CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Eothen Residential Homes - Wallsend
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors found that risks were assessed and reviewed, accidents were analysed, medicines were administered safely and there were enough suitable staff.
- Effective?
- Good
- People's needs and choices were assessed and staff had suitable skills and training. The home supported nutrition, independence, healthcare access and lawful decision-making.
- Caring?
- Good
- This question was not inspected during this focused inspection. Its previous rating was carried forward, but the report does not state that rating here.
- Responsive?
- Good
- This question was not inspected during this focused inspection. Its previous rating was carried forward, but the report does not state that rating here.
- Well-led?
- Outstanding
- Inspectors found exceptional and distinctive leadership, strong auditing, open staff discussions, research work and close partnership with healthcare professionals and community organisations.
What inspectors found, December 2023
Rated Good overall; inspectors found safe care and effective support, with outstanding leadership.
This was an unannounced focused inspection. Inspectors visited on 4 July and 23 August 2023. They spoke with people, relatives, staff and outside professionals, and checked care, medicine and management records.
The home was rated Good for Safe and Effective, and Outstanding for Well-led. Inspectors found enough suitably recruited staff, good risk management, safe medicines practices and effective infection control. People were supported to make choices and staff had suitable training.
Inspectors found especially strong leadership. They described the home as innovative and committed to improving care. People, relatives and staff gave exceptionally positive feedback.
The report says the overall rating is Good on its rating page. However, another section says the overall rating is now Outstanding. This is an inconsistency in the report that families may wish to clarify.
Strong safety systems
Risks, accidents and incidents were reviewed, with actions taken to reduce the chance of problems happening again. Staff were safely recruited and knew how to protect people from abuse.
“Accidents and incidents were reviewed to identify any trends and patterns and to reduce the risk of recurrence.” from the report
Choice and independence
People could move around the home and gardens according to their needs and risk assessments. The home was adapted to help people living with dementia find their way around.
“There were no restrictions throughout the home, people could move between the households and gardens whenever they wanted” from the report
Dementia training
The home had developed its own dementia care training. This helped staff understand how dementia may feel and how to respond emotionally.
“This training simulated visual, auditory and touch disturbances which allowed staff to experience what it might feel like to live with dementia.” from the report
Exceptional leadership
The management team used audits, reflective meetings, research and outside partnerships to improve care. Staff and relatives expressed strong confidence in the leadership.
“The way the service was led was exceptional and distinctive.” from the report
Positive relationships
People, relatives and staff gave very positive feedback about the home and the support provided.
“Feedback about the service from staff, people and those close to them was consistent and exceptionally positive.” from the report
Effective rating changed
minorThe Effective rating changed from Outstanding at the previous inspection to Good. Inspectors still said outcomes were consistently good, but families may want to ask what led to the change.
“At this inspection the rating has changed to good.” from the report
- 01The report gives the overall rating as Good in one place and says it is Outstanding in another. Which overall rating should families rely on?
- 02Why did the Effective rating change from Outstanding at the previous inspection to Good?
- 03How does the open layout and access to gardens work for someone with my relative's particular risks?
- 04How are medicines checked and what happens if a medication record shows a discrepancy?
- 05How would you involve our family and outside healthcare professionals if my relative's needs changed?
This was a focused inspection of Safe, Effective and Well-led; Caring and Responsive were not inspected and the other ratings were carried over from the previous inspection. This explanation was written from the published report of 6 December 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, October 2017
Rated Good overall, with outstanding effective care, but inspectors found the home was not always well-led because some incidents were not reported to the CQC.
This was an unannounced first inspection on 28 and 30 June 2017. Inspectors spoke with people living in the home, relatives, staff and healthcare professionals. They observed care and reviewed care plans, staff records and management records.
Inspectors found the home was safe, caring and responsive. There were enough staff, medicines were managed properly, risks were assessed and people were supported to stay independent. Staff knew people well and provided personalised care, activities and support for families.
The effective rating was Outstanding. Inspectors praised the dementia care approach, the household-style setting, the gardens, staff training and the way people were supported to make choices.
The overall rating was Good. Well-led was rated Requires Improvement because some safeguarding incidents had not been notified to the CQC, although they had been reported to the local authority and the manager said policies would be updated.
Dementia care approach
The home was designed around small household living, freedom of movement and emotional connection. Inspectors saw this approach being used in daily care.
“The provider displayed a clear commitment to providing innovative dementia care through research, design, training and support.” from the report
Independence and choice
People could move around communal areas and gardens, choose where to spend time, and take part in household tasks where they wished.
“People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible” from the report
Staff training
Staff received dementia-specific training, including practical training intended to help them understand how dementia may feel.
“The provider had designed a creative and thorough training program to ensure staff had the skills and knowledge to deliver their model of care.” from the report
Kind and personal care
Staff knew people well and adapted their approach to their interests, lives and preferences. Families said they felt welcome and involved.
“During our observations we saw staff were friendly, engaging and knew people very well.” from the report
Activities and family involvement
There were group and individual activities, including gardening, baking, music and social events. Relatives were invited to events and a regular support group.
“A range of activities were available for people to take part in, both in groups and individually.” from the report
Incidents not reported to CQC
needs fixingThe provider had not notified the CQC about a number of minor safeguarding incidents. The incidents had been reported to the local authority, but the CQC said this failure was significant for the well-led rating.
“The provider had not sent us notifications of safeguarding incidents which are a legal requirement of their registration.” from the report
Care plans varied
needs fixingInformation about people's life histories was detailed, but some care plans were brief and less specific. The manager had identified this and was providing training and supervision to improve them.
“We noted the level of detail of some care plans was varied, however staff we spoke with were very knowledgeable about people and the care they required.” from the report
Malodour in one area
minorThe home was clean and tidy, but inspectors noticed an unpleasant smell in one area. The manager was trialling odour control and considering ventilation and flooring changes.
“At times we noted a malodour in one area of the home.” from the report
- 01What changes have you made to ensure every safeguarding incident is notified to the CQC as required?
- 02How do you check that each person's care plan is detailed, specific and kept up to date?
- 03What was done about the malodour identified in one area of the home?
- 04How are staffing levels reviewed, including overnight staffing?
- 05How will you maintain the dementia-specific training and the household approach for new staff?
This was an unannounced first inspection covering all five key questions and the overall quality of the service. This explanation was written from the published report of 10 October 2017 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 - Wallsend
2 rated inspections over 6 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- December 2023Goodcurrent ratingstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Outstanding
Read what inspectors found at Eothen Residential Homes - Wallsend →
- October 2017GoodSafe: GoodEffective: OutstandingWell-led: Requires improvement
Read what inspectors found at Eothen Residential Homes - Wallsend →
- May 2016
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 16 May 2016.
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
30 live-in carers within about an hour of North Tyneside
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 £1,130 a week. 26 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.