CQC report explained · a nursing home
What the CQC found at Gracefields Nursing Home
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
What inspectors found, December 2020
Inspected but not rated; inspectors were assured about infection control and found thoughtful support for visits and family contact.
This was an announced, targeted inspection on 28 October 2020. It looked only at infection prevention and control during the coronavirus pandemic.
Inspectors were assured that the home used personal protective equipment safely, followed social distancing and shielding rules, supported testing, and had arrangements to prevent or manage outbreaks.
The home had planned different ways for families to visit, including garden visits, an internal visiting pod and screening for people who were bedbound or receiving end of life care. Staff also used policies, training, audits and daily checks.
The service was inspected but not rated. This means the inspection did not give an overall quality rating or a full rating for all five questions.
Visitor safety
Visitors were screened on arrival, given PPE and directed through the home by the shortest route. The home also collected contact details to support tracing.
“We were greeted by the registered manager and had our temperature taken, we were asked to wash our hands and to wear the PPE given to us.” from the report
Family contact
The home arranged garden visits and was installing an internal visiting pod. Visits were individually risk assessed to support safety, privacy and meaningful contact.
“Each person had been individually risk assessed to ensure visits were person centred.” from the report
Emotional support
Inspectors found that the home worked to maintain contact between people and their families during the pandemic and recognised the emotional impact of restrictions.
“Supporting the emotional wellbeing of people and their families had been paramount throughout the pandemic.” from the report
Policies and checks
The home had infection control policies and contingency plans. Staff received training and senior staff carried out spot checks and supervision.
“Gracefields had clear policies, procedures and contingency plans in place.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How have the visiting arrangements changed since the internal visiting pod was being installed in October 2020?
- 02How will you support visits for someone who is bedbound or receiving end of life care?
- 03How often do staff receive infection prevention and PPE training, and what do the daily spot checks show?
- 04How do you currently test people living in the home and staff for infections?
- 05What is your current plan for preventing or managing an infection outbreak?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control only; the service was inspected but not rated and the other four questions were not assessed. This explanation was written from the published report of 3 December 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, March 2020
Rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and personalised care with strong management.
This was a planned, unannounced inspection on 29 January and 4 February 2020. One inspector spoke with people living in the home, visitors, staff and community health professionals. They also observed care and checked care records, staff files, medicines, complaints and quality checks.
All five areas were rated Good: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. Inspectors found enough trained staff, safe recruitment, good medicines systems and suitable action to manage risks. The home was clean and well maintained.
People were supported with their health, food, communication, choices and relationships. Inspectors saw warm and respectful care, personalised support and activities. The overall Good rating means the service met the inspection standards and provided consistently good care at the time of this visit.
The previous inspection was also rated Good and was published in June 2017. This inspection was planned because of that previous rating. CQC said it would continue monitoring information received about the home and could inspect sooner if concerns arose.
Enough staff
Inspectors found enough staff with the skills and experience to meet people's needs. Staff responded promptly and did not appear rushed.
“During the inspection, the atmosphere in the home was calm and staff did not appear to be rushed, they responded promptly to people's requests for support.” from the report
Good health support
People could access GPs, emergency services and other health professionals when needed. Inspectors found referrals were suitable and staff followed professional guidance.
“The home ensured everyone had prompt and effective access to primary care including preventative screening and vaccinations, routine checks, GP call outs and access to emergency services.” from the report
Kind and respectful care
People were treated warmly and respectfully. Staff supported privacy, dignity, independence and personal grooming.
“We saw various examples where dignity and respect was promoted.” from the report
Personalised support
Care plans reflected people's wishes and staff understood individual routines and preferences. People could choose how to spend their day and take part in activities they enjoyed.
“People had care plans and where possible they took part in developing these so that staff respected individual wishes.” from the report
Strong management
The management team led by example and staff felt supported. Checks and audits were used to identify and act on improvements.
“Systems were in place to monitor and evaluate services provided in the home.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How would you meet my relative's specific nursing and dementia needs?
- 02How do you monitor and reapply Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards authorisations before they expire?
- 03How would you support my relative's communication needs, including any hearing, speech or dementia-related difficulties?
- 04What activities and contact with family would be available for my relative?
- 05How would you support my relative with end of life care and involve our family in planning?
This was an unannounced inspection of all five CQC questions, including the care provided and the home’s premises, and the ratings for all five areas were given at this visit. This explanation was written from the published report of 31 March 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.
Every inspection of Gracefields Nursing Home
3 rated inspections over 5 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- December 2020Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- March 2020Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- July 2017Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- June 2015GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: Requires improvementWell-led: Good
- September 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- February 2014
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 20 February 2014.
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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39 live-in carers within about an hour of South Gloucestershire
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 £1,280 a week. 32 can care for a couple. 11 years' experience on average.
“She was very caring, kind and patient to all his needs, she built up a wondetful rapport with him, she was dedicated and was there for him through good times as well as through the tough times”
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.