CQC report explained · a nursing home
What the CQC found at Falstone Court
Rated Outstanding: inspectors found the home performing exceptionally well.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors were assured that the home was using protective equipment safely, supporting testing, following social distancing rules and maintaining infection control. They also found safe staffing levels and continuity of care.
- Effective?
- Good
- Does the care work? Training, consent, food and drink, working with GPs and nurses.
- Caring?
- Outstanding
- Are people treated with kindness and dignity?
- Responsive?
- Outstanding
- Is care built around the person? Care plans, activities, complaints.
- Well-led?
- Good
- Is the home run well? The manager, the culture, how problems get found and fixed.
What inspectors found, November 2020
Falstone Court was inspected but not rated; inspectors found good infection control and safe staffing arrangements.
Inspectors visited the home on 28 October 2020. This was an announced thematic review during the coronavirus pandemic, focused on infection prevention and control under the Safe question.
They found clear infection control measures. These included entrance checks, suitable protective equipment, extra cleaning, social distancing arrangements, testing and updated infection control guidance. Inspectors said they were assured that the home could prevent and manage infection outbreaks.
Staffing levels were safe and people received consistent care. The home supported socially distanced outdoor visits and helped people keep in daily contact with relatives by telephone or video calls.
The service was inspected but not rated. This means the report gives assurance about infection control at that visit, but it does not provide an overall rating or ratings for the other key questions.
Infection control
The home had several measures to reduce infection risks, including entrance checks, protective equipment, extra cleaning and social distancing arrangements.
“Clear signage, temperature checks and personal protective equipment (PPE) protocols were in place at the front entrance.” from the report
Safe staffing
Inspectors found staffing levels were safe and people received consistent care. Agency nursing staff were ringfenced to the home and included in regular coronavirus testing.
“Staffing levels were safe, with people receiving a continuity of care.” from the report
Keeping families in touch
The home supported socially distanced outdoor visits and helped people keep in daily contact with relatives by telephone or video calls.
“People were supported to keep in touch daily with their family members via video or telephone calls.” from the report
Positive relative feedback
Relatives gave very positive feedback about how staff kept people safe and cared for.
“Relatives provided extremely positive feedback about how staff kept people safe and well cared for.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01What infection control measures are in place now, and when were they last reviewed?
- 02How do you currently support visits from relatives, including during an outbreak?
- 03How do you maintain consistent staffing, and how often are agency nurses used?
- 04How can residents keep in daily contact with their families if face-to-face visits are restricted?
- 05Can you provide the home's more recent overall CQC rating or inspection report?
This was an announced thematic review of infection prevention and control under the Safe question only; the service was inspected but not rated and the other key questions were not assessed. This explanation was written from the published report of 19 November 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.
What inspectors found, May 2019
Falstone Court rated Outstanding; inspectors found exceptionally caring and responsive support, with safe, effective and well-led care.
This was an unannounced inspection on 12 and 15 February 2019. One inspector, a specialist adviser and an Expert by Experience visited the home. They spoke with people, relatives, staff and health professionals, and reviewed care records, staff files, audits and other safety records.
The home was rated Outstanding overall. Caring and Responsive were Outstanding. Safe, Effective and Well-led were Good. Inspectors found kind and respectful staff, personalised care, good staffing and medicines arrangements, suitable support with food and healthcare, and effective checks on quality and safety.
Inspectors also found that people were supported to remain independent and take part in activities based on their interests. Technology was used to monitor health and help people access medical treatment quickly. The previous overall rating was Good, published on 18 August 2016, so the overall rating had improved.
Kind and respectful care
Staff were described as exceptionally compassionate and considerate. Inspectors saw positive relationships and found that people were treated with dignity and respect.
“People received exceptional care from kind, considerate and caring staff.” from the report
Personalised support
Care plans were tailored to each person. Staff went beyond basic care to support individual routines, preferences, faith and relationships.
“Care plans were exceptionally person-centred and tailored specifically to meet the needs of each person.” from the report
Independence and choice
People were helped to remain as independent as possible. Staff adapted communication and support so people could make choices and take part in daily life.
“People were supported to remain as independent as possible; this was a strength of the service.” from the report
Activities and community life
People could take part in a wide range of activities based on their interests. Staff supported people, including those with complex needs, to attend community events.
“There were excellent opportunities for people to participate in activities; the home had a dedicated activity co-ordinator.” from the report
Health monitoring
Technology was used to monitor people's health and share information with healthcare services. Inspectors found that this helped one person receive treatment quickly and return home after a short hospital stay.
“New technology was embraced; it was used effectively to monitor people's health and ensure specialist healthcare was accessed quickly.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How will you make sure my relative's care plan reflects their preferences, culture, religion and end of life wishes?
- 02What staffing levels are in place now, and how do you check they are enough to provide individualised care?
- 03How do you use health monitoring technology and work with healthcare professionals when someone's condition changes?
- 04What activities and community opportunities would be available for my relative, including if they have complex nursing or communication needs?
- 05How will my relative and our family be involved in reviewing the care plan and giving feedback?
This was an unannounced comprehensive inspection covering all five CQC questions, with the home and the care provided both looked at. This explanation was written from the published report of 24 May 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 Falstone Court
2 rated inspections over 3 years: the service has improved, from Good to Outstanding.
- November 2020Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- May 2019Outstandingup from GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: OutstandingResponsive: OutstandingWell-led: Good
- August 2016GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- February 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- July 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- October 2011
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 31 October 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.
Weigh the report against the rest
Fees, photos and reviews from families
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46 live-in carers within about an hour of Sunderland
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 £1,210 a week. 42 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.