CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at High Brake House
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors were assured that infection risks were managed through screening, testing, personal protective equipment, cleaning, ventilation and updated policies. The provider also said it had measures to manage COVID-19-related staffing pressures.
- Effective?
- Good
- This question was not assessed in the targeted inspection.
- Caring?
- Good
- This question was not assessed in the targeted inspection.
- Responsive?
- Requires improvement
- This question was not assessed in the targeted inspection.
- Well-led?
- Good
- This question was not assessed in the targeted inspection.
What inspectors found, February 2022
High Brake House was inspected but not rated; inspectors found strong COVID-19 infection control and visiting arrangements.
This was an announced, targeted inspection focused on infection prevention and control, visiting arrangements and staffing pressures linked to COVID-19. The report gives the inspection date as 2 February 2022, while the front page says 01 February 2022.
Inspectors found screening and testing for visitors, staff and new residents. They found suitable use of personal protective equipment, regular cleaning, good ventilation and infection control policies that were kept up to date.
The home was clean and calm during the visit. Inspectors were assured that people were admitted safely, visits were facilitated in line with guidance and non-exempt staff and visiting professionals were vaccinated.
The overall service and Safe rating were both marked 'Inspected but not rated'. This means the inspection did not provide a new quality rating for the home.
Infection control
Staff followed infection control procedures, used protective equipment appropriately and had access to plentiful supplies.
“There were plentiful supplies of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and stocks were carefully monitored.” from the report
Clean and calm environment
Inspectors found the home hygienic, well ventilated and suitable for social distancing. They saw staff responding to people's needs during the visit.
“The atmosphere of the home was cheerful and calm.” from the report
Safe admissions and testing
New residents were admitted after a negative COVID-19 test and were supported to self-isolate. Regular testing was in place for residents and staff.
“People were only admitted following a negative COVID-19 test result and supported to self-isolate in line with current guidance to reduce the risk of introducing infection.” from the report
Visiting arrangements
Inspectors were assured that visits were being supported in line with current guidance, with checks for visitors and visiting professionals.
“We were assured the provider was facilitating visits for people living in the home in accordance with the current guidance.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01What measures are currently in place to manage staffing pressures linked to COVID-19?
- 02How are visitors currently screened, tested and supported to visit residents?
- 03What testing arrangements are currently in place for residents and staff?
- 04How are new residents admitted and supported during any required period of self-isolation?
- 05How often are infection prevention and control policies and audits reviewed?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control, visiting arrangements and COVID-19-related staffing pressures; it did not provide ratings for the other key questions or a new overall rating. This explanation was written from the published report of 26 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, February 2018
Rated Good overall; inspectors found safe, kind care, but the complaints process and some responsive care needed improvement.
Inspectors visited on 20, 21 and 22 December 2017. The first day was unannounced. They spoke with people, a visitor, staff and managers. They observed care, looked around parts of the home and checked care plans, medicines, staff recruitment, complaints and quality records.
The home was rated Good overall. Safe, Effective, Caring and Well-led were all rated Good. People said they felt safe, were treated kindly and had access to healthcare, activities, food and flexible visits. Improvements since the previous inspection included medicines management and staff recruitment.
Responsive was rated Requires Improvement. The complaints information given to people and families did not match the home's policy. Complaint records lacked confidentiality, structure and clear timelines. Inspectors made a recommendation to improve the complaints process, but found no breaches of regulations.
Safe care
People said they felt safe, and staff understood how to recognise and report abuse. Risk assessments, emergency plans and safety checks were in place.
“The people we spoke with indicated they felt safe at the service.” from the report
Medicines improved
Medicines were stored, administered and recorded safely. The report says this had improved since the previous inspection, and some remaining recording gaps were addressed during the visit.
“At this inspection we noted sufficient improvements had been made.” from the report
Kind and respectful staff
People spoke warmly about staff. Inspectors saw staff listening, respecting privacy and supporting people to make choices and remain independent.
“During the inspection we observed staff interacting with people in a kind, friendly and respectful manner.” from the report
Personalised support
Everyone had a care plan describing their needs, preferences and routines. Staff knew people well and care plans were reviewed with people's involvement.
“Everyone had a care plan which identified their needs and preferences and how they wished to be supported.” from the report
Food and healthcare
People were positive about the food and could choose meals, including special diets. The home monitored health needs and worked with healthcare professionals.
“People made positive comments about the meals provided at the service.” from the report
Complaints information was unclear
needs fixingThe procedure available to people and families did not match the home's policy. Some contact details were missing and the guidance on making complaints conflicted.
“However we found the complaints procedure available for people who used the service and their families did not adequately reflect the policy.” from the report
Complaint records were not sufficiently confidential
needs fixingConcerns, complaints and compliments were recorded together in one bound book. Records did not clearly show how some complaints were handled or the timeline for investigations.
“Although this recording method was not used for 'serious and formal' complaints, it did not support the principles of confidentiality and effective data management.” from the report
Some activities and records needed further development
minorThe home was still developing more meaningful activities and engagement for people living with dementia. Some end-of-life preferences had not been recorded in care records.
“We noted a folder of potential 'mindful activities' had been collated for reference.” from the report
- 01What changes have you made to the complaints procedure since the inspection?
- 02How are complaints now recorded confidentially, and how do you track investigation timescales?
- 03What meaningful activities are now available for people living with dementia?
- 04How do you record and review each person's wishes about end-of-life care?
- 05How do you check that medicines protocols and staff competency records remain complete and up to date?
This was a comprehensive inspection covering all five CQC questions, the overall service and parts of the premises, with records and care for a sample of people reviewed. This explanation was written from the published report of 6 February 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 High Brake House
2 rated inspections over 2 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- February 2022Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- February 2018Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: Requires improvementWell-led: Good
- June 2016GoodSafe: Requires improvementEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- May 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- July 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- May 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- July 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- September 2011
Report published without a new overall rating.
- November 2010
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 25 November 2010.
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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85 live-in carers within about an hour of Lancashire
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. 78 can care for a couple. 11 years' experience on average.
“She understands the needs of an elderly person in the early stages of dementia and has treated my mother with great kindness and skill.”
“Thanks to Tracy, Dad was always immaculately dressed and clean, his meals were all home cooked and nutritionally well balanced and his home was always kept really clean and tidy.”
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.