CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Eothen Residential Homes - Gosforth
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors were assured about most infection prevention and control arrangements. They found that testing records did not always evidence testing at the required frequency, and visiting arrangements did not fully meet guidance.
- Effective?
- Good
- This question was not rated or assessed in the report.
- Caring?
- Good
- This question was not rated or assessed in the report.
- Responsive?
- Good
- This question was not rated or assessed in the report.
- Well-led?
- Good
- This question was not rated or assessed in the report.
What inspectors found, March 2022
Eothen Residential Homes - Gosforth was inspected but not rated; infection control was mostly reassuring, but testing records and visiting assessments needed improvement.
This was an unannounced, targeted inspection on 1 February 2022. Inspectors looked at infection prevention and control and asked about staffing pressures linked to COVID-19.
The home had enough protective equipment, staff were trained to use it, cleaning had been increased and infection control audits were carried out. Systems also helped people keep in touch with relatives and friends.
Inspectors were assured about most infection control arrangements. However, testing records did not show that testing always happened as often as required. Visiting arrangements did not fully follow guidance because individual risk assessments had not been completed for everyone.
The home was inspected but not rated. This means the inspection did not provide a Good, Requires improvement or Inadequate rating for the overall service or the Safe question.
Protective equipment
The home had enough personal protective equipment, stored it properly and trained staff to use it safely.
“Sufficient stocks of personal protective equipment (PPE) were available and this was appropriately stored.” from the report
Staff checks
Managers checked staff knowledge and observed their practice when using protective equipment.
“Systems were in place to check staff competencies in relation to the safe use of PPE.” from the report
Cleaning and audits
The home had increased cleaning of frequently touched surfaces and used audits to identify infection control issues.
“Enhanced cleaning schedules had been introduced since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.” from the report
Contact with relatives
The home had systems and technology to help people stay in contact with family and friends when face-to-face visits were not possible.
“Systems were in place to support people to maintain contact with people important to them.” from the report
Testing records
needs fixingAlthough staff and relatives said testing took place in line with guidance, the records did not always prove that testing happened at the required frequency.
“However, testing records did not evidence this always took place at the required frequency.” from the report
Visiting assessments
needs fixingThe home arranged visits, but had not completed an individual risk assessment for every person as required by the guidance.
“This did not fully align with government guidance which specifies individual risk assessments must be completed for all people in relation to visiting.” from the report
- 01How do you now make sure COVID-19 testing happens at the required frequency, and can families see the records?
- 02Does every resident now have an individual risk assessment for visiting?
- 03What infection control audits are carried out, and what happens when an issue is found?
- 04How are staff competencies in using protective equipment checked now?
- 05How will the home help my relative keep in contact with family if face-to-face visits are not possible?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control and COVID-19-related staffing pressures; it did not rate or assess the other four questions. This explanation was written from the published report of 16 March 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, February 2020
Eothen Residential Homes - Gosforth was rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and personalised care, with a minor concern about one dining area.
This was an unannounced planned inspection. The inspector spoke with 10 people, four relatives, eight staff members and a visiting GP. They also reviewed care records, medicine records, staff files and management records.
All five areas were rated Good: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. People and relatives said they felt safe and were happy with the care. Inspectors found enough staff, safe medicine arrangements, suitable care planning and good links with health professionals.
Staff were described as kind, respectful and responsive. People were supported with activities, family relationships, personal choices and end of life wishes. The inspector asked the manager to review the smaller dining area in the lounge because it was not as well organised as the main dining area.
People felt safe
People and relatives said they felt safe, and staff understood how to recognise and report abuse.
“We have great peace of mind, knowing they are safe and well cared for.” from the report
Medicines were managed safely
The home had recently introduced an electronic medicines recording system. Inspectors found medicines were stored, given and recorded safely.
“Medicines administration records showed people received their medicines in a timely way.” from the report
Kind and respectful staff
Staff knew people's preferences and treated them with patience, dignity and respect.
“Staff were observed to be kind, patient, respectful and considerate.” from the report
Personalised care
Care plans covered people's health and social needs and gave staff detailed guidance about the support each person wanted.
“Care plans were reviewed regularly and reflected people's current needs.” from the report
Good management and improvement
The home had a clear management structure, regular audits and a positive culture. Staff and relatives said they felt listened to.
“The registered manager had systems and procedures to monitor and assess the quality and safety of their service.” from the report
Smaller dining area
needs fixingThe smaller dining area in the lounge was not as well organised as the main dining area. Inspectors asked the manager to review people's experience there.
“We asked the registered manager to review the experience in the smaller dining area in the lounge, as this was not as well organised as the main dining area.” from the report
- 01What changes were made to the smaller dining area in the lounge after the inspection?
- 02How is the new electronic medicines system checked to make sure records remain accurate?
- 03How many agency staff are currently being used, and how is their induction and supervision managed?
- 04Is the twice-weekly GP visit programme still in place, and how does it support residents' health?
- 05How are residents and relatives involved in reviewing care plans and end of life wishes?
This was an unannounced comprehensive inspection covering all five CQC questions, including both the premises and the care provided. This explanation was written from the published report of 13 February 2020 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 Eothen Residential Homes - Gosforth
4 rated inspections over 5 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- March 2022Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
Read what inspectors found at Eothen Residential Homes - Gosforth →
- February 2020Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
Read what inspectors found at Eothen Residential Homes - Gosforth →
- June 2017Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- December 2015Goodstayed GoodResponsive: Requires improvement
- May 2015GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: Requires improvementWell-led: Good
- January 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- March 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- April 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- August 2011
Report published without a new overall rating.
- December 2010
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 31 December 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.
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
36 live-in carers within about an hour of Newcastle upon Tyne
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 £950 to £1,160 a week. 30 can care for a couple. 10 years' experience on average.
“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.