CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Heathcote
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
What inspectors found, March 2022
Inspected but not rated; inspectors found good COVID-19 controls, but chipped paint could make cleaning harder.
This was an announced, targeted inspection on 3 February 2022. It focused on infection prevention and control, visiting arrangements and staffing pressures linked to COVID-19.
Inspectors found that PPE, social distancing, testing and visiting arrangements were being managed. They were assured about most infection controls, but were only somewhat assured about the building's layout and hygiene practices because paintwork was chipped and damaged in several areas.
The home was inspected but not rated. This means the visit did not give an overall rating or a full rating for the five key questions.
PPE and social distancing
Staff were using PPE in line with government guidance. Furniture in communal areas was arranged to support social distancing.
“Staff were observed to be wearing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in line with current government guidance at the time of the inspection.” from the report
Visitor checks
Visiting professionals had to show vaccination evidence and a same-day lateral flow test. Their temperature was also recorded.
“Visiting professionals were required to evidence their vaccination status and produce a lateral flow test completed that day prior to entering the building.” from the report
Visiting arrangements
Visits were taking place in line with government guidance. A clear screen was available where needed and was cleaned after each use.
“The provider had installed a retractable clear screen to support safe visiting where this was required.” from the report
Vaccination records
People's vaccinations were recorded in their care plans to help plan and arrange booster injections when needed.
“People's vaccination was recorded within their care plan to ensure appropriate steps were taken to plan and arrange for booster injections as may be required.” from the report
Chipped and damaged paintwork
needs fixingPaintwork was damaged in several areas. Inspectors said this could stop surfaces being cleaned effectively and increase the risk of cross-contamination.
“Paintwork was observed to be chipped and damaged in multiple areas of the building.” from the report
- 01Has all the chipped and damaged paintwork been repaired, and when was this completed?
- 02How are surfaces with damaged paintwork being cleaned while refurbishment is arranged?
- 03How are you currently managing COVID-19-related staffing pressures?
- 04What checks are made on visitors' vaccination status, testing and temperature before entry?
- 05How are visiting arrangements being managed if a clear screen or extra ventilation is needed?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control, visiting arrangements and COVID-19-related staffing pressures; it did not provide a full rating of the service. This explanation was written from the published report of 3 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, December 2018
Heathcote is rated Good overall, with Outstanding caring and no serious risks identified.
This was an unannounced comprehensive inspection over 18 and 24 September 2018. One inspector spoke with people living in the home, visitors, staff and a healthcare professional. They also observed care and reviewed care files, staff records, audits and policies.
The home was rated Good for Safe, Effective, Responsive and Well-led. Caring was rated Outstanding. Inspectors found people were safe, treated with kindness and respect, supported to make choices, and given personalised care.
The overall Good rating and all five question ratings remained the same as at the previous inspection in September 2015. The report says there was no evidence of serious risks or concerns.
Kind and respectful care
Inspectors found that staff consistently treated people with compassion, empathy and respect. They also saw staff spending time talking with people and supporting their interests.
“We saw many examples of outstanding and positive caring interactions between the staff and people living in the service.” from the report
People felt safe
People said they felt safe, and inspectors found that risks were assessed and managed without unnecessarily limiting independence. Staffing levels were planned and met people's needs.
“We viewed the rotas in place and saw that safe levels of staffing had continued to be maintained and that they were planned well in advance.” from the report
Personalised support
Care records reflected people's individual preferences and interests. Staff supported people to remain independent, maintain relationships and take part in suitable activities.
“People received care that was personalised and responsive to their needs.” from the report
Good health and end-of-life support
People received support with eating, drinking and healthcare, with advice sought from specialists when needed. Inspectors found that end-of-life care aimed to keep people comfortable, dignified and free from pain.
“This helped ensure they were comfortable, dignified and pain free at the end of their lives.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How do you currently decide how many staff are needed on each shift, and how do you check that people are not kept waiting?
- 02How are care plans updated when a person's preferences, health or risks change?
- 03How are people who do not join group activities supported to have meaningful one-to-one time?
- 04How are people's food, drink and swallowing needs monitored, and when is specialist advice requested?
- 05How are people and relatives involved in reviewing care and raising concerns between formal meetings?
This was an unannounced comprehensive inspection covering all five key questions, with the ratings compared with the previous inspection in September 2015. This explanation was written from the published report of 29 December 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 Heathcote
2 rated inspections over 3 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- March 2022Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- December 2018Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: OutstandingResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- September 2015GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: OutstandingResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- May 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- October 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- March 2013
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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13 live-in carers within about an hour of Norfolk
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 £990 to £1,120 a week. 9 can care for a couple. 14 years' experience on average.
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.