CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Francis House
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
What inspectors found, September 2020
Inspected but not rated; inspectors were assured that the home had strong infection prevention and control measures.
This was an announced, targeted inspection on 28 August 2020. It looked only at infection prevention and control measures during the coronavirus pandemic.
Inspectors were assured that the home was preventing infections, using protective equipment safely, following social distancing and shielding rules, and accessing testing for residents and staff.
The home used extra communal areas to support social distancing. Staff and visitors had temperature checks, completed health questionnaires and followed handwashing procedures. Staff had also completed infection control, coronavirus and protective equipment training.
The home was inspected but not rated. This means the inspection did not give a Good, Requires improvement or Inadequate rating, and it does not provide a full rating of all aspects of care.
Social distancing
The home used additional communal areas so people could spend time together while keeping apart effectively.
“The service had utilised additional communal areas to enable people to socially distance effectively, whilst still supporting people to spend time together.” from the report
Staff training
Staff had training in infection prevention, coronavirus procedures and putting on and removing protective equipment.
“Staff had received external training in the donning and doffing of personal protection equipment.” from the report
Entry checks
People entering the home had temperature checks, health questions and handwashing procedures.
“Staff and visitors entering the service were required to have their temperature taken, complete a health questionnaire and follow strict handwashing procedures at the entrance.” from the report
Checks on practice
The home manager used checklists, observations and risk assessments to check that staff followed guidance and were supported.
“The home manager completed a detailed checklist with staff, which included spot check observations and personal risk assessments.” from the report
Policy update
minorThe infection prevention and control policy was still being updated to include the home's coronavirus policies. Ask whether this has now been completed.
“The home manager and registered manager were in the process of updating their Infection Prevention Control (IPC) policy to also include the service Covid-19 policies.” from the report
- 01Has the infection prevention and control policy been updated to include the home's coronavirus policies?
- 02How are social distancing arrangements managed now, including the use of communal areas?
- 03How often are staff checked on their use of protective equipment and infection control procedures?
- 04How does the home arrange testing for residents and staff?
- 05What checks are carried out for visitors before they enter the home?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control measures only; it did not provide ratings for the other areas of care. This explanation was written from the published report of 24 September 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, April 2018
Rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and personalised care with effective management.
This was an unannounced comprehensive inspection. Inspectors visited the home, observed care, spoke with people, relatives and staff, and reviewed care, medicines, staff and quality records. They also made follow-up telephone calls.
The home provides accommodation and care for up to six people living with mental illness, some with physical disabilities. Six people lived there at the inspection. The agency also supported 35 people living in their own homes.
All five areas were rated Good: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. People said they felt safe, staff were kind, care was based on individual needs, and people were supported to make choices and stay involved.
The previous inspection also rated the service Good. Inspectors found that this rating continued to be supported and reported no serious risks or concerns.
Safe staffing and recruitment
Inspectors found enough staff with the right skills. Recruitment checks were completed before staff started work.
“There were sufficient numbers of staff with the correct skills mix on duty to provide care and support for people's assessed needs.” from the report
Safe medicines
Medicines were stored securely, given by trained staff and checked through records and stock audits.
“We checked four of these and they had been completed correctly following legislation and guidance.” from the report
Kind and respectful care
Staff knew people well, spent time with them and respected their privacy, dignity and choices.
“We observed staff treating people with kindness, there was a good rapport between staff and people and this was enjoyed.” from the report
Personalised support
Care plans included people's backgrounds, needs and goals. People were supported to follow interests and take part in the community.
“Care plans were written in a person centred way for each individual.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How will you assess whether the home can meet my relative's particular mental health and physical health needs?
- 02How often will my relative's risk assessments and care plans be reviewed, and how will they be involved?
- 03What training and supervision do staff receive to support people with mental illness?
- 04How are medicines checked, and who will contact healthcare professionals if there is a medicines concern?
- 05What activities, courses or community opportunities could my relative take part in?
This was an unannounced comprehensive inspection of the home and the wider support provided to people in their own homes; all five ratings were assessed and remained Good. This explanation was written from the published report of 25 April 2018 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 Francis House
2 rated inspections over 2 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- September 2020Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- April 2018Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- January 2016GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- May 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- May 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- August 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- February 2012
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 14 February 2012.
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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88 live-in carers within about an hour of Bedford
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 £1,260 a week. 76 can care for a couple. 12 years' experience on average.
“We can all fully relax around Nyarai and she feels like part of our family, which is no mean feat!”
“She handled the new situation in front of her with such professionalism and I felt I could trust her 100%.”
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.