CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Holmwood Rest Home
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
What inspectors found, June 2023
Inspected but not rated; inspectors found major improvements in management systems, but the home's previous Requires Improvement rating remains.
This was an unannounced targeted inspection on 31 May 2023. One inspector spoke with two people and two staff members, observed care, and checked records, audits, policies and procedures.
The inspection focused on whether the home had met a warning notice about its governance systems. Inspectors found significant improvements. Leadership was clearer, audits were in place, and policies were comprehensive and up to date.
Inspectors were assured about infection prevention and control, including the use of protective equipment, cleanliness, visits and managing possible outbreaks.
This inspection did not cover every part of the service. It did not change the previous overall Requires Improvement rating. The home was inspected but not rated, and a full inspection is planned for the future.
Improved management systems
The home had introduced audits and clearer oversight to monitor safety and quality. Inspectors said these improvements were effective.
“Significant improvements had been made with the governance systems and oversight of the home.” from the report
Clearer leadership
Leadership was visible, and the management team understood its roles and regulatory responsibilities.
“Leadership was clear within the home.” from the report
Up-to-date policies
Policies and procedures were comprehensive and current, and staff could access them when needed.
“Policies and procedures were comprehensive and up to date.” from the report
Infection control
Inspectors were assured that the home was managing infection risks, protective equipment, visits and possible outbreaks appropriately.
“We were assured that the provider was using PPE effectively and safely.” from the report
Listening to people
The home sought feedback through meetings, group discussions and one-to-one conversations, and used this to make improvements.
“The registered manager used the outcomes to drive continual improvements within the home.” from the report
Previous rating still applies
needs fixingThe home remains Requires Improvement overall because this targeted inspection did not reassess the whole service. The earlier Safe and Well-led ratings were also not reviewed in full.
“The overall rating for the service has not changed following this targeted inspection and remains requires improvement.” from the report
- 01What improvements have been made since this inspection to address the previous Requires Improvement rating?
- 02When will the next full inspection take place, including a full review of Safe and Well-led?
- 03How are the new audits checked and how are any problems acted on?
- 04How do you use feedback from people living here to make changes?
- 05What were the issues behind the previous Safe rating of Requires Improvement and Well-led rating of Inadequate?
This was a targeted inspection of the previous Regulation 17 warning notice and infection control; it did not assess the full key questions, so the earlier overall Requires Improvement rating remains. This explanation was written from the published report of 8 June 2023 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 2023
Overall rating remains Requires improvement; this targeted inspection was not rated but found improvements in safety, medicines and people's rights.
Inspectors made an unannounced, targeted visit on 08 March 2023. They spoke with two people and three staff, observed interactions and checked risk, care and medicines records. They also checked infection prevention and control.
The visit followed warning notices about safe care and treatment and consent. Inspectors found enough improvement in risk assessments, medicines management and Mental Capacity Act practice. They said the home was no longer in breach of Regulations 11 and 12.
This was not a full inspection. The previous overall rating of Requires improvement remains. Safe and Effective were inspected but not rated, and other areas were not assessed during this visit.
Risk management
Risks to people's wellbeing and safety had been identified and reviewed. Staff knew the risks and the steps needed to reduce harm.
“Risks to people's wellbeing and safety were identified, assessed and steps put in place to reduce the risk of harm.” from the report
Medicines safety
Medicines were stored at safe temperatures and administration records were legible. Staff had received additional training and pharmacy arrangements had improved.
“Medicines administration records were in place and legible.” from the report
Respecting rights
Staff had improved their understanding of consent and capacity. Capacity assessments were linked to specific decisions and best-interests decisions were recorded.
“The home had made improvements and people's rights were respected.” from the report
Infection control
Inspectors were assured that infection prevention measures, personal protective equipment and arrangements for visitors and outbreaks were working effectively.
“We were assured that the provider was responding effectively to risks and signs of infection.” from the report
Not a full reassessment
minorThe inspection only followed up specific warning notices and did not assess every area of the service. The previous Requires improvement rating therefore remains.
“Targeted inspections do not change the rating from the previous inspection.” from the report
- 01What improvements have been made in the areas not covered by this targeted inspection?
- 02How are risk assessments reviewed when a person's needs or circumstances change?
- 03How do you check that medicines remain available, stored safely and administered correctly?
- 04How do you record capacity assessments and involve relatives and professionals in best-interests decisions?
- 05When is the next comprehensive inspection expected, and what further improvements are planned?
This was an unannounced targeted inspection of specific concerns under Safe and Effective, with infection control also checked; it did not assess the whole key questions or the Caring, Responsive and Well-led areas. This explanation was written from the published report of 17 March 2023 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 Rest Home
3 rated inspections over 6 years: the service has held its Requires improvement rating throughout.
- June 2023Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not ratedWell-led: Inspected but not rated
- March 2023Inspected but not ratedSafe: Inspected but not ratedEffective: Inspected but not rated
- January 2023Requires improvementdown from GoodSafe: Requires improvementEffective: Requires improvementCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Inadequate
- December 2017Goodup from Requires improvementSafe: GoodEffective: GoodWell-led: Requires improvement
- July 2016Requires improvementSafe: Requires improvementEffective: Requires improvementCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- June 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- December 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- September 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- January 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- November 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- September 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- December 2010
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 16 December 2010.
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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