CQC report explained · a nursing home
What the CQC found at Holmer Care Home with Nursing
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- People's risks were assessed and reviewed, staff understood safeguarding and infection control, and medicines were managed safely. Staffing levels had been increased, but staff deployment at meal times was still under review.
- Effective?
- Good
- People's needs were assessed using recognised tools, and staff were trained and knowledgeable. People received suitable food, healthcare support and help to make their own decisions.
- Caring?
- Good
- Inspectors saw compassionate, patient staff who respected people's dignity, privacy and choices. People and relatives said staff were kind, considerate and supportive.
- Responsive?
- Good
- Care was personalised and staff knew people's histories, preferences and communication needs. Activities were arranged regularly, but some people wanted more access to the outside and walks.
- Well-led?
- Good
- The management team was described as open and approachable, with systems to monitor quality and respond to feedback. Communication between staff had been identified as needing improvement and changes were being reviewed.
What inspectors found, February 2020
Holmer Care Home with Nursing was rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind care, with some improvements still being developed.
This was an unannounced inspection on 22 and 23 January 2020. Inspectors spoke with people living in the home, relatives, visitors and staff. They observed care and reviewed care records, medicines records, staff records and management information.
The home was rated Good in all five areas: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. Inspectors found that people were protected from avoidable harm, received their medicines safely and had care based on their needs and choices.
People described kind and respectful staff, good food and a welcoming atmosphere. The home had identified some areas for improvement, including staff communication, meal-time deployment and access to outdoor activities. These improvements were being worked on or reviewed.
Keeping people safe
Risk assessments were current and staff knew how to reduce known risks. Accidents and incidents were reviewed so the home could learn from them.
“Risk assessments were up to date and reviewed when required.” from the report
Kind and respectful care
Inspectors saw staff treating people with compassion and respect. People's privacy, dignity and independence were supported.
“We saw examples of staff being kind and caring throughout the inspection.” from the report
Personalised support
Care records included people's histories, preferences, cultural and spiritual needs. Staff used this information to provide individual support.
“We saw staff were able to provide personalised care tailored to the needs and wishes of the individual.” from the report
Open management
People, relatives and staff said managers listened to feedback. The provider used audits, meetings and reviews to identify and make improvements.
“All the staff we spoke with said the registered manager had created an open and positive culture at the home.” from the report
Staff deployment at meal times
needs fixingOne relative said people could wait for support at meal times. The home had increased staffing and was reviewing how staff were deployed.
“One relative said staff could be deployed more effectively at meal times to ensure people were not waiting for support.” from the report
Communication between staff
needs fixingThe home had identified that handovers and communication needed to improve. New systems were being introduced and their effectiveness was still being checked.
“The management team had identified that communication between staff needed improving and had started to improve handovers” from the report
Outdoor activities
minorPeople had mixed views about activities. Some wanted more access to the outside and walks, and the management team recognised that improvement was needed.
“Others said they would prefer more access to the outside and walks.” from the report
- 01How are staff now deployed at meal times, and how do you check that people are not waiting for support?
- 02What changes have been made to staff handovers and communication, and what has the review shown?
- 03What outdoor activities and walks are currently available to residents?
- 04How are care plans being transferred to the new electronic system and kept up to date?
- 05What training are staff receiving to improve support for people living with dementia during meal times and activities?
This was an unannounced inspection covering all five CQC questions, including the premises and care provided; it was the first inspection of this newly registered service. This explanation was written from the published report of 12 February 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.
Every inspection of Holmer Care Home with Nursing
Each visit the CQC has published, newest first, back to the day the home was registered.
- February 2020Goodcurrent ratingSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
Read what inspectors found at Holmer Care Home with Nursing →
- January 2019
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 24 January 2019.
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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11 live-in carers within about an hour of Herefordshire, County of
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 £960 to £1,410 a week. 10 can care for a couple. 8 years' experience on average.
“She was very caring, kind and patient to all his needs, she built up a wondetful rapport with him, she was dedicated and was there for him through good times as well as through the tough times”
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.