CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Gables
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors were assured that the home was using protective equipment safely, managing visitors and admissions, carrying out testing, and keeping its infection control policy up to date.
- Effective?
- Good
- Does the care work? Training, consent, food and drink, working with GPs and nurses.
- Caring?
- Good
- Are people treated with kindness and dignity?
- Responsive?
- Good
- Is care built around the person? Care plans, activities, complaints.
- Well-led?
- Good
- Is the home run well? The manager, the culture, how problems get found and fixed.
What inspectors found, May 2021
Inspected but not rated; inspectors were assured that infection prevention and control measures were in place.
This was an announced, targeted inspection on 9 April 2021. It looked at how the home was prepared to prevent and control COVID-19 infections. There were four people living there at the time, and the home could support up to seven people.
Inspectors found clear infection control instructions, regular cleaning and enough personal protective equipment. Staff had received infection prevention training, and testing arrangements were in place for people living at the home and staff.
The home was inspected but not rated overall. The Safe question was also marked inspected but not rated. This means the visit checked infection control arrangements rather than giving a new full quality rating.
Clear infection guidance
Instructions were displayed at the entrance and around the home to help reduce the spread of infection.
“There were clear instructions at the entrance of the building to minimise the risk of infection.” from the report
Protective equipment
Staff had infection prevention training, a designated area for putting on and removing protective equipment, and enough supplies.
“Staff had received training on infection prevention and the correct use of personal protective equipment (PPE).” from the report
Cleaning and checks
The home was visibly clean, including frequently touched areas, and audits were used to check infection control.
“The service was visibly clean and regular cleaning was undertaken including touchpoints such as light switches and door handles.” from the report
Testing arrangements
The provider was following government guidance on whole-home testing for people living at the home and staff.
“The provider was following the government guidance on whole home testing for people and staff.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How have the infection prevention and control arrangements changed since the inspection on 9 April 2021?
- 02How often are touchpoints such as light switches and door handles cleaned now?
- 03How do you make sure staff continue to use personal protective equipment safely?
- 04What testing arrangements are currently in place for people living at the home and staff?
- 05How are infection control audits used to identify and fix any problems?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control measures during the COVID-19 pandemic; it did not give a full overall rating. This explanation was written from the published report of 11 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
Rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and person-centred care, with a medicines recording issue about skin patches.
This was an unannounced inspection on 25 November 2019. The inspector spoke with one person, relatives, staff and a health professional, and observed care. Records, medicines, staff files, complaints and quality checks were also reviewed.
The home was rated Good in all five areas: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. Inspectors found enough staff, suitable training, personalised care plans, good support with health and nutrition, and respectful relationships.
There was one medicines concern. Staff did not always record where pain relief patches had been applied, as the manufacturer's guidance required. CQC recommended that the home improve this system, but did not report a breach of regulations.
Stable staffing
Inspectors found enough staff and no vacancies. People were supported by a long-serving team.
“People received care and support from a long serving, stable staff team with no staffing vacancies.” from the report
Kind and respectful care
Staff understood people's individual needs and communication styles. People and relatives reported positive, caring relationships.
“Staff knew people well, were passionate about providing personalised care and treated people with dignity and respect.” from the report
Choice and independence
Care was planned around people's preferences. People were supported to take part in activities, use the community and build life skills.
“The outcomes for people using the service reflected the principles and values of Registering the Right Support by promoting choice and control, independence and inclusion.” from the report
Good health support
People had health action plans, hospital passports and access to health checks and other professionals. Their health needs were monitored.
“Health care needs were closely monitored and any changes to people's health and wellbeing was responded to in a timely manner.” from the report
Patch records
needs fixingThe site of application for pain relief patches was not always recorded in line with the manufacturer's guidance. Repeatedly using the same site could put people at risk of adverse effects.
“Where people had been prescribed pain relief patches, the site of application on the body had not been recorded in line with manufacturer's guidance.” from the report
- 01How do you now record and check that pain relief patches are applied to alternating sites?
- 02How do you make sure there are enough familiar staff to support each person's needs?
- 03How do you communicate with people who cannot communicate verbally, and how are their choices recorded?
- 04How do you involve relatives and advocates in care reviews and decisions?
- 05What activities and community opportunities are currently available for each person?
This was an unannounced inspection covering all five CQC questions, and all five ratings remained Good from the previous inspection. This explanation was written from the published report of 7 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 Gables
2 rated inspections over 3 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- May 2021Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- December 2019Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- June 2017GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- November 2015
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 2 November 2015.
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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35 live-in carers within about an hour of Essex
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 £1,260 a week. 25 can care for a couple. 10 years' experience on average.
“Not only was she professional, polite and efficient but she bought a lovely smile and laughter to my parents home.”
“She brought fun and stimulation into mums life.”
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.