CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Greenacres Care Centre Limited
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors were assured about visitors, admissions, protective equipment, testing, outbreak planning and the infection-control policy. They were only somewhat assured about social distancing and the layout and hygiene practices of the premises.
- Effective?
- Good
- Not assessed in this targeted inspection.
- Caring?
- Good
- Not assessed in this targeted inspection.
- Responsive?
- Good
- Not assessed in this targeted inspection.
- Well-led?
- Good
- Not assessed in this targeted inspection.
What inspectors found, March 2021
Rated Good overall; inspectors found strong infection-control arrangements, but communal seating did not support social distancing.
The inspection took place on 15 February 2021 and was announced. It was a targeted inspection during the coronavirus pandemic, focused on infection prevention and control.
Inspectors found that visitors were checked, visiting times were staggered and a visiting booth helped people see relatives safely. Staff used protective equipment correctly, cleaning had increased and testing and vaccination were being carried out.
There was one shortfall. Seating in the lounge and dining rooms did not allow people to keep the recommended distance. The home said it took immediate action after the inspection and planned changes to the environment.
The overall rating was Good. The Safe question was also rated Good. The other four key questions were not assessed in this inspection.
Safe visiting
Visitors had temperature checks, symptom questionnaires and hand-sanitising measures. Visits were staggered and a visiting booth had been created.
“Visitors to the service were prevented from catching and spreading the infection because safe and effective measures were in place.” from the report
Protective equipment
Staff had received infection-control training and inspectors found that they used protective equipment correctly and understood how to put it on and take it off.
“Staff had received infection, prevention and control training, they wore PPE correctly, understood the importance of it” from the report
Outbreak planning
The home had testing arrangements, risk assessments and a contingency plan for an outbreak. The registered manager also used spot checks to monitor infection-control practice.
“Should an outbreak occur the registered manager had a robust contingency plan in place and staff were confident about what action to take.” from the report
Communal distancing
needs fixingSeating in the lounge and dining rooms did not allow people to keep the recommended distance. The home said it took immediate action after the inspection and planned changes to the layout.
“Seating arrangements in communal areas (lounge and dining rooms) did not enable people to socially distance and maintain the minimum distance from each other when sitting down” from the report
- 01What immediate changes were made to the lounge and dining room seating after the inspection?
- 02How do you now help people maintain distance in communal areas while supporting their mental health and wellbeing?
- 03How often are infection-prevention spot checks carried out, and can families see the results?
- 04What is the current visiting arrangement, including screening, hand hygiene and use of the visiting booth?
- 05How would you manage an infection outbreak, and what support would residents and families receive?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control, with the Safe question rated; the other four key questions were not assessed. This explanation was written from the published report of 13 March 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, January 2020
Greenacres Care Centre Limited was rated Good; inspectors found kind and generally safe care, with improvements needed to privacy, meals and records.
Inspectors visited on 7 and 8 January 2020. The first day was unannounced. They spoke with people, relatives and staff, observed care, and checked care plans, medicines records, training and audits. There were 36 people living there, out of a registered capacity of 39.
The home was rated Good in all five areas: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. People and families generally felt safe and said staff were kind. Inspectors found enough staff, a clean environment, suitable training, good links with health professionals and support that was mostly personalised.
There were some shortfalls. Privacy and dignity were not always protected, meals were not always prompt or suitable for people with dementia, and some care, medicine and hydration records were incomplete or inaccurate. The provider said immediate action was being taken, and inspectors made recommendations about governance, care plans, dining and dignity training.
Kind staff
People and families spoke positively about staff. Inspectors also saw friendly and affectionate interactions between staff and people.
“Staff are lovely…can't fault staff for being caring and kind” from the report
Safety and safeguarding
People said they felt safe. Staff understood what to do if they suspected abuse, and safety arrangements such as fire checks and emergency evacuation plans were in place.
“Staff had a good understanding of safeguarding procedures, which meant they knew what action to take should they suspect someone was being abused, mistreated or neglected.” from the report
Clean environment
The home was clean, tidy and free from unpleasant smells. Cleaning schedules covered the building and equipment.
“People lived in a clean environment.” from the report
Training and health support
Staff received training for both general duties and people's specific needs. The home worked with GPs, nurses and other professionals when required.
“Staff received training related to people's individual needs.” from the report
Choice and involvement
People and their representatives were asked for their views and were involved in care planning. Staff supported people to remain as independent as possible.
“People and their representatives were regularly asked for their views about their care plans and the delivery of their service, and had their wishes respected.” from the report
Privacy and dignity
needs fixingInspectors saw occasions when people's privacy and dignity were not protected. One person's incontinence pad was left exposed, and another person was left confused in a wheelchair in the lounge.
“However, on some occasions we observed people's dignity and privacy was not always promoted.” from the report
Dining experience
needs fixingSome meals were not served promptly. People with dementia were not always shown the meal choices, and noise in the dining area made it less pleasant.
“People were not always supported in line with the principles of good dementia care.” from the report
Incomplete care records
needs fixingSome care plans did not include important risks, including choking and epilepsy. Two of the 11 care plans checked were not up to date, although the manager took immediate action.
“However, of the nine care plans we viewed, one care plan did not detail the risks relating to choking, and one did not contain information about epilepsy.” from the report
Communication
minorSome staff and families said communication needed to improve. One family's message about collecting their relative was not passed on, so the person was not ready when they arrived.
“Families also felt communication needed to improve” from the report
- 01What changes have been made to protect people's privacy and dignity during moving, handling and personal care?
- 02How are meals now served promptly and how are people with dementia shown and supported with their meal choices?
- 03How do you check that care plans include current risks such as choking and epilepsy?
- 04What checks now make sure creams are dated, body maps are completed, and medicine administration records are accurate?
- 05How has communication with families and between managers and staff been improved?
This was a planned inspection covering all five CQC questions, including the premises and care provided; all five ratings were Good and the previous overall rating was also Good. This explanation was written from the published report of 24 January 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 Greenacres Care Centre Limited
4 rated inspections over 6 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- March 2021Goodcurrent ratingstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
Read what inspectors found at Greenacres Care Centre Limited →
- January 2020Goodstayed GoodSafe: Good
Read what inspectors found at Greenacres Care Centre Limited →
- July 2017Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- April 2015GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- May 2014
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 9 May 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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