CQC report explained · a nursing home
What the CQC found at Handford House Care Home
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
What inspectors found, February 2022
Handford House Care Home was inspected but not rated; inspectors found good COVID-19 infection controls during an outbreak.
This was an announced, targeted inspection on 10 February 2022. It focused on infection prevention and control, visiting arrangements and whether COVID-19 staffing pressures affected care.
Inspectors found that staff used protective equipment properly and that the home was clean. Testing, self-isolation and infection control policies were in place. The home was closed to non-essential visitors because of a COVID-19 outbreak, but people were supported to keep in touch through window visits, video calls and telephone calls.
The service was inspected but not rated. This means the inspection did not give an overall quality rating or full ratings for all five areas of care.
Infection control
Staff followed infection prevention procedures and used protective equipment in line with guidance.
“We observed staff following good infection prevention and control practices including appropriate use of personal protective equipment (PPE) in line with government guidance to reduce the risk of infection.” from the report
Clean environment
The home was clean, with extra cleaning of high-touch areas.
“Handford House Care Home was clean throughout. Increased cleaning was taking place across all aspects of the home.” from the report
Keeping families connected
When visiting was restricted, people could use window visits, video calls and telephone calls to stay in touch.
“In the interim window visits, video and telephone calls were in place for people and their relatives to maintain their relationships.” from the report
Personalised COVID-19 plans
People had clear care plans to manage COVID-19 risks and support them in an individual way.
“People had clear care plans in place in relation to COVID-19, this ensured risks could be mitigated and people could be supported in a personalised way.” from the report
Temporary visitor restrictions
minorThe home was closed to non-essential visitors because of a COVID-19 outbreak. This may have affected how families could visit at the time.
“At the time of the inspection, the home was closed to non-essential visitors due to a COVID-19 outbreak.” from the report
Isolation was difficult for some people
needs fixingSome people living with cognitive impairment found it difficult to isolate in their bedrooms. The home used a separate zoned area and designated staff to reduce infection risks.
“However, for some people living with a cognitive impairment who had tested positive, isolating in their bedrooms had proved challenging.” from the report
- 01What are the current visiting arrangements, and what happens if there is another COVID-19 outbreak?
- 02How would you support a person with dementia or cognitive impairment who cannot manage bedroom isolation?
- 03How are staffing levels managed if staff need to self-isolate or there are COVID-19-related absences?
- 04What cleaning, ventilation, testing and PPE arrangements are currently in place?
- 05When was the service last given a full assessment and rating across all five areas of care?
This was a targeted inspection of COVID-19 infection prevention and control, visiting arrangements and COVID-19-related staffing pressures; the service was inspected but not rated and the other areas were not assessed. This explanation was written from the published report of 22 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.
What inspectors found, June 2018
Rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and personalised care, with major improvements since the previous inspection.
This was an unannounced comprehensive inspection on 19 and 20 April 2018. Inspectors observed care, meals and communication, spoke with people, visitors, staff and managers, and checked care records, recruitment files and quality checks.
The home was rated Good in all five areas: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. Inspectors found enough trained staff, safe medicines management, suitable risk assessments, clean surroundings and access to healthcare.
People were treated with kindness and dignity. Care plans reflected people's needs and choices, activities had improved, complaints were investigated, and people were supported at the end of their lives. The home had improved from Requires Improvement in every key question at the previous inspection and was no longer in breach of regulations.
Staffing and medicines
Inspectors found enough staff to meet people's needs. Medicines were stored, recorded and given safely.
“There were sufficient staff on duty to help keep people safe and medicines were managed safely meaning that people received their medicines as prescribed.” from the report
Personalised activities
People had choices about activities and could take part in outings, entertainment, cooking and other meaningful tasks. A sensory room and cinema room had also been added since the previous inspection.
“Different activities and outings were planned and staff worked together to make sure people were provided with the opportunity of participating in activities to reduce the risks of boredom.” from the report
Leadership and improvement
The new registered manager had led improvements since the previous inspection. Audits were being used to identify and address shortfalls.
“Where shortfalls were identified, records demonstrated that these were acted upon promptly.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How do you make sure current staffing levels remain sufficient for each person's needs?
- 02How are medicines checked now, including higher-risk medicines and medicine administration records?
- 03How are people's care plans reviewed when their needs or preferences change?
- 04What activities and outings are available now, and how do you involve residents in choosing them?
- 05How do you record and follow up concerns or complaints from residents and relatives?
This was an unannounced comprehensive inspection covering the care home, its premises and all five key questions. This explanation was written from the published report of 26 June 2018 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 Handford House Care Home
3 rated inspections over 3 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- February 2022Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- June 2018Goodup from Requires improvementSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- June 2017Requires improvementdown from GoodSafe: Requires improvementEffective: Requires improvementCaring: Requires improvementResponsive: Requires improvementWell-led: Requires improvement
- September 2015GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- April 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- March 2014
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 28 March 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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23 live-in carers within about an hour of Suffolk
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 £1,260 a week. 17 can care for a couple. 7 years' experience on average.
“Not only was she professional, polite and efficient but she bought a lovely smile and laughter to my parents home.”
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.