CQC report explained · a nursing home
What the CQC found at Homelands Nursing Home
Rated Requires improvement: inspectors found the home was not performing as well as it should and told it what to change.
What inspectors found, August 2022
Homelands Nursing Home was rated Requires Improvement; inspectors found kind care but unsafe infection control and weak oversight of mask use.
This was an unannounced inspection on 13 July 2022. One inspector spoke with people, visitors and staff, and checked care, medicine, recruitment and management records.
The home was not consistently following infection control guidance. Some staff did not wear masks, or did not wear them properly. The manager was not aware of this at the time. The provider later assured inspectors that staff were following current guidance.
People told inspectors they felt safe and received kind, respectful care. Risks such as falls and pressure damage were assessed, medicines were managed safely, and there were enough staff. However, the overall rating fell from Good to Requires Improvement because Safe and Well-led were both rated Requires Improvement.
Kind and respectful care
People were treated with kindness and their privacy and dignity were respected. Staff understood people's needs and supported their choices.
“People received kind and compassionate care. Staff protected and respected people's privacy and dignity.” from the report
Risk assessments
The home assessed risks such as falls and pressure damage. Equipment and care plans were used to help reduce these risks.
“Where risks had been identified these had been assessed and actions were in place to mitigate them.” from the report
Safe medicines practice
Medicines were stored and given safely, with records and guidance in place. People were offered explanations and pain relief.
“People had medication administration records (MAR) detailing each item of prescribed medication and the time they should be given.” from the report
Masks were not used correctly
seriousSome staff did not wear masks or did not wear them properly. Inspectors said this increased the risk of people contracting COVID-19.
“Staff did not always wear a mask or wear a mask appropriately. This was contrary to government guidance and placed people at an increased risk of contracting COVID-19.” from the report
Insufficient management oversight
needs fixingThe provider and manager had not identified that staff were not following mask guidance. Inspectors said this area needed improvement.
“The provider and registered manager did not have oversight of staff practices in relation to PPE usage.” from the report
- 01How have you checked that all staff now wear masks correctly and follow current infection control guidance?
- 02What supervision or spot checks are now in place to identify problems with PPE use?
- 03What action would you take if a member of staff did not follow infection control guidance?
- 04How will you show families that the breach of Regulation 12 has been addressed?
- 05How can residents and relatives raise concerns or give feedback about infection control?
This was an unannounced inspection focused on Safe and Well-led, including infection prevention and control; the other key question ratings were not given at this visit and the overall rating used the inspected findings alongside the previous ratings. This explanation was written from the published report of 26 August 2022 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, December 2018
Homelands Nursing Home is rated Good; inspectors found kind, person-centred care and safe arrangements, with a minor laundry concern.
This was a comprehensive inspection on 23 and 30 October 2018. One inspector spoke with people, relatives and staff, observed care, and checked care records, medicines records, staff files, training, complaints, incidents and quality checks.
The home was rated Good in all five areas: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. Inspectors found suitable staffing, safe recruitment, individual care plans, trained staff, safe medicines practice and respectful care.
The home had improved its activities since the previous inspection, when this area required improvement. Two people and one relative said clothes were not always ironed. This was reported to the manager during the inspection.
Kind and respectful care
Staff were warm, patient and attentive. Inspectors saw them explain what they were doing, offer reassurance and protect people's dignity.
“Throughout our visit staff interacted with people in a warm and friendly manner.” from the report
Safe staffing and recruitment
Recruitment checks were completed, staffing levels were considered suitable, and staff responded quickly to people.
“Staff were recruited in line with safe practice and we saw staff files that confirmed this.” from the report
Good support with health and nutrition
People's food, drink, weight and health needs were monitored. The home made referrals to other professionals when needed.
“This demonstrated that staff were monitoring people and taking action to ensure that their needs were met.” from the report
Improved activities
The home had addressed the previous concern about activities. People had a range of activities and appeared engaged and occupied.
“At this inspection people were engaged and occupied; there was a calm atmosphere within the service.” from the report
Open management
There was a registered manager, clear responsibilities and regular checks of quality and safety. People and staff had opportunities to give feedback.
“The service had a positive culture that was open and friendly.” from the report
Laundry quality
minorTwo people and one relative said clothes were not always ironed. The manager said this would be looked into.
“They told us that their, "Clothes were not always ironed.” from the report
Occasionally rushed staff
minorOne person said staff were sometimes rushed, although they said this was not often and they generally received good care.
“Sometimes the staff are rushed, not often. We always get good care.” from the report
- 01What has changed in the laundry service since people reported that clothes were not always ironed?
- 02How do you check that staffing levels remain enough when the home is busy?
- 03How are activities chosen to reflect each person's likes, dislikes and interests?
- 04How do staff record and respond when a person says staff are sometimes rushed?
- 05How can families give feedback or raise a complaint, and how will they be told what action was taken?
This was a comprehensive inspection covering all five areas, and the home remained Good overall; Responsive had improved from the previous inspection. This explanation was written from the published report of 29 December 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 Homelands Nursing Home
4 rated inspections over 7 years: the service has held its Requires improvement rating throughout.
- August 2022Requires improvementcurrent ratingdown from GoodSafe: Requires improvementEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Requires improvement
- December 2018Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodWell-led: Good
- July 2016Goodup from Requires improvementSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: Requires improvementWell-led: Good
- August 2015Requires improvementSafe: Requires improvementEffective: GoodCaring: Requires improvementResponsive: GoodWell-led: Requires improvement
- May 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- October 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- March 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- December 2011
Report published without a new overall rating.
- December 2010
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 15 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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