CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Footsteps Medical Care Limited
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors found that risks were assessed and managed, safeguarding systems were in place, staffing was sufficient, and medicines were administered safely. Some risk assessment systems and digital care records were still being developed.
- Effective?
- Good
- This question was not rated in this inspection.
- Caring?
- Outstanding
- This question was not rated in this inspection.
- Responsive?
- Good
- This question was not rated in this inspection.
- Well-led?
- Good
- Inspectors found approachable leadership, a positive culture, regular staff meetings and feedback from relatives, staff and professionals. The home was developing a service improvement plan to track progress.
What inspectors found, December 2022
Rated Good; inspectors found safe, well-managed care, with some care records still being updated after a move to digital systems.
This was an unannounced inspection on 28 and 30 November 2022. One inspector spoke with staff and relatives, observed care, and reviewed care, medicine, recruitment and management records. Feedback was also sought from professionals.
The home was rated Good for Safe and Well-led. Inspectors found that risks were managed, staffing levels were suitable, medicines were handled safely, and people were protected from abuse. Staff knew people well and relatives spoke positively about the care and leadership.
The inspection was prompted partly by concerns about safeguarding, record keeping and staffing. Inspectors found no evidence that people were at risk of harm from these concerns. Some care plans had not been reviewed recently during the move from paper to digital records, and the home was working to update them urgently.
Consistent staff team
People were supported by regular staff who knew their needs and preferences. Inspectors found there were enough staff to keep people safe.
“People were supported by a consistent care team who knew them well.” from the report
Safe medicines practice
Medicines were given as prescribed and stored, checked and disposed of safely. Staff were trained and had their competence checked.
“Medicines were administered by trained staff and were managed safely and effectively.” from the report
Positive leadership
Staff and relatives said the home was well managed. The manager was described as approachable, open and committed to good care.
“Staff and relatives spoke positively about the leadership within the home.” from the report
Good communication
Staff shared information about accidents, incidents and changes in people's needs. Inspectors found staff knew people well, including people who communicated in individual ways.
“Staff told us they were made aware of any accidents or incidents via handovers.” from the report
Care plans needed updating
needs fixingSome care plans had not been reviewed recently because records were being moved from paper to a digital system. The manager was treating the updates as a priority.
“The registered manager acknowledged that some care plans had not been reviewed recently due to a change from a paper to digital system.” from the report
Risk tools still being introduced
needs fixingThe home was introducing recognised risk assessment tools so its approach would be more consistent with national guidance and best practice.
“The registered manager was now introducing recognised risk assessment tools to further manage risk and ensure people's safety was consistent with national guidance and best practice.” from the report
- 01Have all care plans now been reviewed and transferred accurately to the digital system?
- 02Which recognised risk assessment tools are now being used, and how do you check that staff use them consistently?
- 03How are changes in people's needs shared with every member of the staff team?
- 04How do you make sure there are enough familiar staff when someone is absent?
- 05What actions are in the service improvement plan, and how will relatives be told about progress?
This was a focused inspection of Safe and Well-led; the other three key questions were not rated in this report. This explanation was written from the published report of 21 December 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, February 2022
Inspected but not rated; inspectors were assured about infection control, visiting arrangements and COVID-19 safety measures.
The CQC carried out an announced, targeted inspection on 10 February 2022. It focused on infection prevention and control, visiting arrangements and any staffing pressures linked to COVID-19. The home was given 48 hours' notice.
Inspectors were assured that visitors were checked, social distancing was supported, personal protective equipment was used correctly and testing followed national guidance. They also found daily cleaning arrangements, updated infection control policies and plans for managing outbreaks.
The home had safe visiting options, including a visiting pod, garden visits, window visits and video calls. Staff had supported one person to return safely from hospital. The overall service and Safe rating were both recorded as inspected but not rated, so this report is not a quality rating.
Visiting options
The home offered several ways for relatives to visit, with checks before entry and an additional staff member supporting weekly garden visits for one person.
“A variety of safe visiting options were available and thorough checks were completed before visitors entered the service.” from the report
Use of PPE
Staff used face masks correctly and consistently during the inspection. Staff also said they supported each other to maintain PPE standards.
“Staff wore facemasks correctly and consistently during our visit.” from the report
Cleaning and hygiene
The home had replaced some flooring and furniture to help with hygiene and followed daily deep-cleaning and surface-cleaning programmes.
“Flooring and furniture had been replaced to facilitate effective hygiene practices.” from the report
Outbreak planning
Inspectors found no outbreaks at the home and were assured that policies and plans were in place to prevent and manage infection.
“There had been no outbreaks at the service. Staff were supported to isolate on full-pay when a risk was identified.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01What visiting options are available now, and what checks are completed before visitors enter?
- 02How do you make sure staff use PPE correctly and consistently?
- 03How often are people living here and staff tested, and what happens if someone is at risk of infection?
- 04How would you support a safe return from hospital?
- 05What arrangements are in place if COVID-19 causes staffing pressures?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control, visiting arrangements and COVID-19-related staffing pressures; it did not provide ratings for the other key questions. This explanation was written from the published report of 19 February 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.
Every inspection of Footsteps Medical Care Limited
3 rated inspections over 6 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- December 2022Goodcurrent ratingSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: OutstandingResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
Read what inspectors found at Footsteps Medical Care Limited →
- February 2022Inspected but not ratedSafe: Inspected but not rated
Read what inspectors found at Footsteps Medical Care Limited →
- April 2019Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodWell-led: Good
- July 2016GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- July 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- February 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- May 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- October 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- December 2010
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 7 December 2010.
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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38 live-in carers within about an hour of Gloucestershire
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 £1,030 to £1,360 a week. 31 can care for a couple. 12 years' experience on average.
“She was very caring, kind and patient to all his needs, she built up a wondetful rapport with him, she was dedicated and was there for him through good times as well as through the tough times”
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