CQC report explained · a nursing home
What the CQC found at Kippingtons Nursing Home
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Requires improvement
- Most risks and medicines were managed safely, but one person's choking risks were not properly documented and a nurse did not wash their hands between administering medicines. The manager took action during the inspection.
- Effective?
- Good
- This area was not inspected during this focused visit. The previous rating was used when calculating the overall rating.
- Caring?
- Good
- This area was not inspected during this focused visit. The previous rating was used when calculating the overall rating.
- Responsive?
- Good
- This area was not inspected during this focused visit. The previous rating was used when calculating the overall rating.
- Well-led?
- Good
- Managers had effective quality checks and an improvement plan. People, relatives and staff described an open culture and said they could raise concerns.
What inspectors found, September 2022
Rated Good overall; inspectors found kind, well-led care, but the Safe rating was Requires Improvement because of gaps in choking risk planning and hand hygiene.
This was an unannounced focused inspection. Inspectors visited on 1 August 2022 and reviewed Safe and Well-led only. They spoke with people, relatives, staff and health professionals, observed care, and checked care, medicine, staff and management records.
The home was rated Requires Improvement for Safe. Most risks were managed safely, but one person at risk of choking did not have a suitable risk assessment or care plan. Inspectors also saw a nurse give medicines without washing their hands between people. The manager acted on both issues during the inspection.
The home was rated Good for Well-led. Inspectors found an open culture, good communication, effective audits and a plan to improve the service. The overall rating stayed Good, partly because ratings for the other areas were carried forward from the previous inspection.
Kind staff
People and relatives spoke positively about staff. They described staff as kind, patient and familiar with people's needs.
“People and their relatives gave positive feedback about the staff.” from the report
Medicines training
Nurses giving medicines were trained and assessed as competent. People said they received medicines at the right time.
“People received their medicines by nurses who were trained and competent to administer them safely.” from the report
Open management
People, relatives and staff felt able to make suggestions or complaints. Managers investigated concerns and kept people informed.
“The inspection was in part, prompted by concerns of a risk of a closed culture. We found the culture of the service to be open and inclusive.” from the report
Learning and improvement
The management team used audits, accident reviews and an improvement plan to identify and address shortfalls.
“Quality assurance processes were effective in identifying areas for improvement.” from the report
Family visiting
People could see relatives when they wished and could go out with them.
“We found people were able to see their loved ones when they wished, without restrictions.” from the report
Choking risk plan
seriousOne person at risk of choking did not have a suitable risk assessment and care plan. The manager made a referral and updated the records during the inspection.
“One person who was at risk of choking did not have a risk assessment and appropriate care plan to promote their safety when eating.” from the report
Hand hygiene during medicines
needs fixingInspectors saw a nurse administer medicines to different people without sanitising their hands between administrations. The manager spoke to staff and added hand sanitiser to the medicines trolley.
“We observed a staff member administering medicines to different people without sanitising their hands between administration.” from the report
Care records were hard to follow
needs fixingSome care plans, risk assessments and referrals were stored in different folders, making them difficult to follow. The management team had plans to move records to an electronic system.
“Care plans, risk assessments and referrals were difficult to follow due to them being in different folders.” from the report
- 01What changes have been made to ensure every person at risk of choking has a current risk assessment and care plan?
- 02How do you check that staff wash or sanitise their hands between giving medicines to different people?
- 03Have the care records been moved to the electronic system, and how do you make sure staff can find current risk assessments and referrals?
- 04What were the results of the increased hand hygiene spot checks promised after the inspection?
- 05How are you monitoring the safety of people who need modified food or help with eating?
This was a focused inspection of Safe and Well-led only; the other ratings carried over from the previous inspection. This explanation was written from the published report of 14 September 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, April 2021
Inspected but not rated; inspectors found good COVID-19 infection control and support for residents and visitors.
This was an announced, targeted inspection focused on infection prevention and control during the COVID-19 pandemic. Inspectors checked how the home used protective equipment, testing, cleaning, visiting arrangements and isolation plans.
Inspectors were assured that infection risks were managed. Staff and residents were regularly tested, protective equipment was available, the building was clean and uncluttered, and plans were in place to isolate people with COVID-19.
The home supported people to keep in touch with family and friends by telephone, online and through carefully arranged visits. Staff also supported people's wellbeing and activities. The service was inspected but not rated, so this report does not give a Good, Requires Improvement or Inadequate rating.
Family contact
Staff helped people keep in contact with family and friends by telephone, online and through visits designed to reduce infection risks.
“People were well supported by staff to have telephone and internet contact with their family and friends.” from the report
Visiting arrangements
Visitors were screened, asked to wash their hands and tested for COVID-19. Visits were arranged in ways intended to reduce infection spread.
“The staff facilitated in person visits in a manner which minimised the risk of infection spread, including outside visits, and visits using patio doors to a conservatory area.” from the report
Protective equipment and testing
Inspectors found that protective equipment was readily available and that staff and residents were regularly tested.
“The registered manager had good supplies of personal protective equipment that were readily available at stations throughout the service.” from the report
Clean environment
The home was clean and free from clutter, supporting the infection control measures inspectors reviewed.
“The building was clean and free from clutter.” from the report
Wellbeing and activities
People appeared relaxed and happy. Staff supported their wellbeing and provided stimulation through activities.
“Staff ensured people's well-being had been maintained and they had sufficient stimulation, such as activities supported by dedicated coordinators.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How are residents and staff currently tested for COVID-19 or other infections?
- 02How are protective equipment supplies checked and kept available throughout the home?
- 03How are visits currently arranged to reduce the risk of infection?
- 04What happens if a resident develops COVID-19, and how are they isolated?
- 05How are activities and contact with family and friends being supported now?
This was an announced, targeted inspection of infection prevention and control during the COVID-19 pandemic; it did not provide ratings for the other four questions or an overall rating. This explanation was written from the published report of 7 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.
Every inspection of Kippingtons Nursing Home
3 rated inspections over 6 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- September 2022Goodcurrent ratingSafe: Requires improvementEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- April 2021Inspected but not ratedSafe: Inspected but not rated
- March 2019Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodWell-led: Good
- July 2016GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- October 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- September 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- October 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- September 2013
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 2 September 2013.
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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