CQC report explained · a nursing home
What the CQC found at Kingsway 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, April 2021
Kingsway Nursing Home was inspected but not rated; inspectors were assured about infection prevention and control measures.
This was an announced, targeted inspection on 18 March 2021. It focused on how the home was prepared to prevent and control COVID-19 infections.
Inspectors were assured that visitors were screened, visits were arranged safely, and people were admitted safely. They also found suitable supplies of personal protective equipment, regular testing, good hygiene and up-to-date infection control policies.
The home was clean and tidy. Inspectors also found that the home supported people's emotional wellbeing through telephone and video calls, activities and themed events.
The service was inspected but not rated. This report does not provide an overall quality rating or ratings for most of the five questions.
Safer visiting
Visits could take place in areas that did not require relatives to enter the main building. Visitors were screened for COVID-19.
“Relatives could book visits in the home's visiting pod or conservatory, both of which could be accessed without entering the main building.” from the report
PPE and staff practice
The home had adequate PPE supplies. Staff were observed using PPE correctly and had training in putting it on, removing it and disposing of it safely.
“Staff had completed training in how to safely put on, take off and dispose of PPE.” from the report
Clean environment
Inspectors found the home clean and tidy. Cleaning had increased during the pandemic, with wipes available for equipment.
“The home was clean and tidy throughout. The provider had increased cleaning during the pandemic.” from the report
Emotional wellbeing
The home supported contact with family and friends and arranged activities to help maintain people's morale.
“People were encouraged to have regular telephone and video contact with friends and family.” from the report
Infection control checks
The home had up-to-date infection control policies and carried out regular checks of its arrangements.
“The provider had up to date infection prevention and control (IPC) policies and procedures in place.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How do you continue to screen visitors and arrange visits safely?
- 02How often are staff checked on their PPE use and hand-washing practice?
- 03How often are infection prevention and control audits carried out, and what did the most recent audit find?
- 04How do you manage testing and safe admissions for new residents?
- 05How do you support residents to keep in contact with family and friends?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control measures during the COVID-19 pandemic; it did not provide a full rating of the service. This explanation was written from the published report of 2 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, December 2019
Rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and personalised care, with some concerns about night staffing and dignity.
This was a planned inspection on 25 and 26 November 2019. One inspector, a nurse adviser and an Expert by Experience spoke with people, relatives and staff. They observed care and checked care, medicines, recruitment and management records.
All five areas were rated Good: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. Inspectors found that people felt safe, staff understood their needs, medicines were managed safely and people received personalised care. People enjoyed the food, activities were available and complaints were handled appropriately.
The home had also been rated Good at the previous inspection in June 2017. The Caring rating had fallen from Outstanding to Good. Inspectors identified some issues with one person's meaningful interaction and dignity, loud walkie-talkies, a gap in residents' meetings and concerns about how busy staff could be overnight.
Safe medicines management
Inspectors found that medicines were managed safely and records were complete.
“Medicine records were complete with no unexplained gaps.” from the report
Kind and respectful staff
People and relatives said staff were caring. Staff knew people's individual needs and supported their independence.
“Staff knew people's individual needs and respected their wishes.” from the report
Personalised care
Care plans focused on each person. People and relatives were involved in planning and changes were made when requested.
“People's support plans were very person centred. The person was put at the heart of the planning process.” from the report
Activities and community links
People could take part in varied activities, care for animals and visit local shops and a café.
“People had opportunities to take part in a wide range of activities.” from the report
Quality monitoring
Management and the provider completed audits and sought feedback from people, relatives and staff.
“A range of audits were completed by the management team and provider to monitor the quality and improve standards.” from the report
Meaningful interaction and dignity
needs fixingInspectors observed one person going a long time without meaningful staff interaction. They also found that the person's dignity was not always maintained.
“However, an observation showed one person went a long time without any meaningful staff interaction and their dignity was not always maintained.” from the report
Loud communication equipment
minorWalkie-talkies were very loud and did not support a calm, homely atmosphere. Management said this would be addressed with staff.
“However, these were very loud and did not aid a relaxed, homely atmosphere.” from the report
Gap in residents' meetings
minorNo meeting for people living at the home had taken place since April 2019. Management arranged one for the week of the inspection.
“Records showed a meeting for people living at the service had not taken place since April 2019.” from the report
- 01What changes have been made to night staffing since inspectors heard that staff could be very busy overnight?
- 02How do you make sure every person receives regular meaningful interaction and that their dignity is maintained?
- 03What action was taken about the loud walkie-talkies?
- 04How often are meetings held for people living in the home, and how are their views acted on?
- 05Has the new manager now registered with the CQC?
This was a planned inspection covering all five CQC questions, including the premises and the care provided; all five ratings were given. This explanation was written from the published report of 21 December 2019 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 Kingsway Nursing Home
4 rated inspections over 5 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- April 2021Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- December 2019Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- August 2019Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodWell-led: Good
- June 2017Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: OutstandingResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- May 2015GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- May 2015
Report published without a new overall rating.
- March 2015
Report published without a new overall rating.
- February 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- February 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- May 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- April 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- January 2012
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 10 January 2012.
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.
Weigh the report against the rest
Fees, photos and reviews from families
How to read CQC ratings and reports
What to check when you visit
47 live-in carers within about an hour of County Durham
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 £960 to £1,210 a week. 42 can care for a couple. 10 years' experience on average.
“Petty introduced herself to Mum every time she was caring for her and responded very quickly to Mum if she was distressed in the night.”
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.