CQC report explained · a nursing home
What the CQC found at Holmwood House Care Centre
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors were assured that infection prevention and control measures were safe. This included testing, protective equipment, visitor arrangements, admissions, cleaning and managing outbreaks.
- Effective?
- Good
- This was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
- Caring?
- Good
- This was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
- Responsive?
- Good
- This was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
- Well-led?
- Good
- This was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
What inspectors found, February 2021
Holmwood House Care Centre was inspected but not rated; inspectors found good infection prevention and control arrangements during the COVID-19 pandemic.
This was an unannounced, targeted inspection of infection prevention and control. The visit took place on 23 December 2020, with inspection activity continuing until 05 January 2021.
Inspectors were assured that the home managed visitors, distancing, admissions, protective equipment, testing, hygiene and infection outbreaks safely. They also found that COVID-19 policies, risk assessments and care plans were in place.
The home was inspected but not rated. This report does not give an overall quality rating or ratings for most areas of care.
Regular testing
The home carried out regular COVID-19 testing for residents and staff in line with government guidance.
“The service completed regular COVID-19 testing for the people who use the service and staff in line with current government guidance.” from the report
Protective equipment
Staff were wearing gloves, masks, eye protection and gowns. Inspectors said this reduced the risk of infection spreading within the home.
“All staff within the service were wearing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) at all times, this included disposable gloves, face mask, eye protection and a full length disposable gown.” from the report
Clear safety information
Signs explaining COVID-19 symptoms and ways to keep people safe were displayed throughout the home.
“Clear signage was on display throughout the service in relation to the signs and symptoms of COVID-19 and how to keep yourself and others safe.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How often are residents and staff tested now, and how are positive results managed?
- 02Is all staff protective equipment still available and used in the way described in the report?
- 03How are residents' individual infection risks recorded and reviewed?
- 04How are visitors currently screened and supported to prevent infection spreading?
- 05What is the home's current plan for managing an infection outbreak?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control practices during the COVID-19 pandemic; it was not a full inspection of all five areas of care. This explanation was written from the published report of 10 February 2021 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, August 2019
Rated Good; inspectors found kind, person-centred care, with some records and night staffing due for review.
Inspectors made an unannounced visit over 18 and 20 June 2019. They spoke with people, relatives, staff and healthcare professionals. They observed care and checked care plans, medicines records, staff records, rotas and other documents.
The home was rated Good overall and Good in all five areas: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. People were described as very happy with the care. Inspectors found staff to be kind, respectful and skilled, with good support for health needs, activities and end of life care.
There were some areas to improve. Inspectors could not check all medicines because a stocktaking record had been mislaid. Some people reported waiting too long for staff at night. Some mental capacity records and dementia care plans needed to be more specific.
Kind and respectful care
People and relatives spoke positively about staff. Inspectors saw staff giving people time, protecting their dignity and encouraging independence.
“Staff were kind and caring towards the people who used the service and their relatives.” from the report
Good health support
Staff made prompt referrals to healthcare professionals and followed advice in people's care plans. Visiting professionals gave very positive feedback.
“People's healthcare needs were well managed.” from the report
Activities and relationships
People could take part in varied activities, follow their interests and use the gardens. Those who did not want group activities were not pressured to join in.
“There was a regular programme of activities and the three activity co-ordinators ensured there was something for people to do each day, including weekends.” from the report
Strong management systems
The new manager and provider had introduced regular audits, staff checks and meetings with people and relatives. Inspectors found that actions were followed up.
“There was a robust quality assurance system in place which gave the provider and manager excellent oversight of the service.” from the report
Medicines stocktaking
needs fixingInspectors could not check the balances of all medicines because the current stocktaking record had been mislaid while the system was being changed.
“Although we were able to check the balances of some medicines and found these to be accurate we could not do this for all medicines.” from the report
Night-time staffing
needs fixingFive people said they sometimes waited too long for staff at night. The manager said night staffing would be explored and reviewed if needed.
“Five people commented they sometimes had to wait too long for staff to attend to them at night.” from the report
Mental capacity records
needs fixingSome mental capacity assessments were generic rather than linked to a particular decision. The provider said these records would be reviewed.
“We noted some generic mental capacity assessments which were not linked to any specific decision.” from the report
Dementia care plans
minorSome care plans gave only limited guidance on supporting people with dementia when they became distressed. Staff knew people well and could explain how they supported them.
“Care plans contained only quite basic information about how staff should manage this behaviour and support them when this happened.” from the report
- 01What changes have you made to medicines stocktaking, and can you show how every medicine balance is now checked?
- 02What was the outcome of the review of night staffing and how do you monitor waiting times at night?
- 03How have you updated mental capacity assessments so that each one relates to a specific decision?
- 04How have you expanded care plans for people with dementia who may become distressed?
- 05Has the manager's application to become registered with the CQC now been completed?
This was an unannounced planned inspection covering all five key questions, and the previous provider's rating was used to help plan it. This explanation was written from the published report of 16 August 2019 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 Holmwood House Care Centre
Each visit the CQC has published, newest first, back to the day the home was registered.
- February 2021Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- August 2019GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- June 2018
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 13 June 2018.
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.