CQC report explained · a nursing home
What the CQC found at Highmarket House
Rated Requires improvement: inspectors found the home was not performing as well as it should and told it what to change.
What inspectors found, December 2020
Inspected but not rated; inspectors found good infection prevention and control arrangements during a targeted COVID-19 review.
Inspectors visited the home on 17 December 2020. The visit was announced and focused on infection prevention and control because of coronavirus outbreaks in care homes.
They found well-managed entry procedures, safe waste handling, clear cleaning schedules and good supplies of personal protective equipment. They were assured that staff understood how to use this equipment safely.
The home had arrangements for testing, safe admissions, social distancing, outbreak management and keeping relatives in touch. The inspection did not give an overall quality rating.
Infection control
Inspectors were assured that the home was meeting infection prevention and control guidelines.
“We were assured that this service met good infection prevention and control guidelines as a designated care setting.” from the report
Cleaning
Cleaning routines were clearly shown to staff and carried out by the housekeeping team.
“Robust cleaning schedules were clearly displayed for staff and conducted by an excellent housekeeping team.” from the report
PPE and training
The home had enough PPE from a checked supplier, and staff understood how to put it on and take it off safely.
“Staff had infection control training and understood the correct donning and doffing procedure.” from the report
Communication with relatives
The provider used technology to help relatives stay in contact with people living at the home.
“The provider ensured people's relatives were able to get in touch with people, for example by using technology.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How are visitors currently checked and recorded before entering the home?
- 02How often are people living at the home and staff tested for COVID-19 now?
- 03How would you manage an infection outbreak, and when was the contingency plan last reviewed?
- 04How do you support people living with dementia who find social distancing difficult?
- 05How can relatives keep in touch with residents who cannot have ordinary visits?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control practices only, and the service was inspected but not rated. This explanation was written from the published report of 25 December 2020 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, July 2018
Highmarket House was rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and personalised care, with some mixed views about the food.
This was an unannounced first inspection on 14 May 2018. Inspectors observed care, spoke with people, relatives, visitors and staff, and checked care records, staff files and management records.
The home was rated Good in all five areas: safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led. Inspectors found enough staff, safe medicines, suitable risk plans and staff who were trained to meet people's needs.
People were treated with kindness, dignity and respect. Care plans were personal and updated when needs changed. People enjoyed activities and were supported to give feedback and raise complaints.
The home was newly registered, so this was its first inspection. There was no previous rating to compare with.
Kind and respectful care
Inspectors saw warm interactions and found that staff respected privacy, dignity and personal choices.
“There was a caring culture promoted by the management team.” from the report
Personalised care plans
Care plans included people's life histories, preferences and support needs. Staff used this information to build relationships and provide individual care.
“Care plans included information that enabled staff to know people as unique individuals.” from the report
Safe medicines
Medicines were stored and administered safely. Staff were trained and their competence was checked.
“Medicines were administered by staff who had completed training and their competencies were assessed to ensure they were able to administer medicines safely.” from the report
Activities and community links
People took part in activities inside and outside the home, including trips, shopping and events involving local groups.
“People enjoyed a range of activities organised by an activities team.” from the report
Mixed views about food
minorPeople had different views about the meals. The report says the home was making ongoing menu changes to reflect people's preferences.
“I wouldn't say I'm raving about the food, it is okay, I would say it is a bit clumsy and it can be a bit hit and miss” from the report
- 01How do you act on residents' mixed feedback about the food, and how are menu changes checked?
- 02How do you make sure care plans are updated promptly when a person's needs change?
- 03How many staff are normally on duty during the day and at night, and how do you adjust this when people's needs increase?
- 04How are activities matched to each person's interests, abilities and choice not to take part?
- 05How are relatives told about changes in a person's health or care needs?
This was an unannounced first inspection covering all five CQC areas, including observations, conversations and checks of care, staff and management records. This explanation was written from the published report of 11 July 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 Highmarket House
Each visit the CQC has published, newest first, back to the day the home was registered.
- December 2020Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- July 2018GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- September 2017
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 26 September 2017.
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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38 live-in carers within about an hour of Oxfordshire
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. 32 can care for a couple. 12 years' experience on average.
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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.