CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Elmstead Care Home
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors found that risks, safeguarding concerns, medicines, accidents and infection control were managed appropriately. They also found enough staff and safe recruitment procedures.
- Effective?
- Good
- People's needs were assessed and reviewed, staff were trained and supported, and people received suitable food and access to health professionals. Staff followed the Mental Capacity Act principles.
- Caring?
- Good
- People and relatives said staff were kind and respectful. Inspectors saw staff offering choices, protecting privacy and supporting independence.
- Responsive?
- Outstanding
- Staff tailored care closely to people's histories, wishes and communication needs. Activities and support to maintain relationships were described as innovative, inclusive and exceptionally responsive.
- Well-led?
- Good
- Inspectors found an open, inclusive culture, clear management responsibilities and effective audits. People, relatives and staff spoke positively about the management.
What inspectors found, January 2022
Elmstead Care Home was rated Good overall, with Outstanding personalised support and activities.
This was an unannounced planned inspection on 09 September 2021. Inspectors spoke with 12 people, five relatives and eight staff. They observed care, meals and staff interactions, and checked care records, training, recruitment and management records.
The home was rated Good for Safe, Effective, Caring and Well-led. Inspectors found people were protected from abuse, medicines were managed safely, staffing levels met people's needs, and staff were trained and supported. People were treated with kindness, dignity and respect.
Responsive care was rated Outstanding. Inspectors found that staff knew people very well and provided highly personalised support. Activities were creative and inclusive, and staff helped people maintain relationships and interests during the COVID-19 pandemic.
All five ratings remained the same as at the previous inspection, which was published on 26 September 2018. The overall Good rating means inspectors found the home was consistently managed and provided good care, with particularly strong responsiveness to people's individual needs.
Personalised care
Staff used people's histories, interests and preferences to shape their care and help them achieve personal goals.
“People received individualised care and support that was exceptionally responsive to their needs and wishes.” from the report
Activities and relationships
The home offered varied activities and found creative ways for people to stay connected with relatives, friends and the local community during pandemic restrictions.
“Social activities were innovative, and staff excelled at meeting people's individual diverse needs.” from the report
Kind and respectful staff
People were involved in decisions, treated with dignity and given choices about their daily care.
“Throughout our inspection we observed staff were kind in their approach, supportive and offered people choices before support was provided.” from the report
Safe care
Inspectors found medicines, risks, staffing, recruitment and infection prevention were managed safely.
“Medicines were managed, administered and stored safely.” from the report
Good communication support
The home used pictures, memory boxes, technology and other aids to help people communicate and remain independent.
“Staff took innovative steps to meet people's information and communication needs above complying with the AIS.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How do you currently assess and review my relative's risks, care needs and preferences?
- 02What activities are available now, and how are they adapted to each person's interests, abilities and communication needs?
- 03How will my relative maintain contact with family and friends if visits become restricted?
- 04How do you check staffing levels and ensure staff have the training and experience needed for my relative's care?
- 05How can relatives raise concerns, and how are complaints used to improve the service?
This was an unannounced inspection covering all five CQC questions, including infection prevention and control under Safe. This explanation was written from the published report of 14 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.
What inspectors found, March 2021
Inspected but not rated; inspectors found good COVID-19 infection prevention arrangements.
Inspectors visited on 26 February 2021. The visit was announced and focused only on infection prevention and control during the coronavirus pandemic.
They found arrangements for testing people and staff, safe admissions, personal protective equipment, social distancing and managing outbreaks. They were assured that the infection control policy was up to date.
The home was inspected but not rated. This means the report does not give an overall rating or ratings for the other areas of care.
Family contact
The home adapted a lounge so visitors could communicate safely. People could also keep in touch with families by phone or video call.
“People were supported to speak to their families on the phone or via video call.” from the report
Testing
There were arrangements to test both people living in the home and staff in line with the guidance at that time.
“The provider had arrangements in place to test both people and staff for COVID-19, in line with the current guidelines on testing.” from the report
Protective measures
Inspectors found that staff were following protective equipment and social distancing guidance.
“Staff were adhering to PPE and social distancing guidance.” from the report
Managing infection risks
The home had arrangements for people arriving from hospital or the community, and clear procedures for people who had COVID-19.
“The provider had clear protocols for people who were infected with Covid-19, and for people who had been admitted to the home from hospital or the community.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How are visitors currently supported to speak with or see residents safely?
- 02How are people and staff tested for COVID-19?
- 03What happens when someone is admitted from hospital or the community?
- 04How do you support staff who may be more vulnerable to COVID-19?
- 05How is the infection prevention and control policy kept up to date?
This was a targeted, announced inspection of infection prevention and control during the coronavirus pandemic; it did not rate the other areas of care. This explanation was written from the published report of 17 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.
Every inspection of Elmstead Care Home
3 rated inspections over 5 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- January 2022Goodcurrent ratingSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: OutstandingWell-led: Good
- March 2021Inspected but not ratedSafe: Inspected but not rated
- September 2018Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: OutstandingWell-led: Good
- July 2016GoodSafe: GoodEffective: Requires improvementCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- May 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- July 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- August 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- November 2010
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 25 November 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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