CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Home Meadow
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Requires improvement
- Inspectors found gaps in infection control monitoring, fluid monitoring and diabetes care plans. They found no evidence that anyone had been harmed, and the provider acted on the concerns during the inspection.
- Effective?
- Good
- This key question was not inspected during this visit. Its previous rating was carried forward when calculating the overall rating.
- Caring?
- Good
- This key question was not inspected during this visit. Its previous rating was carried forward when calculating the overall rating.
- Responsive?
- Good
- This key question was not inspected during this visit. Its previous rating was carried forward when calculating the overall rating.
- Well-led?
- Good
- Managers and staff were generally clear about their roles, people and relatives could raise concerns, and audits and incidents were reviewed. CQC still asked the provider to strengthen its infection control monitoring.
What inspectors found, September 2023
Rated Good overall, but inspectors found that some safety checks and care plans needed improvement.
Inspectors visited on three dates in July and August 2023. The inspection was unannounced and followed concerns about infection control and safeguarding. They spoke with people, relatives, staff and a healthcare professional, and reviewed care, medicines, staffing and management records.
People said they felt safe and relatives said their family members were safe and well cared for. Staffing, recruitment, medicines, incident reporting and safeguarding arrangements were found to be suitable. Staff also received training about falls, severe infections and health deterioration.
There were important gaps in safety monitoring. Fluid charts were not always reviewed properly, which meant people could be at risk of dehydration. Some diabetes care plans did not give staff enough accurate guidance. Infection control checks had also failed to identify some risks before a local authority visit.
The overall rating was Good. Safe was rated Requires Improvement, while Well-led was rated Good. The provider acted on the findings during the inspection, but CQC said further monitoring was needed.
People felt safe
People and relatives told inspectors they felt safe and well cared for. Staff said they knew how to report concerns.
“People told us they felt safe and well cared for by staff.” from the report
Medicines were managed safely
Medicines were given as prescribed by trained staff whose competence had been checked. Audits were carried out and people were satisfied with the process.
“Medicines were managed and administered safely by appropriately trained staff.” from the report
Enough staff
Staffing levels were assessed against people's needs. Recruitment checks, including DBS checks, were completed.
“Staff rotas evidenced the required staffing levels were planned for each shift.” from the report
Approachable management
People, relatives and staff said they could approach the manager with concerns. Suggestions and preferences were recorded and acted on.
“Staff and relatives told us they felt able to approach the registered manager with any concerns or questions.” from the report
Infection control checks
needs fixingThe provider's own monitoring had not identified some infection control risks before a local authority visit. CQC recommended better ongoing checks and quicker action.
“The provider needed to improve their review and response to risks and signs of infection.” from the report
Fluid monitoring
seriousFluid charts were not always completed at the end of each day. This could mean missed opportunities to support people whose fluid intake had fallen.
“People were at risk of dehydration due to insufficient monitoring.” from the report
Diabetes care plans
seriousSome diabetes care plans were inaccurate or lacked guidance about low or high blood glucose levels. This created a risk that people could receive unsuitable support.
“People with diabetes did not always have clear care plans in place.” from the report
- 01How are fluid charts now reviewed each day, and what happens if someone is not drinking enough?
- 02What changes have been made to diabetes care plans and staff training?
- 03How often are infection control audits completed, and who checks that identified problems are fixed promptly?
- 04What were the ratings for Effective, Caring and Responsive at the last comprehensive inspection?
- 05How will you show families that the improvements identified during this inspection have been sustained?
This was a focused inspection of Safe and Well-led; the other key question ratings were not inspected and were carried forward from the previous comprehensive inspection. This explanation was written from the published report of 14 September 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, February 2021
Inspected but not rated; inspectors found mostly good infection control, but communal furniture did not support social distancing.
This was an announced, targeted inspection on 9 February 2021. It looked at infection prevention and control during the coronavirus pandemic. The inspectors also reviewed policies and audit information sent by the provider.
Inspectors were assured about visitor checks, safe admissions, PPE, testing, cleaning, hygiene and plans for managing an outbreak. They also saw family video and telephone contact arrangements, and a safer way for relatives to visit people receiving end-of-life care.
They were only somewhat assured about shielding and social distancing because furniture in communal lounges and the dining room had not been separated. The manager said this would be improved.
The service was inspected but not rated. This report does not give an overall rating or ratings for the other areas of care.
Family contact
People could keep in touch with relatives and friends by video and telephone. Relatives' meetings were also held by video call.
“Video and telephone calls to family and friends were available to promote people's social well-being.” from the report
Safer end-of-life visits
A family member visiting someone at the end of their life could use the nearest entrance and exit, reducing contact with others in the home.
“This reduced the risk of them encountering staff and other people living at the home.” from the report
PPE arrangements
Staff changed into their uniform and put on and removed PPE before starting work. Lockers were available for their belongings.
“Staff changed into their uniform and put on and off their personal protective equipment (PPE) before starting work.” from the report
Cleaning
Inspectors found the home clean and observed frequent cleaning of areas such as handrails, chairs, tables and handles.
“A housekeeping staff member told us how they and their colleagues cleaned frequently touched areas such as handrails, chairs, tabletops, handles and furniture.” from the report
Social distancing
needs fixingFurniture in communal lounges and the dining room had not been separated to promote social distancing. The manager said improvements would be made.
“Furniture in the communal lounges and dining room had not been separated out to promote social distancing.” from the report
- 01Has the furniture in the communal lounges and dining room been rearranged to support social distancing?
- 02How are visitors currently checked before entering the home?
- 03How does the home use PPE and testing for staff and people living there?
- 04How would the home be divided into zones if an infection outbreak occurred?
- 05What video, telephone and relatives' meeting arrangements are currently available?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control during the coronavirus pandemic; the service was inspected but not rated and the other areas were not assessed. This explanation was written from the published report of 26 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.
Every inspection of Home Meadow
4 rated inspections over 8 years: the service has improved, from Requires improvement to Good.
- September 2023Goodcurrent ratingSafe: Requires improvementEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- February 2021Inspected but not ratedSafe: Inspected but not rated
- September 2018Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodWell-led: Good
- April 2016Goodup from Requires improvementSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- June 2015Requires improvementSafe: Requires improvementEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: Requires improvementWell-led: Good
- October 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- July 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- June 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- May 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- September 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- April 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- June 2011
Report published without a new overall rating.
- April 2011
Report published without a new overall rating.
- December 2010
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 23 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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17 live-in carers within about an hour of Cambridgeshire
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 £1,200 a week. 14 can care for a couple. 12 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.