CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Gresham House
Rated Outstanding: inspectors found the home performing exceptionally well.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors were assured that the home used PPE safely, arranged testing, followed social distancing rules and had procedures to prevent and manage infection outbreaks. The provider said it had measures to reduce the impact of COVID-19-related staffing pressures.
- Effective?
- Good
- This area was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
- Caring?
- Outstanding
- This area was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
- Responsive?
- Outstanding
- This area was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
- Well-led?
- Good
- This area was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
What inspectors found, March 2022
Inspected but not rated; inspectors found good infection control and visiting arrangements during the COVID-19 pandemic.
This was an unannounced, targeted inspection on 28 February 2022. Inspectors looked at infection prevention and control, visiting arrangements and whether COVID-19 staffing pressures affected the home.
Inspectors found good supplies of personal protective equipment, regular COVID-19 testing, enhanced cleaning and suitable arrangements for social distancing. They were assured that the home had measures to prevent and manage infection outbreaks.
The home kept relatives informed about visiting. During an outbreak, people isolating in their rooms were given walkie-talkies to contact staff and were supported with themed days to help maintain their wellbeing.
The service was inspected but not rated. This means the report does not give an overall quality rating or full ratings for all five areas of care.
Visiting arrangements
Relatives were kept up to date with visiting arrangements. A visiting pod or summer house helped people meet visitors while reducing infection risks.
“A visiting pod/summer house was available in the garden for visitors to meet people.” from the report
PPE supplies
The home had readily available supplies of face masks and hand sanitiser, with additional stocks available from another care home.
“The service had good supplies of personal protective equipment (PPE) such as face masks and hand sanitiser.” from the report
Support during isolation
People isolating in their rooms could contact staff using walkie-talkies. The home used themed days to help maintain people's wellbeing.
“People's well-being had been maintained throughout their period of isolation by themed days, such as donut day or fish and chips day.” from the report
Cleaning and testing
Inspectors found enhanced cleaning, regular COVID-19 testing and a layout that supported social distancing.
“There were enhanced cleaning practices and check. The home was clean and had a large lounge which helped enable social distancing.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How are you currently managing staffing pressures and what would happen if COVID-19 affected staffing again?
- 02How would my relative keep in touch with staff if they had to isolate in their room?
- 03How would you keep relatives informed about visiting arrangements during an outbreak?
- 04How often are people living here and staff tested for COVID-19 now?
- 05What infection control measures are currently in place for visitors and visiting professionals?
This was an unannounced targeted inspection of infection prevention and control, visiting arrangements and COVID-19-related staffing pressures; the service was inspected but not rated and the other care areas were not assessed. This explanation was written from the published report of 17 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, September 2017
Gresham House was rated Outstanding; inspectors found safe, effective care with especially kind, personalised and responsive support.
This was an announced, comprehensive inspection on 11 August 2017. One inspector and an expert by experience spoke with people living in the home, relatives, staff and local authority case managers. They also observed care and checked care records, staff files, medicines, policies and quality checks.
The home supported up to 12 adults with a learning disability. Inspectors rated it Good for safe, effective and well-led care. They rated caring and responsive care Outstanding. The overall rating was Outstanding.
Inspectors found enough suitable staff, personalised risk plans, safe medicines practice and prompt access to healthcare. Staff had relevant training and understood people's individual needs.
People were helped to communicate in ways that suited them. Their choices, independence, activities and care plans were taken seriously. The home had a strong focus on improvement and involved people in checking how it was run.
Communication
The home used individual and creative ways to help people express their views, including pictures, symbols and videos.
“The service was exceptional at helping people to express their views, so staff understood people's perspectives.” from the report
Personalised support
Care plans included people's routines, interests, likes, dislikes and communication methods. Staff used this information in everyday support.
“People received care and support that was thoroughly personalised and their preferences were taken into account.” from the report
Kind and respectful care
Staff built positive relationships and supported people's dignity, privacy, confidence and independence.
“Staff went 'the extra mile' to enhance people's experience in the service.” from the report
Flexible activities
Activities were tailored to people's interests and could change if someone felt differently on the day. People were supported with outings, holidays and social contact.
“The arrangements for social activities were flexible and met people's individual needs.” from the report
Safety and risk management
Risk assessments were specific to each person and gave staff clear instructions. Accidents, incidents, medicines and the environment were regularly checked.
“Risk assessments were centred on the needs of the individuals and there were sufficient staff on duty to safely meet people's needs.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How would you support my relative to communicate their choices, worries and consent?
- 02What training do staff have for my relative's particular health needs, communication needs or distressed behaviours?
- 03How are activities and daily routines changed when a person changes their mind or is having a difficult day?
- 04How will my relative and our family be involved in reviewing their care plan and risk assessments?
- 05How do you check that medicines are given at the right time and that any changes are recorded?
This was an announced comprehensive inspection covering all five questions; the previous inspection in July 2015 had rated the home Good overall. This explanation was written from the published report of 14 September 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 Gresham House
2 rated inspections over 2 years: the service has improved, from Good to Outstanding.
- March 2022Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- September 2017Outstandingup from GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: OutstandingResponsive: OutstandingWell-led: Good
- August 2015GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- September 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- March 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- November 2011
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 28 November 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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39 live-in carers within about an hour of Kent
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 £1,260 a week. 33 can care for a couple. 12 years' experience on average.
“Always on time and with a lovely smile for my mum. Theresa is kind and sensitive to my mum's needs.”
“Irene was a very kind and empathetic carer who knew just the right words to say to put a smile on my face.”
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.