CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Easterlea
Rated Requires improvement: inspectors found the home was not performing as well as it should and told it what to change.
What inspectors found, February 2021
Inspected but not rated; inspectors found good infection control and visiting arrangements at Easterlea.
This was an unannounced, targeted inspection on 18 January 2021. It followed concerns about infection prevention and control. Inspectors looked at how the home managed infection risks.
Inspectors found safe visiting procedures, regular COVID-19 testing, safe arrangements for new admissions and suitable use of protective equipment. The home was clean, with detailed cleaning records and regular cleaning of frequently touched surfaces.
The home was rated “Inspected but not rated” overall and for safety. This means the visit checked infection control arrangements but did not give a new quality rating.
Safe visiting arrangements
The home had appointments, temperature checks, protective equipment and a designated window visiting area. Indoor visits had been paused after consultation and a risk assessment, except for people receiving end-of-life care.
“There were procedures in place to support safe visiting, including appointments, temperature checks on arrival, provision of masks and aprons and use of a designated window visiting area” from the report
Testing and new admissions
People and staff were routinely tested. New admissions needed recent test results, were tested again and isolated on arrival to reduce infection risks.
“New admissions to the service were supported in line with best practice guidance.” from the report
Cleaning and protective equipment
The home had detailed cleaning schedules, including regular cleaning of high-touch surfaces. Inspectors found enough protective equipment, which staff were using correctly.
“The care home was kept clean. Staff kept detailed records of their cleaning schedules, which included a rolling programme of continuously cleaning high touch surfaces” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01What are the current visiting arrangements, and how are decisions about indoor visits reviewed?
- 02How often are people and staff tested for infections, and what happens after a positive result?
- 03How are new residents tested and supported when they first arrive?
- 04How do you check that high-touch areas are cleaned regularly and that protective equipment is available?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control under the Safe question; it did not provide ratings for the other areas or an overall quality rating. This explanation was written from the published report of 16 February 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, March 2019
Easterlea rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and personalised care, with progress after food safety concerns.
This was an unannounced inspection on 8 January 2019. One inspector checked the home, which provides accommodation and support for up to 18 older people, including people who may be living with dementia.
The home kept its previous Good rating in all five areas: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. Inspectors found people were safe, treated with care and respect, and received support that met their changing needs.
The Food Standards Agency had raised concerns after a food safety assessment was not passed. The home had taken action on most of the points raised, and inspectors found that people were not placed at risk and that food quality had not been compromised.
There were no concerns raised during this inspection. The CQC planned to inspect again within 30 months and continue monitoring information received about the home.
Safe medicines practice
Inspectors found medicines were administered and stored safely. Records and guidance for as-required medicines were clear.
“Medicine administration was safe and medicines were stored appropriately.” from the report
Kind and respectful care
Staff knew people well and responded with compassion when people were upset or anxious. People were supported with privacy and dignity.
“Staff had a very good knowledge of people they supported and there was a lot of laughter and care shown during interactions.” from the report
Personalised support
Care plans recorded people's needs, preferences and routines. They were reviewed monthly, with people and families involved where appropriate.
“People's care plans were detailed and contained information about people's needs.” from the report
Good management and monitoring
The home used regular audits covering areas such as care plans, falls, medicines and infection control. Inspectors found action was taken when improvements were identified.
“The quality assurance system included monthly audits including care plans, falls analysis, medicine management and infection control carried out by the registered manager.” from the report
Previous food safety issues
needs fixingThe Food Standards Agency had found that the home had not passed its food safety assessment. The home had taken action on most issues, and inspectors found people were not at risk during this inspection.
“We received information from the Food Standards Agency (FSA) advising us the home had been inspected and had not passed their assessment of safety.” from the report
- 01What action was taken on each of the Food Standards Agency's findings, and how are food safety checks recorded now?
- 02How will you assess and review my relative's risks, including falls, nutrition, skin care and moving around the home?
- 03How will my relative and our family be involved in monthly care plan reviews?
- 04How are medicines, including as-required medicines, recorded and reviewed?
- 05What activities and communication support would be available for my relative's interests and needs?
This was a comprehensive inspection covering all five CQC questions, so all five ratings were assessed during the visit. This explanation was written from the published report of 22 March 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 Easterlea
3 rated inspections over 4 years: the service has improved, from Requires improvement to Good.
- February 2021Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- March 2019Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- September 2016Goodup from Requires improvementSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- July 2015Requires improvementSafe: GoodEffective: Requires improvementCaring: Requires improvementResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- September 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- June 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- February 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- January 2011
Report published without a new overall rating.
- January 2011
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 4 January 2011.
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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26 live-in carers within about an hour of Hampshire
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. 23 can care for a couple. 14 years' experience on average.
“I cannot recommend Prisca highly enough, she is one in a million.”
“He stayed with her throughout the pandemic, refusing to visit his own family, who lived nearby, to reduce the risk of infection.”
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.