CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Holmwood Residential Home
Rated Outstanding: inspectors found the home performing exceptionally well.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors were assured that infection prevention and control procedures were being followed. They were also assured about PPE, testing, social distancing, cleaning and outbreak management.
- Effective?
- Outstanding
- This report does not give a rating or findings for Effective.
- Caring?
- Outstanding
- This report does not give a rating or findings for Caring.
- Responsive?
- Outstanding
- This report does not give a rating or findings for Responsive.
- Well-led?
- Outstanding
- This report does not give a rating or findings for Well-led.
What inspectors found, December 2020
Holmwood Residential Home was inspected but not rated; inspectors found good infection control arrangements during the coronavirus pandemic.
Inspectors visited on 19 November 2020 as part of a coronavirus infection control review. The visit was announced and focused on how the home prevented and managed infections.
Inspectors were assured that the home followed safe infection prevention and control procedures. This included visitor arrangements, social distancing, admissions, personal protective equipment, testing, cleaning and managing possible outbreaks.
The home had wi-fi so residents could keep in touch with family and friends. Staffing had been increased for people staying in their rooms, and the building had been adapted for social distancing, including a visiting pod.
The service was inspected but not rated. This means the report does not give an overall quality rating or ratings for the other four key areas of care.
Infection control
Inspectors were assured that the home had arrangements to prevent and control infections, including safe use of PPE and access to testing.
“We were assured the service were following safe infection prevention and control procedures to keep people safe.” from the report
Clean environment
The home was clean and hygienic. It used specialist anti-viral cleaning equipment.
“The service was clean and hygienic. Specialist anti-viral cleaning equipment was used to good effect.” from the report
Keeping people connected
Residents could use wi-fi independently to keep in touch with family and friends.
“There was wi-fi throughout the service which people could use independently to keep in touch with family and friends.” from the report
Reducing isolation
Staffing levels were increased for people who chose to stay in their rooms. The home also created a visiting pod.
“Staffing levels had been increased to ensure people who chose to stay in their rooms did not become isolated.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01What infection prevention and control arrangements are in place now, and how have they changed since the 19 November 2020 inspection?
- 02How are visitors currently managed, including testing, PPE and social distancing?
- 03How do you support residents who choose to stay in their rooms so they do not become isolated?
- 04What is the current staffing level, and how does it change when residents need to remain in their rooms?
- 05Can you show us the home's current infection prevention and control policy and explain how outbreaks would be managed?
This was an announced thematic review focused on infection prevention and control in response to the coronavirus pandemic; it did not provide ratings for the other four key questions. This explanation was written from the published report of 4 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, May 2019
Rated Outstanding overall; inspectors found exceptionally caring, effective, responsive and well-led care, with safe care rated Good.
This was a comprehensive, unannounced inspection on 12 March 2019. Inspectors spoke with people living at the home, relatives, visitors, staff and a healthcare professional. They also observed care and checked care records, medicines, staff training, recruitment and quality checks.
The home was rated Outstanding overall. Effective, caring, responsive and well-led were all rated Outstanding. Safe was rated Good, meaning people were safe and protected from avoidable harm and legal requirements were met.
Inspectors found kind staff who knew people well, good support with food, drinks, medicines and healthcare, and a wide range of activities. People were involved in decisions, treated with dignity and supported to maintain relationships and independence.
The home was rated Outstanding overall at the previous inspection in 2016. Safe remained Good, while effective, caring and well-led remained Outstanding. Responsive improved from Good to Outstanding.
Kind and knowledgeable staff
Staff were highly trained, motivated and familiar with people's needs. Inspectors saw respectful interactions and support that helped people feel at ease.
“People were supported by highly motivated and caring staff who knew them well.” from the report
Choice and independence
People were involved in decisions about their care and daily life. Their privacy, dignity, independence and personal choices were respected.
“People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible.” from the report
Personalised activities
The home offered varied activities and outings, including exercise, themed days, gardening and community links. People could suggest activities and choose whether to take part.
“There was an excellent programme of activities which reduced the risks of people being lonely and isolated.” from the report
Good food and mealtimes
People had choices about food, drinks, where they ate and when they ate. Mealtimes were treated as social occasions, and staff supported people patiently with eating and drinking.
“Without exception, people were extremely complimentary about the food they were provided with.” from the report
Open and improving leadership
The management team used surveys, audits, incident reviews and feedback to monitor quality and make changes. Inspectors found an open culture involving people, relatives and staff.
“The service had systems to continuously monitor, assess and improve the service provided.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How would you assess and manage my relative's specific risks, such as falls, choking, pressure ulcers or poor nutrition?
- 02How do you make sure medicines prescribed to be taken as needed are offered and recorded correctly?
- 03How would you support my relative to choose activities and avoid becoming lonely if they preferred to stay in their room?
- 04How would you support my relative's dietary preferences, allergies, swallowing needs and choice about where and when to eat?
- 05How would you involve my relative and our family in planning care and making decisions about end-of-life wishes?
This was a comprehensive inspection covering the premises and care provided, with all five key questions assessed. This explanation was written from the published report of 1 May 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 Residential Home
2 rated inspections over 3 years: the service has held its Outstanding rating throughout.
- December 2020Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- May 2019Outstandingstayed OutstandingSafe: GoodEffective: OutstandingCaring: OutstandingResponsive: OutstandingWell-led: Outstanding
- August 2016OutstandingSafe: GoodEffective: OutstandingCaring: OutstandingResponsive: GoodWell-led: Outstanding
- October 2014
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 10 October 2014.
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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23 live-in carers within about an hour of Suffolk
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 £1,260 a week. 17 can care for a couple. 7 years' experience on average.
“Not only was she professional, polite and efficient but she bought a lovely smile and laughter to my parents home.”
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.