CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Exmouth House
Rated Outstanding: inspectors found the home performing exceptionally well.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors were assured that infection prevention and control measures were in place, including safe use of protective equipment, testing, cleaning and visiting procedures. The manager also had measures to manage COVID-19-related staffing pressures.
- Effective?
- Good
- This area was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
- Caring?
- Outstanding
- This area was not assessed in this targeted inspection, although inspectors recorded positive comments from people about the staff team.
- Responsive?
- Outstanding
- This area was not assessed in this targeted inspection, although the report describes activities and ways for people to stay connected with relatives.
- Well-led?
- Good
- This area was not assessed in this targeted inspection. The report says a new manager had taken over and that the previous manager had handed over to support continuity.
What inspectors found, March 2022
Exmouth House was inspected but not rated; inspectors found strong infection control, visiting arrangements and support for people's wellbeing.
Inspectors visited the home on 28 February 2022. This was an announced, targeted inspection focused on infection prevention and control, visiting arrangements and staffing pressures linked to COVID-19.
Inspectors were assured that infection risks were being managed. They found effective use of protective equipment, testing, cleaning, hand hygiene and social distancing. Visiting arrangements included testing, protective equipment and a visiting pod.
People were supported to stay in contact with relatives and take part in activities. Inspectors also found that staff were supported by the management team.
The home was inspected but not rated. This means the visit did not provide a new overall quality rating or full ratings for all five areas.
Infection control
Inspectors were assured that the home had effective arrangements to prevent and manage infection. Staff used protective equipment and hand sanitiser, and cleaning was checked.
“We were assured that the provider was making sure infection outbreaks can be effectively prevented or managed.” from the report
Family contact
The home used online messages, photographs, visits and a visiting pod to help people stay connected with loved ones during the pandemic.
“An online secure 'relative's gateway' had been set up enabling messages and photographs to be shared from around the world” from the report
Visiting arrangements
Families could visit under a clear process, with testing and protective equipment. Some relatives could also become essential care givers.
“There was a clear process, including a health questionnaire and testing regime in place for visitors, with personal protective equipment (PPE) provided.” from the report
Activities and wellbeing
People were offered varied activities, themed meals and ways to discuss anxieties. Staff monitored people's feelings to help target mental wellbeing support.
“A 'Rising Vibe' scale was used to monitor people's feelings so staff could further target mental wellbeing and support.” from the report
Staff support
The report says the management team supported staff with training, counselling, praise and awards.
“Staff were very well supported by the management team and the provider.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How are you currently managing any staffing pressures linked to COVID-19 or other absences?
- 02Are the testing, protective equipment and visiting procedures described in the report still in place?
- 03Can relatives still visit in people's rooms or become essential care givers if appropriate?
- 04What activities and wellbeing support are available now, including ways for residents to keep in contact with family?
- 05How has the new manager supported continuity since the previous manager left?
This was an announced, targeted inspection of infection prevention and control, visiting arrangements and COVID-19-related staffing pressures; it did not rate the other four areas or give an overall rating. 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, May 2020
Exmouth House was rated Outstanding; inspectors found exceptionally kind, personalised care, with safe, effective and well-led practice rated Good.
This was an unannounced inspection on 10 February 2020. One inspector spoke with people living at the home, relatives and staff. They reviewed care records, medicine records, recruitment files and management records, and observed care.
The home was rated Outstanding overall. Caring and Responsive were rated Outstanding. Safe, Effective and Well-led were rated Good. Inspectors found enough staff, safe medicines practice, suitable care planning, good support with health and nutrition, and strong management systems.
People and relatives gave exceptionally positive feedback. Inspectors found care was highly personal, kind and respectful. Activities were tailored to people's past interests and abilities, and the home provided strong support for relationships and end of life care.
Kind and compassionate care
Inspectors found a strong culture where kindness, compassion and dignity were expected from everyone. People and relatives consistently described staff as caring and committed.
“Everyone, without exception, spoke of the commendable kindness, compassion and understanding shown by staff.” from the report
Personalised support
Staff knew people's histories, preferences and goals. They adapted care and found creative ways to support independence and meaningful relationships.
“Staff went to exceptional lengths to get to know people and engage with them in a way that valued them.” from the report
Safe staffing and medicines
Inspectors saw enough staff to meet people's needs without rushing. Medicines were stored, given and recorded safely, with staff training and checks.
“We saw people were attended to and supported in a timely manner and staff were not rushed.” from the report
End of life support
The home worked with specialist health professionals and had plans setting out people's wishes. Staff had training to provide comfortable and dignified care at the end of life.
“People experienced a comfortable, dignified and pain-free death.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How will you tailor my relative's care plan to their personal history, preferences, routines and changing needs?
- 02Which activities and trips would suit my relative, and how would you support them to take part?
- 03How do you make sure there are enough regular staff who know my relative well?
- 04How would you involve our family in care reviews and decisions if my relative could not make a particular decision?
- 05How would you support my relative and our family with end of life wishes and care?
This was an unannounced inspection covering all five key questions, and the report compares the ratings with the previous inspection published on 28 July 2017. This explanation was written from the published report of 6 May 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 Exmouth House
3 rated inspections over 5 years: the service has improved, from Good to Outstanding.
- March 2022Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- May 2020Outstandingup from GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: OutstandingResponsive: OutstandingWell-led: Good
- July 2017Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- September 2015GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- July 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- August 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- May 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- January 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- February 2011
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 16 February 2011.
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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17 live-in carers within about an hour of Devon
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 £1,270 a week. 15 can care for a couple. 13 years' experience on average.
“She is such a warm and gentle person while being professional and competent at the same time.”
“She looked after my mum, who can be incredibly challenging, so well and so gently, and we always felt confident that my mum was getting the best care available.”
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.