CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Frith House
Rated Outstanding: inspectors found the home performing exceptionally well.
What inspectors found, July 2021
Inspected but not rated; inspectors were assured about infection prevention and control, with one process identified for review.
This was an announced, targeted inspection on 17 May 2021. It looked only at infection prevention and control during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Inspectors found good practice in testing, use of protective equipment, cleaning, visits, admissions and outbreak planning. They were assured that the home had suitable infection control measures in place.
The home was clean and tidy, and staff had received infection control training. Inspectors also noted that staff walked through the building before changing into their uniforms, and the manager said this would be reviewed.
The service was inspected but not rated. This means the inspection did not give a quality rating such as Good or Requires improvement.
Infection control training
Staff had received infection control training, including how to use and remove protective equipment safely.
“All staff had received IPC training, including how to safely put on and take off PPE such as gloves, aprons, and face coverings.” from the report
Clean environment
Inspectors found the home clean and tidy. Cleaning included disinfecting frequently touched points several times a day.
“The home was clean and tidy. The provider employed a team of housekeepers seven days a week.” from the report
Testing and outbreak planning
The home had regular testing, an outbreak contingency plan and arrangements for zoning areas if another outbreak occurred.
“There was a contingency plan in place that described key people to be contacted in the event of an outbreak.” from the report
Safe admissions
New admissions were expected to have a negative test, with belongings isolated before arrival and people isolated in their rooms after admission.
“The provider was admitting people to the home, mainly for short periods of respite stay.” from the report
Staff changing arrangements
minorAt the time of the inspection, staff walked through the building to reach the staff room before changing. The manager said this would be reviewed to reduce the risk of cross-contamination.
“The registered manager told us they would review this and ask staff to get changed in a different room which meant they would not walk through the building until they had their uniform on.” from the report
- 01Was the planned change to where staff get changed completed, and what is the current arrangement?
- 02How are visitors currently allowed into the home, and are room visits still available?
- 03What infection control steps are currently used when someone is admitted for a respite stay?
- 04How often are residents and staff tested now?
- 05How would the home manage another infection outbreak, including zoning and support from external services?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control under the Safe question; it did not assess the other four questions and the service was not rated. This explanation was written from the published report of 3 July 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, September 2017
Rated Outstanding; inspectors found kind, safe care with particularly strong personalised support and leadership.
This was an unannounced inspection on 13 June 2017. Inspectors spoke with 25 people living at the home, staff, relatives and health professionals. They observed care and checked care plans, staff records and other documents.
The home was rated Good for safe, effective and caring services. Inspectors found enough staff, safe recruitment, appropriate medicines support and good staff training. People were treated with kindness, involved in decisions and supported to stay independent.
The home was rated Outstanding for responsive care and for being well-led. Inspectors found personalised care plans, strong community links, varied activities and creative support for people living with dementia. The overall rating improved from Good at the previous inspection to Outstanding.
Personalised care
Care plans reflected people's individual needs, wishes and routines. Staff knew people's interests and supported them to make choices and remain independent.
“Everyone had a care plan that was personal to them and their individual needs and wishes.” from the report
Dementia support
The home used specialist training, memory aids, sensory activities and changes to the environment to support people living with dementia.
“The environment on the SRC unit had been adapted to meet the needs of people living with dementia.” from the report
Activities and community links
People were supported to use local facilities, attend community activities and take part in varied sessions at the home.
“There were excellent links with the community which enabled people to keep in touch with friends and continue to take an active part in their community.” from the report
Kind and respectful staff
Inspectors saw staff being patient, gentle and thoughtful. People were supported with privacy, dignity, faith and personal relationships.
“The responses from staff members were observed to be consistently gentle, sensitive and responsive to their individual needs.” from the report
Strong leadership
The management team listened to people and staff, acted on feedback and shared improvements across the organisation.
“This meant the management team was constantly looking at innovative ways to enhance the lives of people living in the home.” from the report
Call bell response
needs fixingOne relative said they had waited 30 minutes for staff to respond to a call bell. They said this had not happened again and bells were then answered in good time.
“However one relative explained how they had waited 30 minutes for staff to respond.” from the report
Courtyard garden
minorThe courtyard was unkempt and had no seating, so nobody was seen using it. The manager arranged seating with tables and parasols one week after the inspection.
“We noted that the courtyard garden area was looking unkempt with weeds and no seating area for people to sit.” from the report
- 01How quickly are call bells answered now, and how is this monitored?
- 02How are evening meal and supper choices offered and recorded?
- 03How is the courtyard garden being maintained and made available to residents?
- 04How will my relative's personal interests, routines and communication needs be recorded and reviewed?
- 05What dementia training and specialist support will staff caring for my relative receive?
This was an unannounced inspection covering all five key questions and the overall rating; the report says the previous overall rating was Good and the service improved to Outstanding. This explanation was written from the published report of 20 September 2017 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. The report was longer than we could read in one go; the later sections may not be reflected.
Every inspection of Frith House
2 rated inspections over 2 years: the service has improved, from Good to Outstanding.
- July 2021Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- September 2017Outstandingup from GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: OutstandingWell-led: Outstanding
- May 2015GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- July 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- May 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- May 2011
Report published without a new overall rating.
- November 2010
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 15 November 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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76 live-in carers within about two hours of Somerset
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 £1,020 to £1,370 a week. 62 can care for a couple. 12 years' experience on average.
“She looked after my mum, who can be incredibly challenging, so well and so gently, and we always felt confident that my mum was getting the best care available.”
“She was not phased by anything, she was adaptable, kind & gave us complete confidence to go away & not worry about a thing!”
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.