CQC report explained · a nursing home
What the CQC found at Linden House
Rated Outstanding: inspectors found the home performing exceptionally well.
- Safe?
- Good
- People felt safe and there were enough staff to meet their needs. Inspectors found suitable safeguarding, recruitment, medicines, risk assessment and emergency arrangements.
- Effective?
- Outstanding
- Staff had specialist knowledge of dementia and received training, supervision and support. People received suitable food and drink, healthcare support and help that respected their legal rights.
- Caring?
- Good
- People and relatives described staff as kind and compassionate. Inspectors found that privacy, dignity, independence and people's involvement in care were respected.
- Responsive?
- Outstanding
- Care was highly personalised and adapted to people's changing needs. People could choose from a wide range of activities, including community activities, and complaints were handled promptly.
- Well-led?
- Good
- People and relatives felt the home was well run and approachable. Quality and safety were monitored, although the registered manager had left and another manager was covering while a replacement was appointed.
What inspectors found, November 2017
Rated Outstanding; inspectors found highly personalised dementia care, strong activities and good safety, with an interim management arrangement at the time.
This was an unannounced comprehensive inspection on 19 and 20 September 2017. Inspectors spoke with people living at the home, relatives, staff and health professionals. They also checked care plans, medicines, recruitment records and management records.
The home was rated Outstanding overall. Effective care and responsiveness were rated Outstanding. Safe, caring and well-led were rated Good. Inspectors found people felt safe, staff were kind and skilled, and care was personalised around people's needs and choices.
The home had strong dementia expertise, including an Admiral Nurse. Inspectors saw varied activities, community links, suitable surroundings and detailed care plans. The previous inspection in June 2015 rated the home Good in all areas, so the overall rating had improved.
Specialist dementia support
The home had specialist dementia expertise and used training to help staff understand how people experienced dementia. An Admiral Nurse supported staff, people and families.
“Staff were extremely skilled and knowledgeable about how to care for people living with dementia.” from the report
Personalised care
Care plans gave detailed information about people's routines, health needs, communication and preferences. Staff knew people well and adapted their approach.
“People experienced care that was personalised and care plans contained detailed daily routines specific to each person.” from the report
Meaningful activities
People could choose activities suited to their interests and abilities. The home also created links with local groups and community projects.
“People had a range of activities they could be involved in.” from the report
Kind and respectful staff
Inspectors saw positive relationships and unhurried support. Staff protected privacy and dignity and encouraged people to remain as independent as possible.
“We observed caring behaviour in staff interactions with people, which demonstrated person-centred care in their familiarity with each person, and the ease of communication.” from the report
Safe care arrangements
Inspectors found enough staff, suitable recruitment checks and good systems for medicines and managing risks.
“There were sufficient staff to meet people's care needs.” from the report
Registered manager had left
minorThe registered manager was no longer at the home during the inspection. A manager from another home was covering while a replacement was being appointed.
“At the time of our inspection the registered manager had left the service and a new manager was in the process of being appointed.” from the report
- 01Has a new registered manager been appointed since the inspection, and who is responsible for the home now?
- 02How is dementia training kept up to date for new and existing staff?
- 03How will you use the person's life history, routines and preferences to plan their care?
- 04Which activities and community links are currently available, and how can the person choose what to join?
- 05How will you keep the family informed about changes in health, medicines or care needs?
This was an unannounced comprehensive inspection covering all five key questions; the previous June 2015 inspection had rated all areas Good. This explanation was written from the published report of 16 November 2017 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. The report was longer than we could read in one go; the later sections may not be reflected.
Every inspection of Linden House
2 rated inspections over 2 years: the service has improved, from Good to Outstanding.
- November 2017Outstandingcurrent ratingup from GoodSafe: GoodEffective: OutstandingCaring: GoodResponsive: OutstandingWell-led: Good
- July 2015GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- March 2014
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 24 March 2014.
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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26 live-in carers within about an hour of Hampshire
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 £1,020 to £1,260 a week. 23 can care for a couple. 14 years' experience on average.
“I cannot recommend Prisca highly enough, she is one in a million.”
“He stayed with her throughout the pandemic, refusing to visit his own family, who lived nearby, to reduce the risk of infection.”
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.