CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Golden Years Care Home
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- People told inspectors they felt safe, and there were enough staff to meet their needs. Risks were assessed and monitored, infection control was satisfactory, and medicines were administered safely, although audits needed strengthening.
- Effective?
- Good
- This area was not inspected during this visit. The rating was carried forward from the previous inspection.
- Caring?
- Good
- This area was not inspected during this visit. The rating was carried forward from the previous inspection.
- Responsive?
- Good
- This area was not inspected during this visit. The rating was carried forward from the previous inspection.
- Well-led?
- Good
- People received person-centred care and felt listened to. The management team used audits, meetings and feedback to improve the home, although more formal systems were still being developed.
What inspectors found, November 2022
Golden Years Care Home is rated Good; inspectors found safe, caring support, but medicines audits and management checks needed strengthening.
This was an unannounced inspection carried out on 4 and 5 October 2022. One inspector spoke with five people living at the home, two relatives and three staff. They observed care, checked records, reviewed medicines and recruitment files, and looked at infection control.
The home was clean and hygienic. Inspectors found enough staff, safe recruitment checks, good safeguarding arrangements and well-managed risks. People received their medicines safely, although medicines audits needed to happen more often and include additional checks.
Inspectors found person-centred care and a friendly, caring atmosphere. The management team listened to people's views and used audits and meetings to make improvements, although more formal management systems were still being developed.
The overall rating was Good. Safe and Well-led were both rated Good. The other three areas were not inspected during this visit, so their previous ratings from 2018 were used for the overall rating.
People felt safe
People and relatives told inspectors they felt safe and confident in the care provided.
“Plenty of staff around so no need to worry about safety.” from the report
Enough staff
Inspectors found enough staff to meet people's needs, and people said they did not have to wait long for help.
“There were sufficient staff at the time of the visit to support people's care needs.” from the report
Clean and hygienic
The home was clean and hygienic. Inspectors were assured that infection prevention measures, PPE and outbreak arrangements were in place.
“The building was clean and hygienic and staff were seen to wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).” from the report
Caring and person-centred
Care records were up to date and people described the home as friendly and caring. Relatives were kept informed.
“People received person centred care and support.” from the report
People's views used
The provider gathered views through informal discussions and meetings, and staff could suggest changes to improve the home.
“The provider and deputy manager encouraged people to provide their views and about how the service operated through informal meetings, group meetings with staff and relatives and discussions with people.” from the report
Medicines audits
needs fixingSystems for managing medicines were in place, but inspectors said audits needed to be more frequent and include additional checks. The deputy manager said changes were being introduced.
“However, their auditing systems, although in place required more frequent and additional checks.” from the report
Recruitment records
minorThe provider was changing its application form so that full employment histories and gaps were recorded more thoroughly. No staff had been recruited for about a year.
“The provider was in the process of changing the application form to request a full employment history with any gaps explained so that the process was more thorough.” from the report
Formal quality checks
minorManagement audits were in place, but more formal systems were still being developed to monitor performance and improve care and the environment.
“However more formal systems were in the process of being developed so that they can continually improve the care and develop a better environment for everyone.” from the report
Safeguarding training updates
minorSafeguarding training was being updated. Staff understood how to report concerns and records showed staff had received safeguarding training.
“Safeguarding training was in the process of being updated for staff and they were aware of the procedures to follow to enable people to keep safe.” from the report
- 01How often are medicines audits now completed, and how are discrepancies identified and acted upon?
- 02What formal quality and safety checks have been introduced since the inspection?
- 03Has the application form been changed to record full employment histories and explain any gaps?
- 04Is safeguarding training now fully up to date for all staff?
- 05How are falls monitored and what changes are made when patterns or risks are identified?
This was a focused inspection of Safe and Well-led, including infection prevention and control; the other three key-question ratings were carried forward from the previous inspection published in 2018. This explanation was written from the published report of 2 November 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, February 2022
Inspected but not rated; inspectors found good infection-control arrangements and support for visits.
The inspection was unannounced and took place on 11 January 2022. It was a targeted inspection after concerns were received about infection prevention and control. Inspectors also asked about staffing pressures linked to COVID-19.
Inspectors found the home was clean and supported people to keep in contact with important people. A separate area was available for face-to-face visits, which were considered for each person.
The home had infection-control training, personal protective equipment and hand gel. Inspectors were assured about visiting arrangements, testing, use of protective equipment, hygiene, outbreak management and the up-to-date infection-control policy.
The service was inspected but not rated. This means the report does not give a Good, Requires improvement or other quality rating.
Clean environment
People were supported in a clean setting that helped them keep in contact with people important to them.
“People were supported in a clean environment that supported people's rights to maintain contact with those who were important to them.” from the report
Infection-control training
Staff had received training to keep their infection prevention and control knowledge up to date.
“Staff had received training to help ensure their knowledge on infection prevention and control was up to date.” from the report
Support from other professionals
The home kept close links with other professionals and obtained medical advice when needed.
“The home maintained close links with other professionals and if medical advice was needed, this was obtained.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How did COVID-19-related staffing pressures affect staffing levels and people's care?
- 02How are face-to-face visits considered for each person, and what arrangements are available now?
- 03How does the home check that staff and visiting professionals meet the COVID-19 vaccination requirements or have an exemption?
- 04How does the home manage and record any infection outbreaks?
- 05How often is infection prevention and control training refreshed for staff?
This was an unannounced targeted inspection of infection prevention and control and COVID-19-related staffing pressures; it did not provide a full service rating. This explanation was written from the published report of 4 February 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.
Every inspection of Golden Years Care Home
3 rated inspections over 7 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- November 2022Goodcurrent ratingSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- February 2022Inspected but not ratedSafe: Inspected but not rated
- May 2021Inspected but not ratedSafe: Inspected but not rated
- February 2018Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodWell-led: Good
- December 2015GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- June 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- August 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- January 2011
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 6 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
32 live-in carers within about an hour of Blackpool
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 £1,250 a week. 31 can care for a couple. 12 years' experience on average.
“Thanks to Tracy, Dad was always immaculately dressed and clean, his meals were all home cooked and nutritionally well balanced and his home was always kept really clean and tidy.”
“He developed a close affinity with Terence, spending time talking with him before he retired to bed and looking after his needs during the night.”
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.