CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Edgemont House
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
What inspectors found, June 2023
Requires Improvement; inspectors found kind and consistent care, but serious weaknesses in medicines, recruitment and management checks.
The unannounced inspection took place on 9 May 2023. One inspector and an Expert by Experience spoke with people, relatives and staff, observed care and reviewed care, medicines, recruitment and management records.
People and relatives said people felt safe and were happy with the care. Inspectors found enough staff, a consistent team who knew people well, clean premises, safe infection control and support for people's choices.
However, medicines were not always managed safely. Recruitment checks were incomplete, including missing references and out-of-date DBS checks. The home's audits and other checks had not found or corrected these problems.
The overall rating changed from Good to Requires Improvement. The Safe and Well-led ratings were both Requires Improvement. The provider was asked for an action plan, and the CQC said it would monitor progress.
Enough staff
Inspectors found enough staff to keep people safe and meet their needs. People and relatives also described staff as available and responsive.
“People were supported by a consistent team of staff who knew them well, there were enough staff to keep people safe and meet their needs.” from the report
People felt safe
People and relatives said people felt safe with the care. Staff had safeguarding training and knew how to report possible abuse.
“People and their relatives told us people were safe being supported by the service.” from the report
Respect for choices
Inspectors found that staff sought consent, respected personal choices and supported people under the Mental Capacity Act.
“People told us staff sought their consent and respected their personal choices, our observations confirmed this.” from the report
Clean and welcoming home
The home was clean and well maintained. Relatives were welcomed when visiting, and inspectors saw positive interactions between people, relatives and staff.
“There was a homely, friendly and relaxed atmosphere within the service.” from the report
Medicines were not managed safely
seriousMedicine stocks did not always match the records. Some medicines were not stored securely, staff competency checks were not up to date and written instructions for 'as required' medicines were missing.
“Medicines were not managed safely in line with national guidance.” from the report
Recruitment checks were incomplete
seriousSome staff files did not contain employment histories or references. Nine staff had not had their DBS checks renewed within the timescale in the provider's procedure.
“This meant recently recruited staff had not been assessed appropriately during the recruitment process as safe to work with vulnerable adults.” from the report
Some risk records needed more detail
needs fixingA small number of records about choking risks and specific behaviours needed more information. The manager updated these records during the inspection.
“We found a couple of examples where records containing information about people's risks related to choking and specific behaviours required further detail.” from the report
- 01How are medicines now counted, checked, stored and recorded, including 'as required' medicines?
- 02Have all staff recruitment files been checked for employment histories, references and DBS checks?
- 03How are staff competency checks for giving medicines completed and refreshed?
- 04How will your audits now identify problems that were missed during the inspection?
- 05How will you record lessons learned from incidents and checks made by the provider?
This inspection rated Safe and Well-led; the other key question ratings were not inspected and were carried over from the previous inspection when calculating the overall rating. This explanation was written from the published report of 30 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, May 2021
Edgemont House was inspected but not rated; inspectors found strong infection control and support for residents and families during the pandemic.
This was an announced, targeted inspection of infection prevention and control during the coronavirus pandemic. The report says the inspection visit took place on 6 May 2021, although the front of the report gives 5 May 2021.
Inspectors were assured that the home managed visitors, testing, personal protective equipment, social distancing, cleaning and admissions safely. Infection control policies were up to date, and staff received training and spot checks.
The home also supported family visits, residents' emotional wellbeing and contact with health professionals. The service was inspected but not rated, so this report does not give a full overall quality rating.
Infection control
The home had infection control policies, contingency plans, staff training and regular checks of personal protective equipment and practice.
“There were clear policies, procedures and contingency plans in place.” from the report
Family visiting
Visitor arrangements were reviewed in line with government guidance. Visitors were given instructions, tested before entering and taken by a direct route to the visiting area.
“Various visitor arrangements for family were constantly reviewed and supported based on government guidelines.” from the report
Emotional support
Staff supported residents and families through anxiety and sadness during the pandemic. Activities, special events and one-to-one time continued.
“The emotional wellbeing of people and their families had been supported throughout the pandemic.” from the report
Medical care
Residents continued to receive prompt medical attention when unwell, and the home maintained good relationships with health professionals.
“People continued to receive prompt medical attention when they became unwell and relationships with health professionals remained good.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How have your infection control and visiting arrangements changed since this inspection?
- 02What is the current procedure for residents who want to leave the home safely?
- 03How do you check that staff continue to use personal protective equipment and follow infection control procedures?
- 04How do you support residents' emotional wellbeing and one-to-one activities?
- 05What are the home's current ratings for the areas that were not covered by this inspection?
This was an announced, targeted inspection of infection prevention and control during the coronavirus pandemic; the report gives no ratings for the other care areas. This explanation was written from the published report of 20 May 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.
Every inspection of Edgemont House
3 rated inspections over 7 years: the service has held its Requires improvement rating throughout.
- June 2023Requires improvementcurrent ratingSafe: Requires improvementEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Requires improvement
- May 2021Inspected but not ratedSafe: Inspected but not rated
- November 2017Goodup from Requires improvementSafe: GoodWell-led: Good
- July 2016Requires improvementSafe: Requires improvementEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Requires improvement
- September 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- August 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- December 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- May 2011
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 23 May 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.
Weigh the report against the rest
Fees, photos and reviews from families
How to read CQC ratings and reports
What to check when you visit
39 live-in carers within about an hour of South Gloucestershire
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 £1,280 a week. 32 can care for a couple. 11 years' experience on average.
“She was very caring, kind and patient to all his needs, she built up a wondetful rapport with him, she was dedicated and was there for him through good times as well as through the tough times”
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.