-19 outbreak
minorThe home had experienced an outbreak that had a significant impact on residents and staff. Management and staff were still reflecting on what had happened and considering lessons for future practice.
“The service had experienced an outbreak and the registered manager and staff were in the process of reflecting on this.” from the report
- 01What lessons from the recent COVID-19 outbreak have been put into practice?
- 02How are relatives kept informed when face-to-face visits are restricted?
- 03How are end-of-life wishes recorded, reviewed and shared with relatives and health professionals?
- 04What checks and isolation arrangements are used when a new person is admitted?
- 05How are pain and other symptoms monitored and managed when someone is nearing the end of life?
This was an unannounced targeted inspection of infection prevention and control and end-of-life care; it did not assess the full key questions, and the previous overall Good rating remained unchanged. This explanation was written from the published report of 24 March 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, April 2019
Rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and personalised care, with one consent process completed after the inspection.
This was an unannounced planned inspection on 19 February 2019. Inspectors spoke with people, relatives, staff, managers and a health professional. They observed care and checked care plans, medicines, staffing, training, accidents, safety records and audits.
The home was rated Good in all five areas: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. Inspectors found enough staff, safe medicines arrangements, detailed care plans, suitable training, good food and activities, and a clean and comfortable home.
People and relatives were positive about the care. Staff were seen treating people kindly, respectfully and patiently. The home had remained Good since the previous inspection, published on 9 September 2016.
Inspectors noted one delay in checking whether a person had capacity to consent to a specific restriction. The manager said this assessment was completed after the inspection. No regulations were reported as breached.
Kind and respectful care
Staff were calm, patient and attentive. Inspectors saw people being treated with dignity and respect.
“People were supported and treated with dignity and respect; and involved as partners in their care.” from the report
Safe staffing and risk checks
The report found enough staff to meet people's needs. Risks were assessed and equipment and building safety were checked.
“Sufficient numbers of staff were provided to meet people's needs.” from the report
Personalised care
Care plans included people's needs, preferences, routines, relationships and interests. Staff were given clear guidance about how to support each person.
“Care plans were detailed and gave staff clear guidance on how to support people” from the report
Activities and food
People had a choice of food and were supported to eat and drink. Daily activities, entertainers, trips and use of the garden were available.
“A range of activities were provided for people and the home employed an activities coordinator.” from the report
Clean and comfortable home
Inspectors found the home comfortable, clean and hygienic, with suitable adaptations for people with mobility needs.
“The home was found to be clean and hygienic.” from the report
Good management oversight
The home used audits, surveys, meetings and improvement plans to monitor quality and gather people's views.
“The service was well managed and a range of audits were used to monitor the quality and safety of the services provided.” from the report
One delayed capacity assessment
needs fixingOne application for a restriction had been made before the assessment of the person's capacity to consent. The manager said the assessment was completed after the inspection.
“We did note one application had been made before an assessment was made to determine if a person had capacity to consent to a specific restriction.” from the report
- 01How do you make sure capacity assessments are completed before any restriction is used?
- 02What staffing levels are normally provided during the day and evening, and how do you respond if people's needs change?
- 03How often are care plans reviewed with residents and relatives, and how are changes put into practice?
- 04What activities and trips are currently available for people who do and do not want to join group activities?
- 05How do you monitor whether concerns, complaints and accidents lead to changes in care?
This was an unannounced planned inspection covering all five CQC questions; the home remained Good in every area, as at the previous inspection published on 9 September 2016. This explanation was written from the published report of 4 April 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 Dovecote View Chichester
2 rated inspections over 3 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- March 2021Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not ratedResponsive: Inspected but not rated
- April 2019Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- September 2016GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- October 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- February 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- March 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- February 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- December 2010
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 7 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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28 live-in carers within about an hour of West Sussex
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 £1,170 a week. 23 can care for a couple. 11 years' experience on average.
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.