CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Kathryn Court
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
What inspectors found, April 2021
Kathryn Court: targeted inspection found infection prevention and control measures were in place, but the service was not rated.
Inspectors made an unannounced visit on 18 March 2021. This was a targeted inspection because of COVID-19 outbreaks in care homes. It looked only at infection prevention and control.
Inspectors were assured that visitors, new admissions, staff and residents were protected through screening, testing, PPE, social distancing, shielding, ventilation, hygiene and an up-to-date policy.
The home also used different ways to help residents keep in touch with family and friends. The inspection did not give an overall quality rating or a rated judgement for safety.
Visitor safety
Visitors were screened for symptoms of acute respiratory infection, and inspectors were assured that visitors were protected from catching and spreading infections.
“A visitor's protocol was in place which included screening for symptoms of acute respiratory infection.” from the report
PPE and hygiene
Staff followed PPE guidance. Signs about putting on and removing PPE and handwashing were displayed in the required areas.
“Staff were seen following the guidance regarding personal protective equipment (PPE) in relation to the Covid-19 pandemic.” from the report
Regular testing
Residents and staff were tested regularly, with testing frequency in line with current guidance.
“Staff and people at the service were tested regularly for COVID-19.” from the report
Family contact
Different communication methods were used to help residents stay in touch with family and friends.
“Various communication methods had been used to support people to remain in touch with family and friends.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How often are residents and staff tested for COVID-19 now?
- 02How do you screen visitors for symptoms before they enter?
- 03How do you make sure staff use PPE correctly and follow handwashing guidance?
- 04What communication methods are currently available for residents to keep in touch with family and friends?
- 05How do you manage infection risks when admitting someone new to the home?
This was an unannounced targeted inspection of infection prevention and control during the COVID-19 pandemic; it was not a full inspection and the service was not rated. This explanation was written from the published report of 14 April 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.
What inspectors found, April 2020
Kathryn Court was rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and personalised care, with the well-led rating falling from Outstanding to Good.
This was an unannounced, planned inspection on 09 March 2020. One inspector spoke with people, relatives, staff and a healthcare professional. They observed care and checked care records, medicines records, staff files and management records.
Inspectors found that people were safe and that there were enough suitably checked staff. Medicines, infection control and risks such as falls were managed. People received suitable food, healthcare and support from other professionals when needed.
Staff were described as kind and respectful. People and relatives were involved in care decisions, activities and complaints. The home had systems to monitor quality and make improvements. The overall rating stayed Good, but the well-led rating changed from Outstanding to Good.
Enough staff
Inspectors found enough staff to meet people's needs. Relatives and healthcare professionals also said staff were available when people needed help.
“There were enough staff available to meet people's needs.” from the report
Kind and respectful care
Staff knew people well and supported them with kindness, privacy and dignity. People were encouraged to remain independent and make choices.
“Staff were kind and caring when they supported people and gave emotional support when needed.” from the report
Personalised support
Care plans recorded people's preferences, communication needs and health risks. Staff could explain how they supported people as individuals.
“People's choices and preferences were reflected throughout their care records which was then used to plan the care they received.” from the report
End of life care
The home worked with families and healthcare professionals to provide comfort and respond to changing needs. Staff had training in end of life care.
“The service had worked with the GP, palliative care nurses and the person's family to ensure that their last days were made as comfortable as possible.” from the report
Acting on feedback
The manager used surveys and feedback to make changes. Inspectors noted that call bell response times had improved after checks were carried out.
“There was a noticeable improvement in the time it took for call bells to be answered.” from the report
Well-led rating fell
minorThe well-led rating changed from Outstanding at the previous inspection to Good. The report still found the home consistently managed and well-led, but it does not explain one specific reason for the change.
“At this inspection this key question has changed to good.” from the report
- 01How often will my relative's care plan and risk assessments be reviewed, and how will you involve our family?
- 02How will you support my relative's particular communication, dietary, dementia or healthcare needs?
- 03What activities and support are available for people who spend much of their time in their rooms or in bed?
- 04How quickly are call bells usually answered, and how is this monitored now?
- 05Why did the well-led rating change from Outstanding to Good, and what improvements are planned?
This was a comprehensive inspection covering Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led; the previous overall rating was Good, while the previous well-led rating was Outstanding. This explanation was written from the published report of 15 April 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.
Every inspection of Kathryn Court
3 rated inspections over 5 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- April 2021Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- April 2020Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- June 2017Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Outstanding
- November 2014GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- January 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- February 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- February 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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