CQC report explained · a nursing home
What the CQC found at Holmwood Nursing Home
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors were assured that infection risks were being managed, including visitor checks, testing, protective equipment, cleaning, social distancing and outbreak procedures.
- Effective?
- Good
- This question was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
- Caring?
- Good
- This question was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
- Responsive?
- Requires improvement
- This question was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
- Well-led?
- Good
- This question was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
What inspectors found, March 2021
Holmwood Nursing Home was inspected but not rated; inspectors found strong infection-control arrangements during the pandemic.
This was an announced, targeted inspection on 17 February 2021. Inspectors checked how the home was preventing and controlling infection during the coronavirus pandemic.
Inspectors were assured that the home was managing visitors, social distancing, admissions, protective equipment, testing, cleaning and possible outbreaks safely. Staff changed into their uniforms when they arrived, and infection-control training and checks were in place.
Visits were normally closed, but controlled visits were arranged for people receiving end of life care. Each person had a visiting risk assessment and plan, including options such as window visits, phone calls and video calls.
The service was inspected but not rated. This report does not give an overall quality rating or ratings for most of the five questions.
Controlled end of life visits
The home had a process for allowing controlled visits for people receiving end of life care, with testing, temperature checks and protective equipment.
“Although currently closed to normal visits, the home had a robust process in place for facilitating controlled visits for people receiving end of life care.” from the report
Individual visiting plans
Each person had a risk assessment and plan for keeping in touch with relatives. This included window visits, phone calls and video calls.
“Each person had an individual visiting risk assessment and plan which assessed the most appropriate way for people to communicate with their relatives” from the report
Infection-control training
Staff had training in infection control, protective equipment and hand washing. Infection-control champions carried out checks on hand washing and protective equipment.
“Staff had completed infection control, PPE and hand washing training.” from the report
Cleaning arrangements
Cleaning schedules had been updated so that frequently touched areas were cleaned regularly throughout the day.
“Schedules had been updated to ensure frequent touch points, such as handles and handrails, were sanitised regularly throughout the day.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01What visiting arrangements are in place now, and how do you support relatives when normal visits are not possible?
- 02How do you check that staff are using protective equipment and washing their hands correctly?
- 03How often are frequently touched areas such as handles and handrails cleaned?
- 04How do you test people using the service and staff for infection?
- 05What is the home's most recent full CQC rating and inspection report?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control during the coronavirus pandemic; it was not a full inspection and the service was inspected but not rated. This explanation was written from the published report of 13 March 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, March 2018
Holmwood Nursing Home was rated Good overall; inspectors found safe, kind care, but care records needed updating and Responsive was Requires Improvement.
Inspectors made an unannounced visit on 4 January 2018. They spoke with people living in the home, relatives, staff and managers. They also observed daily care and checked care records, staff files and management records.
The home was rated Good for Safe, Effective, Caring and Well-led. Inspectors found enough staff, safe medicines procedures, suitable training, kind relationships and effective checks on quality.
Responsive was rated Requires Improvement. Some care records contained old and conflicting information, which could make it difficult for staff to find the most up-to-date guidance. The manager had started reviewing and updating the records.
The home had improved since the previous inspection. The two earlier breaches, about consent and good governance, had been resolved. Further improvement was still needed in Responsive.
Enough staff
Inspectors saw enough staff on duty and found that call alarms were answered efficiently. People and relatives also said staffing levels were sufficient.
“There were enough staff available to ensure people's needs were met.” from the report
Kind relationships
People and relatives spoke very positively about staff. Inspectors saw calm, respectful support and staff responding sensitively when people became upset.
“Positive and supportive relationships had been developed between people, their relatives, and staff.” from the report
Activities and food
People had choices at mealtimes and their dietary needs were considered. The home offered activities such as reminiscence, crafts and exercises.
“There was a range of activities available to people living at Holmwood Nursing Home.” from the report
Improved management checks
The home had systems for checking care quality, medicines, infection control, falls and the environment. Earlier concerns about governance had been addressed.
“We found improvements had been made in this area.” from the report
Care records were not fully up to date
needs fixingSome records included old and conflicting information about people's support needs. This could make it harder for new staff to find the correct current guidance.
“People's care records needed updating to reflect their current care and support needs.” from the report
Supervision and appraisals had fallen behind
minorBefore the new manager started, staff had not received supervision and appraisals in line with the home's own procedure. Plans were in place to catch up.
“Prior to the current manager starting we saw staff had not received supervision and appraisals in the line with the service's own procedure.” from the report
- 01How many people's care records have now been reviewed and updated?
- 02How do you prevent old or conflicting information from being followed by staff?
- 03How often will my relative's care record be reviewed with them and their family?
- 04Have all staff now received the supervision and appraisal meetings that were planned?
- 05What activities are available for someone with my relative's interests and abilities?
This was an unannounced inspection covering all five key questions and checking progress since the previous inspection on 15 August 2016. This explanation was written from the published report of 4 March 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 Holmwood Nursing Home
2 rated inspections over a year: the service has improved, from Requires improvement to Good.
- March 2021Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- March 2018Goodup from Requires improvementSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: Requires improvementWell-led: Good
- October 2016Requires improvementSafe: GoodEffective: Requires improvementCaring: GoodResponsive: Requires improvementWell-led: Requires improvement
- October 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- February 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- January 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- October 2011
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 31 October 2011.
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.
Weigh the report against the rest
Fees, photos and reviews from families
How to read CQC ratings and reports
What to check when you visit
90 live-in carers within about an hour of Sheffield
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 £1,020 to £1,270 a week. 76 can care for a couple. 11 years' experience on average.
“Carla has been a god send with the implementation of bringing mum back home from respite care.”
“Beatrice was a talent dementia carer whose professionalism and dedication allowed mums wishes to remain in her own her come true.”
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.