CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Blythswood Road
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors found people were protected from abuse and avoidable harm. Staffing, recruitment, medicines, risk assessments, premises checks and infection control were all found to be managed safely.
- Effective?
- Good
- People's needs were assessed and staff received induction, training and supervision. People were supported with food, healthcare, communication and decisions made under the Mental Capacity Act.
- Caring?
- Good
- Staff treated people with kindness, dignity and respect. People were supported to express their views, make choices and develop their independence.
- Responsive?
- Good
- Care plans reflected people's individual needs and preferences. People could take part in activities and community outings, and complaints were recorded and responded to appropriately.
- Well-led?
- Good
- Relatives and staff spoke positively about management. Inspectors found clear roles, appropriate quality checks, good partnership working and an open approach when concerns arose.
What inspectors found, March 2022
Rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and personalised care, with some records and training still needing improvement.
This was the home's first inspection since it registered. One inspector visited on 13 January 2022, reviewed care, medicines, staff and management records, observed care, and spoke with staff and three relatives.
The home was caring for two autistic people or people with learning disabilities, with space for up to five. Inspectors found people were safe, treated with dignity, supported to make choices, and helped to take part in activities they enjoyed.
All five areas were rated Good: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. The inspection was prompted partly by concerns about infection control, but inspectors were assured that infection prevention arrangements were effective.
Inspectors recommended that the home record when people or relatives do not want to discuss end of life wishes. They also found some staff training was outstanding and that assessment formats differed, although plans were in place to address these points.
Person-centred care
Care was built around people's individual choices, needs and preferences. Staff knew the people living in the home well.
“Care was person centred with people at the heart of the care.” from the report
Safe medicines and staffing
Inspectors found enough staff on duty, robust recruitment checks and safe medicines systems, including regular audits.
“Medicines were managed in a safe way. Staff had been trained to administer people's medicines and administration was audited correctly.” from the report
Respect and independence
People's privacy and dignity were respected. Staff encouraged people to do things for themselves where appropriate.
“People's privacy and dignity were respected, and their independence promoted.” from the report
Activities and community access
People took part in activities they chose, including outings and community-based activities.
“People were able to participate in activities they liked to do.” from the report
Positive leadership
Relatives and staff spoke positively about management, and inspectors found suitable systems for checking quality and safety.
“The service sought to continuously learn and improve care.” from the report
End of life records
minorThe home had not recorded people's end of life wishes because people or relatives did not want to discuss them. Inspectors recommended recording this decision when someone does not want to discuss their wishes.
“We recommend the service follow best practice guidance on recording end of life wishes.” from the report
Outstanding staff training
needs fixingSome staff training was outstanding. The manager said the pandemic had affected training and that a plan was in place to complete it.
“We saw some training was outstanding.” from the report
Different assessment formats
minorAssessments were being completed, but the formats were not consistent. The manager provided evidence that they would be standardised.
“We noted whilst assessments were being completed for all people who were admitted to the service, assessment formats differed.” from the report
- 01Which staff training was still outstanding at the inspection, and has it now been completed?
- 02How will you record a person's or relative's decision not to discuss end of life wishes?
- 03Have the different assessment formats now been standardised?
- 04How do you make sure each person's communication needs and preferences are reflected in their care plan?
- 05How often are medicines and infection control records audited, and how are any problems acted on?
This was the home's first inspection and covered all five key questions, including infection prevention and control after concerns were received about infection control. This explanation was written from the published report of 12 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.
Every inspection of Blythswood Road
Each visit the CQC has published, newest first, back to the day the home was registered.
- March 2022Goodcurrent ratingSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- March 2021
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 4 March 2021.
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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At least 100 live-in carers within about an hour of Redbridge
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 £1,250 a week. 75 can care for a couple. 10 years' experience on average.
“Sidonia is a first class live-in carer whose dedication and thoughtfulness made her stay a happy experience.”
“Charity would take Nan on holidays day trips and shopping adventures”
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.