CQC report explained · a nursing home
What the CQC found at Horizon House
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- People were protected from abuse and avoidable harm, and staffing, recruitment, medicines and infection control were managed safely. Risk records did not always contain details of every action taken to reduce risks.
- Effective?
- Good
- People's needs were assessed, staff were trained and professionals worked well with the home. One DoLS application had not been requested when required, although action was taken to address this.
- Caring?
- Good
- Staff treated people with kindness, dignity and respect. People were involved in decisions and supported to maintain their independence.
- Responsive?
- Good
- Care was personalised and staff knew people's needs, preferences and relationships. Care records did not always clearly show the progress people had made towards their goals.
- Well-led?
- Good
- The home had an open culture, strong professional relationships and a wide range of audits. Feedback was used to monitor and improve the service.
What inspectors found, July 2022
Rated Good; inspectors found kind, safe and person-centred care, with some records needing improvement.
This was the first inspection since the home registered. Two inspectors visited without notice on 16 June 2022. They reviewed care, medicines, staffing and management records, toured the home and observed staff interactions. They also spoke with five staff and received views from four professionals. People using the service did not wish to speak with inspectors.
The home was rated Good in all five areas: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. Inspectors found people were safe, treated with kindness and supported by trained staff who knew their needs and preferences. Medicines, infection control, staffing and recruitment were managed safely.
There were some weaknesses in record keeping. Risk records did not always show every action taken to reduce risks, and care records did not clearly show people's progress towards their goals. Inspectors recommended that the home improve its recording in both areas. One DoLS application had also not been requested, but action was taken after this was found.
Kind and respectful staff
Staff adapted their approach to each person and supported privacy, dignity and independence. Inspectors saw meaningful conversations and respectful interactions.
“Staff treated people with compassion and kindness. They engaged in meaningful conversation with people and addressed people in their preferred way.” from the report
Safe medicines and staffing
Medicines were stored, given and recorded safely. Staffing levels were adjusted to people's daily needs and community activities.
“There was a sufficient number of staff on duty to meet people's needs. There was a person-centred approach to staffing levels.” from the report
Good professional teamwork
The home worked closely with health and care professionals and contacted them promptly when concerns or changes arose.
“The staff team had built strong working relationships with all professionals.” from the report
Positive management and oversight
The manager was described as open and supportive. Audits, feedback and shared learning were used to improve the service.
“A robust auditing system was used to monitor the quality and safety of the service provided.” from the report
Risk records were incomplete
needs fixingRecords did not always show all the actions taken to manage people's risks. Inspectors recommended that the home improve its risk management and recording.
“Records did not always contain details of all actions that had been taken to mitigate risks.” from the report
Care records did not show progress clearly
needs fixingPeople had goals and outcomes, but the records did not always evidence the progress they had made. The manager agreed to improve this.
“However, records did not clearly evidence progress people had made.” from the report
One DoLS application was missed
seriousInspectors found one case where an application had not been requested when a person was being deprived of their liberty. The home said this resulted from a communication error and took action to address it.
“We found one example where a DoLS had not been requested when a person was being deprived of their liberty.” from the report
- 01How have you improved the way you record every action taken to manage people's risks?
- 02How do you record and review progress towards each person's goals and desired outcomes?
- 03What checks now make sure any required DoLS applications are requested promptly?
- 04How are staffing levels adjusted when residents want to access the community or take part in activities?
- 05How will you keep relatives informed about changes in a person's care or support?
This was the home's first inspection and covered all five key questions, including infection prevention and control; people using the service did not speak with inspectors. This explanation was written from the published report of 29 July 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.
Every inspection of Horizon House
Each visit the CQC has published, newest first, back to the day the home was registered.
- July 2022Goodcurrent ratingSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- November 2020
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 30 November 2020.
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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28 live-in carers within about an hour of North Yorkshire
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 £1,010 to £1,290 a week. 27 can care for a couple. 12 years' experience on average.
“Carla has been a god send with the implementation of bringing mum back home from respite care.”
“She was always 'just present enough': attentive, available, kind and engaging, but without ever over-stepping any boundary”
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.