CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Four Seasons
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors were assured about most infection-control arrangements, including PPE, testing, visiting, hygiene and managing outbreaks. They were only somewhat assured that the infection prevention and control policy was up to date.
- Effective?
- Good
- This question was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
- Caring?
- Good
- This question was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
- Responsive?
- Good
- This question was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
- Well-led?
- Requires improvement
- This question was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
What inspectors found, January 2022
Four Seasons was inspected but not rated; inspectors found good infection-control arrangements, but the infection-control policy was not up to date.
This was an announced, targeted inspection on 18 January 2022. Inspectors looked at infection prevention and control, visiting arrangements and whether COVID-19 staffing pressures were affecting the home.
Inspectors were assured about visitors, testing, personal protective equipment, social distancing, admissions, hygiene and managing possible outbreaks. The home also had arrangements for people and staff who needed to self-isolate.
The infection prevention and control policy was not in line with current government guidance. Inspectors signposted the provider to resources to improve its approach.
The service was inspected but not rated. This report does not give an overall quality rating or ratings for the other four questions.
Safe visiting
The home had arrangements to allow visitors to access the service safely and in line with government guidance.
“The provider had a system in place so visitors could access the service safely and inline with current government guidance.” from the report
Testing and self-isolation
The home had self-isolation arrangements and followed the latest government testing guidance for people living there and staff.
“The registered manager followed the most recent government guidance on testing both people and staff.” from the report
Policy not up to date
needs fixingThe infection prevention and control policy did not match current government guidance. Inspectors signposted the provider to resources to improve its approach.
“The provider did have an infection and prevention control policy in place; however, this was not in line with current government guidance.” from the report
- 01What changes were made to the infection prevention and control policy after this inspection?
- 02How do you make sure the infection-control policy stays in line with current government guidance?
- 03How are visitors currently checked and supported to prevent infections spreading?
- 04How are COVID-19 testing and self-isolation arrangements managed for people and staff?
- 05What measures are in place now to manage any staffing pressures?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control, visiting arrangements and COVID-19 staffing pressures; it did not assess the other four quality questions. This explanation was written from the published report of 28 January 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, August 2019
Rated Good overall; inspectors found kind, safe care, but management and record-keeping required improvement.
This was an unannounced planned inspection on 5 August 2019. One inspector spoke with people, a relative and staff, observed care, and checked care, medicines and management records.
People generally had a positive experience. Inspectors found enough staff, safe care, kind and respectful support, personalised care plans, good food choices and effective links with health professionals.
The home was rated Good for Safe, Effective, Caring and Responsive. Well-led was rated Requires Improvement because some records were not complete or consistent, including records about medicines and monitoring.
People felt safe
People said they felt safe and staff understood their safeguarding responsibilities. Inspectors also found enough staff and appropriate recruitment checks.
“Oh yes, I feel very safe here. The staff are great, I could not fault them at all.” from the report
Kind and personal care
Staff knew people well and provided calm, unrushed support. They respected people's choices, dignity and independence.
“We make sure we work at [the resident's] pace, not our pace.” from the report
Good support with health
The home worked with health professionals and made referrals when needed. Staff supported people to maintain or regain independence.
“The service worked with a variety of professionals and made appropriate referrals when needed, to maintain people's health and wellbeing.” from the report
People were involved
People and relatives were involved in assessments, care reviews and decisions. People felt able to raise concerns and were listened to.
“People and staff felt listened to.” from the report
Medicine records
needs fixingInspectors found that medicine recording was not always robust or consistent. In particular, the home had not ensured continued use of a bound controlled drugs book.
“However, the recording of this was not always robust and consistent and in line with best practice.” from the report
Inconsistent management records
needs fixingInspectors found a few gaps in monitoring charts and records. The home also had not displayed its previous ratings on the provider's website as required.
“We highlighted a few gaps in monitoring charts and records that needed to be addressed.” from the report
- 01What has changed since the inspection to make controlled medicines records more robust and consistent?
- 02Do you now use a bound controlled drugs book, including for prescribed patches?
- 03How do managers check that monitoring charts and care records are complete?
- 04What information is now available in different formats for people with communication needs?
- 05How far has the planned development of more detailed end-of-life care plans progressed?
This was a planned inspection covering all five key questions, although inspectors reviewed a smaller range of records because they were checking whether the previous Good rating had been sustained. This explanation was written from the published report of 15 August 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 Four Seasons
3 rated inspections over 4 years: the service has improved, from Requires improvement to Good.
- January 2022Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- August 2019Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Requires improvement
- February 2017Goodup from Requires improvementSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- December 2015Requires improvementSafe: Requires improvementEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: Requires improvementWell-led: Requires improvement
- August 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- June 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- January 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- May 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- January 2011
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 5 January 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
How to read CQC ratings and reports
What to check when you visit
At least 100 live-in carers within about an hour of Stoke-on-Trent
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 £980 to £1,190 a week. 93 can care for a couple. 9 years' experience on average.
“She's shown compassion, patience and a level of understanding that no other carer has given.”
“She maintained a great environment for mum both with the tidiness and cleanliness of the house and Mum and with her caring and understanding attitude.”
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.