CQC report explained · a nursing home
What the CQC found at Meadowbrook House
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors were assured that infection risks were being managed, including PPE, testing, cleaning, visiting, admissions and outbreak procedures.
- Effective?
- Good
- This was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
- Caring?
- Good
- This was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
- Responsive?
- Good
- This was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
- Well-led?
- Good
- This was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
What inspectors found, April 2021
Meadowbrook House was inspected but not rated; inspectors found well-managed infection control during a COVID-19 outbreak.
This was an announced, targeted inspection on 9 March 2021. It focused on infection prevention and control because the home had experienced a COVID-19 outbreak.
Inspectors found good arrangements for PPE, testing, cleaning, visiting, isolation and separating people who had tested positive from those who had not. Staff also worked with health professionals so people could receive suitable care and equipment.
The home was inspected but not rated overall. Safe was also inspected but not rated. The other four areas were not assessed in this inspection.
Clear communication
During the outbreak, the registered manager regularly explained the safety measures to people, staff and families.
“During this time the registered manager had communicated with people, staff and families regularly to ensure everyone understood the measures put in place to help keep people safe.” from the report
Strong infection control
The home had PPE supplies, regular cleaning and clear procedures to reduce the spread of infection.
“The service was clean, hygienic and uncluttered in appearance.” from the report
Access to healthcare
The home worked with health professionals and the local authority to monitor people who were unwell and arrange suitable care and equipment.
“The registered manager had worked closely with external healthcare professionals to enable people to have access to the appropriate health care and equipment, for example oxygen if needed.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01What infection control arrangements are in place now, including PPE, testing and cleaning?
- 02How would you manage a new COVID-19 outbreak, and how would people and families be kept informed?
- 03How are people separated or supported if they show symptoms or test positive?
- 04How can families visit safely, and is the separate visitor lounge now available?
- 05What ratings or more recent inspection information cover caring, effectiveness, responsiveness and leadership?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control under Safe; the other four areas were not assessed and no overall rating was given. 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, September 2019
Rated Good after major improvements; inspectors found safe, kind and personalised care, with some staff vacancies and agency cover.
This was an unannounced inspection on 30 August 2019. The inspection team spoke with people, a relative, staff and managers. They reviewed care and medicines records, complaints, accidents, recruitment, training and quality checks.
The home was rated Good in all five areas: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. Inspectors found enough staff to meet people's needs, safe medicines practice, accurate care plans, good infection control and kind interactions.
The home had improved since its previous inspection in August 2018, when it was rated Requires Improvement and breached regulations. Inspectors found the earlier concerns had been addressed and the provider was no longer in breach.
Safe medicines
Medicines were given safely and on time. Staff had training, competency checks and effective audits.
“Medicine systems and processes were in place. People received their medicines safely and on time.” from the report
Kind relationships
Inspectors saw staff spending time with people and responding to their comfort and choices. People were treated with dignity and respect.
“We observed many kind and caring interactions between people and staff.” from the report
Personalised care
Care plans were up to date and gave staff clear instructions about people's needs, preferences and routines.
“Care plans provided staff with clear, up to date and effective guidance and direction.” from the report
Meaningful activities
People were supported to follow individual interests, go out locally and take part in activities that mattered to them.
“Two people had a specific interest in fishing.” from the report
Improved management
The provider had acted on the previous inspection findings. Audits and management systems were being used to identify and make improvements.
“The registered manager and the staff had worked hard to make improvements to the service since the last inspection.” from the report
Staff vacancies and agency cover
needs fixingThere were staff vacancies and some shifts needed agency staff. Short-notice agency cancellations had caused stress for some staff, although inspectors found enough staff to meet people's needs.
“There were staff vacancies at the time of this inspection and some shifts required agency staff to cover them.” from the report
- 01How many staff vacancies are there now, and how often are agency staff used on the shifts that would care for my relative?
- 02How do you make sure agency staff understand each person's care plan, preferences and risks?
- 03How are medicines that are needed only occasionally recorded and checked?
- 04What activities are available that match my relative's interests, mobility and communication needs?
- 05How are changes in my relative's health, weight or care needs identified and shared with their family and healthcare professionals?
This was an unannounced re-inspection following the previous Requires Improvement rating, and all five quality questions were rated again. This explanation was written from the published report of 17 September 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 Meadowbrook House
3 rated inspections over 2 years: the service has improved, from Requires improvement to Good.
- April 2021Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- September 2019Goodup from Requires improvementSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- September 2018Requires improvementstayed Requires improvementSafe: Requires improvementEffective: Requires improvementCaring: GoodResponsive: Requires improvementWell-led: Requires improvement
- July 2017Requires improvementSafe: GoodEffective: Requires improvementCaring: GoodResponsive: Requires improvementWell-led: Requires improvement
- December 2016
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 22 December 2016.
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
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10 live-in carers within about two hours of Cornwall
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 £980 to £1,200 a week. 8 can care for a couple. 12 years' experience on average.
“He had been a little anxious before she arrived, but has since stated that he would be very happy for her to care for him again”
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.