CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Elton Hall Care Home
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
What inspectors found, February 2022
Inspected but not rated; inspectors found good infection-control arrangements, but mop colour-coding was not followed.
This was a targeted inspection on 27 January 2022. Inspectors looked at infection prevention and control, visiting arrangements, and staffing pressures during the COVID-19 pandemic. The inspection was announced 24 hours in advance.
Inspectors were assured about visiting, shielding, social distancing, admissions, testing, personal protective equipment, outbreak management and the infection-control policy. Staff worked together during increased sickness to reduce the use of agency staff.
There was one shortfall. Staff did not follow the national colour-coding system for mops. Inspectors said this could increase the risk of spreading infection, and the manager took immediate action.
The service was inspected but not rated. This was not a full inspection of all five areas of care, so it does not provide a new overall quality rating.
Staff cover during sickness
Staff worked together during an outbreak and increased sickness. This reduced the need for agency staff and the potential for infection to spread.
“The staff team had worked together to cover increased staff sickness during an outbreak to minimise the use of agency staff and potential to increase transmission of infection.” from the report
Use of PPE
Staff were observed using personal protective equipment correctly. They knew when it needed changing and disposed of it in clinical waste bins.
“Staff were observed wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) appropriately.” from the report
Outbreak arrangements
The home had set aside a dedicated area to help prevent infection spreading during an outbreak.
“The service had zoned a dedicated area to prevent the spread of infection in the event of an outbreak.” from the report
Mop colour-coding
needs fixingStaff did not know about or follow the national colour-coding system for mops. Inspectors said this could increase the risk of spreading infection, and the manager took immediate action.
“However, staff were unaware of and did not follow the national colour coding scheme for use of mops.” from the report
- 01What immediate action was taken after inspectors found that staff were not following the national mop colour-coding scheme?
- 02How do you now check that staff follow the correct mop colour-coding system?
- 03How were staffing pressures and increased sickness managed after this inspection?
- 04How are PPE use, testing and infection-control practices checked in day-to-day work?
- 05What were the results of the latest checks on visiting arrangements and outbreak management?
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 overall. This explanation was written from the published report of 5 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.
What inspectors found, December 2019
Elton Hall Care Home was rated Good; inspectors found kind, safe and personalised care, with some best-interest records needing improvement.
This was an unannounced planned inspection on 20 November 2019. The inspectors spoke with people living at the home, relatives and staff. They observed care and reviewed care, medicines, recruitment and management records.
All five areas were rated Good: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. People and relatives were overwhelmingly positive. They described staff as caring and supportive, and said people felt safe, listened to and well cared for.
The home had enough staff, safe medicines systems and good arrangements for managing risks. Care was tailored to people's needs, and people were supported with health care, food, activities, relationships and independence.
Inspectors found that some best-interest decisions were not recorded clearly enough and recommended that the provider seek further guidance. Some parts of the building looked tired, although refurbishment had started.
Kind and respectful care
People and relatives consistently praised the staff. Inspectors observed warm, respectful interactions and support that protected privacy and dignity.
“We observed people received support which was kind and caring.” from the report
Personalised support
Care plans included people's needs, life histories and preferences. Staff reviewed them and adapted support when people's needs changed.
“People's care plans provided in depth information on people and their needs and underpinned the excellent physical, emotional and spiritual care given by staff.” from the report
Safe staffing and risk management
Inspectors found enough staff and good systems for identifying and managing risks. People said they did not have to wait for support.
“There were enough staff to support people and they were very attentive to people's needs.” from the report
Activities and independence
People were supported to choose activities and maintain relationships. The home also supported individuals to use their interests and skills.
“People were supported to take part in activities that interested them.” from the report
Positive leadership
The home had an open culture and staff worked well together. Feedback, audits and meetings were used to support improvement.
“There was an extremely positive and open culture that ensured people were at the centre of everything the home did.” from the report
Best-interest records
needs fixingBest-interest decisions had been made, but records did not always clearly explain what decision had been made or why. Inspectors recommended getting further guidance on this.
“Best interest decisions had taken place, however we found these had not been recorded appropriately.” from the report
Tired-looking areas
minorSome parts of the home needed redecoration. Refurbishment had started and the manager had a plan to refurbish the whole home.
“Parts of the home looked tired and in need of redecoration.” from the report
- 01How are best-interest decisions recorded now, and how do you make sure the records clearly explain the decision and reasons?
- 02What refurbishment work has been completed since the inspection, and what work remains?
- 03How do you check that staffing levels remain enough for people's needs at busy times?
- 04How are people's care plans reviewed when their health, communication or personal preferences change?
- 05How are relatives involved in care reviews and in giving feedback about the home?
This was an unannounced planned inspection that looked at all five CQC questions, as well as the premises and care provided. This explanation was written from the published report of 7 December 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 Elton Hall Care Home
4 rated inspections over 4 years: the service has improved, from Requires improvement to Good.
- February 2022Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- December 2019Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- May 2017Goodup from Requires improvementSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- April 2016Requires improvementstayed Requires improvementSafe: Requires improvementEffective: Requires improvementCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- June 2015Requires improvementSafe: Requires improvementEffective: Requires improvementCaring: Requires improvementResponsive: Requires improvementWell-led: Requires improvement
- May 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- June 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- February 2013
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 11 February 2013.
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
45 live-in carers within about an hour of Stockton-on-Tees
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 £980 to £1,190 a week. 40 can care for a couple. 10 years' experience on average.
“I found Alison to be kind , caring helpful concencious... Alison has a heart of gold”
“Petty introduced herself to Mum every time she was caring for her and responded very quickly to Mum if she was distressed in the night.”
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.