CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Elstree View Care Home
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- People were generally protected from abuse and avoidable harm. Inspectors found safe medicines systems, enough suitable staff and good infection control, but recommended stronger risk assessments for day trips.
- Effective?
- Good
- Care was based on people's assessed needs, and staff had induction and training. People were supported with food, drink, healthcare and lawful decision-making, although some parts of the building needed repair or refurbishment.
- Caring?
- Good
- People were treated with kindness and respect. Staff supported privacy, dignity, independence, cultural needs and involvement in decisions about care.
- Responsive?
- Good
- Care plans reflected people's needs and wishes, and activities were linked to their interests. People and relatives were consulted, communication needs were recorded, and complaints were handled under the home's procedure.
- Well-led?
- Good
- Inspectors found a positive, person-centred culture and regular checks of care plans, medicines, health and safety. The management team used meetings, surveys and audits to monitor the service and act on shortfalls.
What inspectors found, July 2023
Elstree View Care Home is rated Good; inspectors found kind, safe care, with improvements needed for outings, medicines records and some repairs.
This was an unannounced inspection on 10 and 11 May 2023. Inspectors reviewed care records, medicines records, staff files and management records. They spoke with people living in the home, relatives, staff and healthcare professionals, and observed care.
The home was rated Good in all five areas: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. Inspectors found that risks were generally managed, medicines were administered safely, staffing and training were suitable, and people were treated with kindness and respect.
There were some areas to improve. Risk assessments for day trips did not give staff enough information for emergencies. Staff had also not always recorded as-required medicines correctly, although senior staff acted promptly when this was identified. Some ceilings had temporary repairs and some communal carpets needed replacing.
A Good rating means the inspectors found the service consistently met the relevant standards at the time of this inspection. It does not mean that everything was perfect or that future care will necessarily be the same.
Kind and respectful care
People said they were happy with their care. Inspectors saw a relaxed atmosphere, staff who knew people well, and support for dignity, privacy and independence.
“People were treated with kindness, and it was evident that staff knew people well.” from the report
Staffing and training
Inspectors found enough suitable staff to meet people's needs. Staff completed a detailed induction and training relevant to their roles.
“The induction process lasted for three months which allowed care staff to do the required training and be confident in their skills to carry out their role.” from the report
Personalised activities
Activities reflected people's interests and pastimes. Staff supported individual hobbies and arranged trips, celebrations and visits from local schools.
“Staff arranged various activities which reflected people's specific interests, preferences, and past hobbies.” from the report
Healthcare support
People were supported to attend appointments, and healthcare professionals visited the home regularly. Staff were described as organised and proactive when people's needs changed.
“Each week the GP visited and there was two dedicated staff members who supported the visits.” from the report
Management oversight
The home had regular audits and clear management structures. The manager and senior staff reviewed incidents and used meetings and feedback to monitor care.
“The provider had suitable systems to ensure standards remained high.” from the report
Risk assessments for outings
needs fixingRisk assessments for day trips did not contain enough information to guide staff if there was an emergency. CQC made a recommendation for this to be reviewed.
“the provider needed more robust risk assessments in place for supporting people on day trips” from the report
As-required medicines records
needs fixingInspectors found a concern about how staff recorded as-required medicines. Senior staff took prompt action after inspectors raised it.
“We identified a concern regarding how staff were recording as and required (PRN) medications.” from the report
Repairs and worn carpets
minorSome ceilings had temporary repairs, and some communal carpets had not yet been replaced. The home was planning refurbishment and used extra cleaning in the affected carpeted areas.
“Some communal carpets needed to be replaced but as this had not happened.” from the report
- 01What has been changed in the risk assessments and emergency information for people going on day trips?
- 02How do you now check that as-required medicines are recorded correctly?
- 03When will the temporary ceiling repairs and communal carpet replacements be completed?
- 04How do you make sure activities continue to reflect each person's interests, including for people living with dementia?
- 05How will you keep families informed if a person's needs change or if there is an incident?
This was an unannounced inspection covering the premises and care provided across all five CQC questions, using records, observations, discussions and healthcare professional feedback. This explanation was written from the published report of 7 July 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, February 2022
Inspected but not rated; inspectors found strong infection control and visiting arrangements during the COVID-19 pandemic.
This was a targeted inspection on 26 January 2022. Inspectors looked at infection prevention and control, visiting arrangements, and whether COVID-19 staffing pressures were affecting the home.
Inspectors found the home was following government visiting guidance. People had three named visitors and an essential care giver recorded in their care plans. Visitors could use a safe visiting room or the garden, and were supported to test and use personal protective equipment.
The home was clean and hygienic. Inspectors found supplies of protective equipment, cleaning schedules, good ventilation, staff training, testing arrangements and up-to-date infection control policies.
The service was inspected but not rated. This means the report does not give an overall quality rating or full ratings for all five areas of care.
Safe visiting
The home followed visiting guidance and offered several ways for relatives to visit safely. Visitors were supported to test before entering and to use protective equipment.
“People had three named visitors and an essential care giver, which was documented in their care plans.” from the report
Clean surroundings
Inspectors found the home clean and hygienic, with cleaning schedules and adequate ventilation.
“The premises looked clean and hygienic throughout. There were extensive cleaning schedules in place throughout the day and adequate ventilation.” from the report
Protective equipment and training
Protective equipment was available throughout the home. Staff had training in infection prevention and how to put on and remove it safely.
“Staff had received training in infection prevention and control and how to don and doff PPE.” from the report
Up-to-date infection policies
The home had current infection prevention policies and audits. Staff knew who to contact and what to do if there was an outbreak.
“Policies and audits relating to infection prevention and control (IPC), including coronavirus, were up to date.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How are COVID-19-related staffing pressures affecting care and routines now?
- 02Are the three named visitors and essential care giver arrangements still available?
- 03How are new residents tested and supported to isolate when they move in?
- 04How often do staff receive infection prevention and protective equipment training?
- 05What arrangements are currently in place for visiting during an infection outbreak?
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. This explanation was written from the published report of 4 February 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 Elstree View Care Home
2 rated inspections over 5 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- July 2023Goodcurrent ratingSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- February 2022Inspected but not ratedSafe: Inspected but not rated
- March 2018GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: OutstandingWell-led: Good
- August 2017
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 1 August 2017.
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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