CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Greenwood Cottage
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- People said they felt safe. Inspectors found risks were assessed, staffing was sufficient, recruitment was robust and medicines were administered safely.
- Effective?
- Good
- Staff had relevant training and supervision. People received support with food, drink, healthcare and decision-making.
- Caring?
- Good
- Staff were observed to be kind, respectful and considerate. People were supported to make choices and remain as independent as possible.
- Responsive?
- Good
- Staff knew people's needs and preferences well. Care records were personalised, and people were supported with activities and interests of their choice.
- Well-led?
- Good
- Managers involved people, relatives and staff in how the home was run. Quality checks were carried out and action plans were used where improvements were identified.
What inspectors found, November 2017
Greenwood Cottage is Rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and personalised care, with a new manager taking over.
This was an unannounced, comprehensive inspection on 27 October 2017. One inspector spoke with people living there, relatives and staff, observed care, and checked care records, staff files and management records.
The home was rated Good overall and Good in all five areas: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. Inspectors found enough staff, safe medicines support, suitable training, respectful care, personalised activities and systems for listening to people's views.
The service had also been rated Good at the inspection in October 2015. The registered manager had resigned and a new registered manager had been appointed. The report also records an action plan following a review of the home's fire risk assessment.
People felt safe
People told inspectors they felt safe, and staff understood how to identify and report concerns. Risks were assessed and managed, with enough staff on duty.
“People told us they felt safe living in the service.” from the report
Safe medicines support
Staff who supported people with medicines were trained and had their competence checked. Records and audits supported safe practice.
“People received their medicines regularly and in accordance with the prescriber's instruction.” from the report
Kind and respectful care
Inspectors observed staff comforting people, speaking with them and respecting their privacy. People and relatives described staff as kind and caring.
“We saw staff interacting with people in a thoughtful and considerate way.” from the report
Personalised support
Care records included people's interests, preferences and life history. Staff supported people to choose activities and avoid doing things they did not want to do.
“People's care records contained detailed and personalised information about them, such as hobbies, interests, their preferences and life history.” from the report
People's views were included
People and relatives were asked for their views through meetings and questionnaires. Inspectors found that feedback was listened to and acted on.
“People, staff and relatives were involved in discussions around how the service was run.” from the report
Fire risk action plan
minorThe report says an action plan was in progress after a review of the home's fire risk assessment. Families should ask what improvements were identified and whether they have been completed.
“An action plan was also in progress following a review of the homes fire risk assessment.” from the report
- 01What improvements were identified in the review of the home's fire risk assessment, and has the action plan been completed?
- 02How was care kept consistent during the change from the former registered manager to the new registered manager?
- 03How will you make sure staffing levels continue to meet people's changing needs?
- 04How are relatives involved in reviews and decisions about their family member's care?
- 05How do you record and act on people's feedback and complaints?
This was an unannounced, comprehensive inspection covering all five CQC questions, using conversations, observation and checks of care, staff and management records. This explanation was written from the published report of 29 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 Greenwood Cottage
2 rated inspections over 2 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- November 2017Goodcurrent ratingstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- November 2015GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- March 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- December 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- August 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- April 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- January 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- January 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- December 2011
Report published without a new overall rating.
- October 2011
Report published without a new overall rating.
- January 2011
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 18 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.
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At least 100 live-in carers within about an hour of Hertfordshire
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 £1,300 a week. 82 can care for a couple. 12 years' experience on average.
“She handled the new situation in front of her with such professionalism and I felt I could trust her 100%.”
“She was v competent and confident and we felt our mum was safe in her care. She supported us through a difficult time.”
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.