CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Ewer Court
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors were assured about infection prevention and control, including cleaning, testing, vaccinations, social distancing and visitor arrangements. They recommended improvements to the designated PPE areas.
- Effective?
- Good
- This was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
- Caring?
- Good
- This was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
- Responsive?
- Good
- This was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
- Well-led?
- Good
- This was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
What inspectors found, February 2021
Inspected but not rated; inspectors were assured about infection prevention, but recommended improvements to PPE changing areas.
This was an announced, targeted inspection on 29 January 2021. It looked at infection prevention and control during the coronavirus pandemic, rather than the full range of care provided.
Inspectors found good arrangements for cleaning, COVID-19 testing and vaccinations, visitor safety, social distancing and managing possible staff shortages. They were assured that the home was taking steps to prevent and control infection.
The home was inspected but not rated. This means the report does not provide a full overall rating or ratings for all five areas of care.
Cleaning and hygiene
The home had a cleaning schedule and carried out regular checks to help reduce infection risks.
“There was a cleaning schedule in place and regular audits were undertaken to ensure the environment was clean and hygienic to reduce the risk of infections.” from the report
COVID-19 testing and vaccinations
The manager kept oversight of testing and vaccinations for residents and staff.
“The manager had oversight of testing and vaccinations for COVID-19, for both people living at Ewer Court and for staff.” from the report
Updated guidance
Staff could access regularly updated COVID-19 advice, and virtual meetings were used to discuss new guidance and questions.
“Staff had access to an app on their mobile phones where advice and information on COVID-19 was regularly updated by the provider.” from the report
Staff shortage planning
The home had plans for sudden and extreme staff shortages, including keeping care and support plans up to date.
“Contingency plans were in place in case of sudden and extreme staff shortages.” from the report
PPE changing areas
needs fixingInspectors recommended improvements to the designated areas for putting on and removing PPE. The manager said the improvements would be made straight away.
“We recommended some improvements to the designated Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) 'don and doff' areas at the service.” from the report
- 01Have the recommended improvements to the designated PPE 'don and doff' areas been completed?
- 02How are the home's cleaning schedules and infection prevention checks reviewed now?
- 03How are COVID-19 testing and vaccinations for residents and staff monitored?
- 04What is the current plan if there is a sudden and extreme staff shortage?
- 05When was the home's full set of care quality ratings last assessed?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control under the Safe question during the coronavirus pandemic; it did not assess the other four questions and the service was not rated. This explanation was written from the published report of 25 February 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.
What inspectors found, June 2019
Ewer Court was rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and personalised care with strong management.
This was a planned, announced inspection on 20 May 2019. One inspector visited, spoke with the person using the home and their relative, and spoke with staff and the manager. Records about care, medicines, recruitment, training, complaints, maintenance and quality checks were also reviewed.
The person using the home was safe. Risks were managed without unnecessarily limiting their freedom. Medicines were given as prescribed, the flat was clean, and staffing and recruitment were suitable for the person's needs.
Care was personalised and supported independence, choice and contact with family and the community. Staff were described as kind and respectful. The home had systems to monitor quality, respond to incidents and complaints, and make improvements.
All five areas were rated Good: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. This was the first inspection since the home was registered with the CQC in April 2018.
Managing risks while supporting freedom
Inspectors found that risks were managed without unnecessarily restricting the person’s choices or independence.
“Risks to people were identified and managed well to keep them safe, yet ensured they had maximum choice and control to live their life as they chose.” from the report
Skilled and trained staff
Staff had training in areas including epilepsy, safeguarding, medicines, first aid and manual handling. Their experience and training were considered suitable for the person’s needs.
“Staff had access to a range of training that gave them skills and knowledge to carry out their roles.” from the report
Respectful personal space
Staff respected the person’s privacy and treated their flat as their own home. Inspectors saw staff wait to be invited in.
“We saw staff knocked on [Person's] door to their flat and waited to be invited in.” from the report
Personalised support
The care plan included the person’s preferences, communication needs and choices. Support helped the person manage daily life, health and community activities.
“The person using the service told us they received care and support specifically personalised for them.” from the report
Quality monitoring
The home used audits, quality visits, feedback and service improvement plans to monitor care and identify learning.
“The service had clear and effective governance arrangements in place to assess the ongoing quality of the service provided.” from the report
Extra security measure still being arranged
minorA relative had raised concerns about security. Risk controls were in place, but an additional keypad for the rear gates was still being arranged with the housing association.
“The registered manager was in the process of liaising with the housing association to have a security key pad fitted on the rear gates, for extra security.” from the report
- 01Has the security keypad for the rear gates now been fitted, and what security measures are currently in place?
- 02If more people move into the other flats, how will staffing levels be reviewed and increased if needed?
- 03How will you make sure care remains personalised if the number of people living in the home changes?
- 04What health support can staff provide, given that the home does not provide nursing care?
- 05How often are medicines, finances, health and safety, and care quality checked?
This was a planned inspection covering all five CQC questions and both the premises and care provided; one person was using the home at the time. This explanation was written from the published report of 4 June 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 Ewer Court
Each visit the CQC has published, newest first, back to the day the home was registered.
- February 2021Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- June 2019GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- April 2018
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 30 April 2018.
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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35 live-in carers within about an hour of Essex
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 £1,020 to £1,260 a week. 25 can care for a couple. 10 years' experience on average.
“Not only was she professional, polite and efficient but she bought a lovely smile and laughter to my parents home.”
“She brought fun and stimulation into mums life.”
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.