CQC report explained · a nursing home
What the CQC found at Falstone Manor
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors looked specifically at staffing and infection control. They found enough staff to meet people's needs and were assured that infection prevention measures were in place.
- Effective?
- Good
- This question was not assessed during this targeted inspection.
- Caring?
- Good
- This question was not assessed during this targeted inspection.
- Responsive?
- Good
- Inspectors looked specifically at activities and social contact. People could choose from group and one-to-one activities, and staff supported contact with loved ones.
- Well-led?
- Good
- Inspectors found systems for monitoring quality and risks. The manager was described as open and approachable, and the home was described as well managed.
What inspectors found, May 2021
Inspected but not rated; inspectors found enough staff, activities and infection controls, but this was only a targeted follow-up.
Inspectors visited on 12 and 18 February 2021 after concerns about staffing levels, activities and the overall management of the home. They spoke with eight people, one relative and staff, and checked care records, risk assessments, rotas and management records.
People told inspectors they felt safe and were positive about staff and management. Inspectors found enough staff, suitable infection control arrangements and activities that people could choose to join. Staff also helped people keep in touch with relatives.
The home had systems to monitor quality and risks. The manager was described as open and approachable. The home was rated Good at the previous comprehensive inspection in December 2019, but this inspection did not change any ratings.
Staffing
Inspectors found enough staff to meet people's needs. People said staff responded promptly when they used the buzzer.
“There were enough staff to meet people's needs.” from the report
Infection control
The home had infection control arrangements covering PPE, testing, visitors, social distancing and outbreak management.
“We were assured that the provider was using PPE effectively and safely.” from the report
Activities and relationships
People could choose group or one-to-one activities. Staff also helped people keep in touch with relatives by telephone, video call and some visits.
“Staff supported people to meet their social needs. People were able to take part in activities of their choosing.” from the report
Management and oversight
Inspectors found quality and risk monitoring systems. People and relatives described the manager as approachable and open.
“Systems were in place to ensure that quality and risks were monitored at the home.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How many staff are planned for each shift, and how do you adjust staffing when people's needs change?
- 02Who is currently responsible for the day-to-day running of the home, and what is the progress of the planned registration application?
- 03What activities are currently available, and how do you record people's individual choices and participation?
- 04How are visits and contact with relatives managed safely now?
- 05When is the next comprehensive inspection expected, and what improvements will be reviewed?
This was a targeted inspection of specific concerns about staffing, activities and management, with infection control also reviewed; all five key questions were not assessed and the previous ratings carried over. This explanation was written from the published report of 13 May 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, December 2019
Falstone Manor rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and well-organised care, with some mixed views about staffing and feedback.
This was an unannounced, planned inspection because the previous rating was Requires improvement. Inspectors visited on 9 October, 17 October and 15 November 2019. They spoke with people living there, family members and staff, observed care, and checked care, medicine, recruitment and management records.
The home was rated Good in all five areas: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. Inspectors found that earlier problems with medicine records and quality audits had been addressed. They found medicines were managed safely, risks were well managed, staff were trained, and people were treated with dignity and kindness.
There were mixed views about staffing levels. Inspectors did not find evidence of a staffing problem during their visits and found that calls for help were answered in good time. Some people were not aware of their support plans, and some people and relatives wanted more activities or clearer responses to feedback.
Medicines and safety
Inspectors found that earlier problems with medicine records had been fixed. Medicines were accurately recorded, reviewed and stored securely.
“Medicine administration records were accurate, up to date and regularly reviewed.” from the report
Kind and respectful care
Staff treated people with compassion and knew their personal histories and preferences. They supported privacy, dignity and independence.
“Staff supported people in a kind and compassionate way.” from the report
Trained staff
Staff had relevant training and received regular supervision and appraisals. Recruitment checks were also carried out.
“Staff were supported in their role and received regular supervisions and an annual appraisal.” from the report
Personalised activities
The home offered a range of social activities and kept records of each person's involvement. Inspectors found a strong focus on wellbeing and meaningful activities.
“People were protected from social isolation and lived full and active lives.” from the report
Improved management checks
The report says earlier weaknesses in audits had been addressed. Current audits were up to date, and issues were recorded and acted on.
“Regular audits were carried out. These were up to date and any identified issues were documented and actioned.” from the report
Mixed views about staffing
needs fixingSome people and relatives said there were not enough staff, while others thought staffing was sufficient. Inspectors did not find concerns during their visits, but this is worth discussing for your relative's particular needs.
“We received mixed responses regarding staffing levels at the home.” from the report
Involvement in care plans
needs fixingSome people did not know what was in their support plans. The manager said improvements were being made to care planning and reviews.
“However, some people told us they weren't aware of what was in their support plans.” from the report
Responses to feedback
minorSome people and relatives said they did not always receive or see responses to their feedback. The home had meetings and a display showing some actions taken.
“Some told us they did not always receive or see responses.” from the report
Activities
minorSome people and relatives said there were not enough activities, although inspectors found many activities and individual activity records.
“Some people and family members told us there weren't enough activities available.” from the report
- 01How will you decide the staffing level needed for my relative, and what happens when their needs increase?
- 02How quickly are call bells usually answered, and can I see how this is monitored?
- 03How will my relative and our family be involved in care plan reviews?
- 04What activities are available, and how will you make sure they match my relative's interests?
- 05How will you respond to concerns or feedback, and how will the response be shared with us?
This was an unannounced planned inspection covering all five CQC questions; the previous Requires improvement ratings for Safe and Well-led improved to Good, while the other areas remained Good. This explanation was written from the published report of 10 December 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 Manor
4 rated inspections over 3 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- May 2021Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not ratedResponsive: Inspected but not ratedWell-led: Inspected but not rated
- December 2019Goodup from Requires improvementSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- December 2018Requires improvementstayed Requires improvementSafe: Requires improvementEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Requires improvement
- November 2017Requires improvementdown from GoodSafe: Requires improvementEffective: Requires improvementCaring: Requires improvementResponsive: Requires improvementWell-led: Requires improvement
- September 2016GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- December 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- June 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- January 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- June 2013
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.
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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.