CQC report explained · a nursing home
What the CQC found at Meadowcare Home
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors were assured about infection prevention and control, including PPE, testing, cleaning, social distancing and managing outbreaks. The provider also had measures to reduce the effect of COVID-19-related staffing pressures.
- Effective?
- Good
- This area was not covered by this targeted inspection.
- Caring?
- Good
- This area was not covered by this targeted inspection.
- Responsive?
- Good
- This area was not covered by this targeted inspection.
- Well-led?
- Good
- This area was not covered by this targeted inspection.
What inspectors found, February 2022
Meadowcare Home: targeted inspection found good COVID-19 infection control, but the service was inspected and not rated.
Inspectors visited on 8 February 2022. This was an announced, targeted inspection focused on infection prevention and control, and on whether COVID-19 staff pressures affected care.
Inspectors were assured that the home was managing visitors, testing, PPE, cleaning, social distancing and infection outbreaks. Staff had training in COVID-19 and PPE procedures. The home also had measures to manage staffing pressures.
At the time, the home was closed to most visitors because of a COVID-19 outbreak. Six relatives were essential care givers and could still visit. End-of-life visits were also supported.
The service was not given a quality rating. This report only records what inspectors checked during this targeted visit and does not rate the other areas of care.
Clear visitor checks
Visitors had temperature checks, wore PPE, took a lateral flow test and signed in. Inspectors observed relatives entering safely.
“There was a clear process for visitors, which included a temperature check and the wearing of PPE.” from the report
Good cleaning and layout
The home was cleaned regularly, checks were carried out, and furniture was arranged to support social distancing.
“The home was cleaned regularly and this was monitored through audits and checks.” from the report
Testing and PPE arrangements
Staff and residents took part in regular COVID-19 testing. Staff had training in recognising COVID-19 and using PPE safely.
“Staff had received training on the signs, symptoms and management of COVID-19.” from the report
Support for family contact
Essential care givers could visit during the outbreak. Phone and video calls were used when visits were not possible.
“Where people were isolating or not able to receive visitors, phone calls and video calls were utilised to promote contact with family and friends.” from the report
Most visits were paused during an outbreak
minorThe home was closed to visitors during the COVID-19 outbreak. Some relatives could still visit as essential care givers, and end-of-life visits were facilitated.
“At the time of the inspection the home was closed to visitors due to an outbreak of Covid.” from the report
- 01What is the current visiting policy, and what happens if there is an infection outbreak?
- 02How are essential care givers chosen and supported to visit during an outbreak?
- 03How often are residents and staff tested for infections, and how are the results recorded?
- 04How do you check that staff use PPE correctly and keep their training up to date?
- 05How do you make sure overtime does not leave staff overworked or affect care?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control and COVID-19-related staffing pressures; it did not rate the other areas of care. This explanation was written from the published report of 18 February 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, October 2021
Rated Good; inspectors found improved infection control, staffing and management systems, with no current regulatory breaches.
The inspection took place on 23 August 2021. One inspector spoke with managers, five staff, one resident and one relative, and later contacted four relatives. The inspector also observed care and checked records about medicines, risks, maintenance and quality checks.
The home had made significant improvements since the March 2021 inspection. Cleaning and infection control had improved, staffing levels had increased, and checks on quality and safety were stronger. Inspectors found people were protected from abuse and avoidable harm, medicines were managed safely, and staff recruitment checks were in place.
The overall rating was Good. Safe and Well-led were both rated Good. This was a focused inspection of those two areas only. Ratings for the other areas came from the previous comprehensive inspection.
Improved infection control
Cleaning arrangements had been increased and high-risk areas were cleaned throughout the day and night. Inspectors found better equipment, waste management and visiting arrangements.
“We were satisfied that people were protected by the home's infection prevention and control measures.” from the report
More staff
Staffing levels had been increased and were based on people's needs and the layout of the four-floor home. Relatives and staff generally felt there were enough staff.
“Since the last inspection the provider had increased staffing levels at the home. This helped to ease the pressure on the care staff.” from the report
Safe medicines and risk checks
Inspectors saw medicines being given in line with records. Medicine records were complete, and risk and equipment checks were being carried out.
“Medicine administration records had been fully completed.” from the report
Better management oversight
Audits had improved and actions from earlier checks were completed promptly. The provider and managers had stronger systems for finding and addressing problems.
“Effective quality assurance and monitoring systems had been embedded and were used to identify shortfalls and drive improvements.” from the report
Positive culture
People, relatives and staff described a more positive atmosphere. Staff said they supported each other and were encouraged to learn from incidents.
“Everybody we spoke with told us about the improved positive culture at the home over the past few months.” from the report
Manager registration
minorThe home did not have a manager registered with CQC at the time of the inspection. A new manager was being inducted and the home said they would register with CQC.
“The service did not have a manager registered with the Care Quality Commission.” from the report
- 01Has the new manager now registered with CQC, and who is responsible for the home if they are not available?
- 02How do you now calculate staffing levels when residents' needs change?
- 03How are infection control checks and cleaning maintained across all four floors?
- 04How do your medicine audits identify and correct any errors?
- 05What actions from the March 2021 inspection are still being monitored?
This was a focused inspection of Safe and Well-led only; the other ratings were carried over from the previous comprehensive inspection. This explanation was written from the published report of 5 October 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 Meadowcare Home
5 rated inspections over 6 years: the service has improved, from Requires improvement to Good.
- February 2022Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- October 2021Goodup from Requires improvementSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- April 2021Requires improvementdown from GoodSafe: Requires improvementWell-led: Requires improvement
- April 2018Goodup from Requires improvementSafe: GoodWell-led: Good
- January 2017Requires improvementstayed Requires improvementSafe: GoodEffective: Requires improvementCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Requires improvement
- July 2015Requires improvementSafe: Requires improvementEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Requires improvement
- March 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- January 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- December 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- July 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- April 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- May 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- August 2011
Report published without a new overall rating.
- March 2011
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 8 March 2011.
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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40 live-in carers within about an hour of Bristol, City of
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 £1,300 a week. 34 can care for a couple. 11 years' experience on average.
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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.