CQC report explained · a nursing home
What the CQC found at Galanos House
Rated Outstanding: inspectors found the home performing exceptionally well.
What inspectors found, March 2022
Galanos House was inspected but not rated; inspectors found good infection control and support for wellbeing during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Inspectors visited on 16 February 2022. This was an announced, targeted inspection focused on infection prevention, visiting arrangements and the effect of COVID-19 staffing pressures.
They were assured that infection controls were in place. This included visitor checks, testing, safe use of protective equipment, hygiene measures, social distancing and arrangements for managing outbreaks.
The report also described support for staff and people’s wellbeing. Staff were trained as mental health first aiders, and people isolating were helped to keep in daily contact with their families and take part in meaningful activities.
The service was inspected but not rated. This means the visit did not give an overall rating or full ratings for the five areas of care.
Support for wellbeing
The home supported staff and people’s mental wellbeing. People who were isolating were helped to stay in daily contact with their families and take part in meaningful activities.
“Staff ensured that people in isolation had the opportunity to speak to their families every day, and spent time engaged in meaningful activities to promote positive wellbeing.” from the report
Infection control
Inspectors were assured that the home had arrangements covering visitors, testing, protective equipment, hygiene, social distancing and infection outbreaks.
“We were assured that the provider was using PPE effectively and safely.” from the report
Visiting arrangements
Visiting procedures and changes to them were communicated regularly. Entry checks included a negative lateral flow test, temperature check and health questionnaire.
“Visiting procedures were communicated regularly and any changes contained in a monthly newsletter.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How are you currently managing staffing pressures caused by illness or COVID-19?
- 02What checks and protective equipment are currently required for visitors?
- 03How do you support someone who needs to isolate to keep in contact with their family?
- 04How do you check that staff and essential care givers are using protective equipment safely?
- 05How are changes to visiting arrangements communicated to families?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control, visiting arrangements and COVID-19-related staffing pressures; it did not provide a full rating of the service. This explanation was written from the published report of 10 March 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, November 2017
Galanos House was rated Outstanding overall; inspectors found exceptionally caring, effective and responsive support, with some wound-care records needing improvement.
Inspectors visited on 14 and 18 September 2017. The first visit was unannounced. They spoke with people, relatives, staff and healthcare professionals, observed care, and checked care records, medicines, staffing, training and quality checks.
The home provided nursing, residential and dementia care for up to 91 people. Inspectors found people were safe, treated as individuals and supported to keep their independence, relationships and interests. Staff were described as kind, skilled and highly committed.
The overall rating was Outstanding. Safe was rated Good. Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led were rated Outstanding. The home had been rated Outstanding at the previous inspection in March 2015, while its Well-led rating improved from Good to Outstanding.
Kind, personal care
Staff knew people as individuals and built warm, respectful relationships. Inspectors saw a strong sense of community and belonging.
“There was a great sense of community and belonging.” from the report
Excellent dementia support
People living with dementia were supported through personalised activities, familiar surroundings and flexible routines. Staff encouraged independence and meaningful involvement.
“Poppy Lodge had recently been audited and continued to be an accredited Butterfly Service Home which meant they had achieved excellence in dementia care.” from the report
Meaningful daily life
People were encouraged to use their skills, follow their interests and contribute to the home and wider community.
“People had access to purposeful and meaningful occupation that was personal to them.” from the report
Good partnership working
Staff worked with healthcare professionals and other organisations to support people's health, end-of-life care and community links.
“Healthcare professionals confirmed staff worked with them to achieve positive outcomes for people.” from the report
Strong leadership
Managers had a clear vision, involved people and staff in improvements, and used audits and feedback to monitor care.
“The management team had a sustained track record of delivering excellent performance and encouraging improvement in care provision both locally and nationally.” from the report
Wound-care records
needs fixingSome wound-management plans were unclear. Checks showing that risk-reduction measures had been completed were not always recorded consistently. An improvement plan was already in place.
“We found wound management plans were not always clear, and checks to ensure risk reduction measures were taken, were not consistently recorded.” from the report
Agency staff during recruitment
minorThe home had increased planned staffing and was recruiting to fill new roles. Until then, agency staff were being used, although the same agency staff were used to provide more consistency.
“The provider was recruiting to fill the new roles, but in the meantime they were using agency staff to fill the vacancies.” from the report
- 01How have you improved wound-management plans and recording since this inspection?
- 02Are there still staffing vacancies, and how often are agency staff used now?
- 03How will you support my relative to keep their interests, relationships and independence?
- 04How do you adapt care for someone living with dementia, including communication and daily routines?
- 05How are families involved in care reviews and decisions about end-of-life care?
This was a comprehensive inspection covering all five key questions, with the first inspection day unannounced. This explanation was written from the published report of 1 November 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.
Every inspection of Galanos House
2 rated inspections over 2 years: the service has held its Outstanding rating throughout.
- March 2022Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- November 2017Outstandingstayed OutstandingSafe: GoodEffective: OutstandingCaring: OutstandingResponsive: OutstandingWell-led: Outstanding
- August 2015OutstandingSafe: GoodEffective: OutstandingCaring: OutstandingResponsive: OutstandingWell-led: Good
- January 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- January 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- December 2011
Report published without a new overall rating.
- January 2011
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 24 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 Warwickshire
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 £950 to £1,260 a week. 77 can care for a couple. 11 years' experience on average.
“If you bump into her in the night on her way to the bathroom she will still inquire how you are and if everything is alright.”
“I have never met a person who is so kind and thinks about others before himself to such an extent as Chris Malagala.”
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.