CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Micron House
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors found good arrangements for infection prevention, PPE, testing, vaccinations, visiting and safe admissions. Some areas had wear and tear, with a renewal programme in place.
- Effective?
- Good
- This was not covered or rated in this targeted inspection.
- Caring?
- Good
- This was not covered or rated in this targeted inspection.
- Responsive?
- Good
- This was not covered or rated in this targeted inspection.
- Well-led?
- Good
- This was not covered or rated in this targeted inspection.
What inspectors found, March 2022
Inspected but not rated; inspectors found good COVID-19 infection controls, with some worn areas of the home being renewed.
This was an announced, targeted inspection on 17 February 2022. Inspectors gave the home 24 hours' notice.
They looked mainly at infection prevention and control, visiting arrangements and whether COVID-19 staffing pressures affected people. They found staff used protective equipment correctly, testing and vaccination were monitored, and people were admitted safely.
The home was visibly clean and had cleaning schedules. However, some areas showed wear and tear. A renewal programme was in place, and inspectors signposted the provider to resources to improve its approach.
The home was inspected but not rated. This means the inspection did not provide an overall quality rating.
Correct use of PPE
Staff had access to protective equipment and inspectors saw them using it correctly in line with government guidance.
“Staff had access to personal protective equipment (PPE) and were observed to wear this correctly and in accordance with current government guidelines.” from the report
Testing and vaccination checks
The home had a clear system for checking vaccination status and testing for staff and people living there.
“There was a clear process in place to monitor vaccination status and testing for staff and people at the service.” from the report
Support for visiting
People were supported to see loved ones, with visits arranged in places that were comfortable for the individual.
“Visitors were able to see their loved ones where it was most comfortable for the individual.” from the report
Safe admissions
Inspectors were assured that people were admitted safely to the home.
“We were assured that the provider was admitting people safely to the service.” from the report
Wear and tear
minorSome areas of the home had damage or deterioration linked to wear and tear. A renewal programme was in place, but inspectors signposted the provider to resources to improve its approach.
“However, we observed some areas of the home where the integrity was compromised due to wear and tear.” from the report
- 01Which areas were affected by wear and tear, and has the renewal programme now been completed?
- 02How are you currently monitoring staff vaccination status and COVID-19 testing?
- 03How do you manage staffing pressures when staff are absent because of COVID-19?
- 04How are visits arranged now, and can people see their loved ones in a place that is comfortable for them?
- 05What overall ratings did the home receive at its previous full inspection?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control, visiting arrangements and COVID-19-related staffing pressures; the home was inspected but not rated overall. This explanation was written from the published report of 10 March 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, July 2019
Rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and personalised care, with all five areas rated Good.
This was an unannounced planned inspection. One inspector spoke with four people, two staff and four relatives. The inspector also reviewed three care records and monitoring records, and gathered information from professionals and the provider.
People said they felt safe. Inspectors found enough staff, safe recruitment, suitable medicine arrangements and systems to manage risks, accidents and safeguarding concerns. Staff supported people to access healthcare and helped them make choices.
People described staff as kind and respectful. Care plans were detailed and up to date. The home had a complaints process, and inspectors found an approachable management team with systems to monitor quality and improve care.
The home was rated Good overall and Good in Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. It was also rated Good at the previous inspection, published in January 2016.
People felt safe
People said they felt safe, and staff understood how to protect people from abuse and manage risks to their wellbeing and independence.
“People spoken with told us they felt safe living at the home.” from the report
Kind and respectful care
People and families said staff were kind, respectful and attentive. Inspectors found that people were involved in decisions about their care.
“People and their families described the care staff as caring and kind.” from the report
Personalised support
Care plans described individual needs and preferences in detail. Staff knew people well and provided support tailored to them.
“People had care plans which highlighted individual needs and preferences and included detailed person- centred information.” from the report
Open management
Inspectors found clear leadership, staff support and systems for checking care quality. Families and staff could raise concerns with management.
“The provider had quality, auditing and monitoring systems in place which included competency checks on staff practice.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How will you assess and manage my relative's specific risks, including mobility and skin health?
- 02How will you make sure my relative receives the right medicines at the right time?
- 03How will you monitor my relative's eating and drinking, and when would you involve healthcare professionals?
- 04How will my relative and our family be involved in reviewing the care plan and raising concerns?
- 05How will you record and follow my relative's wishes about end-of-life care?
This was an unannounced inspection that looked at the overall service and all five CQC areas: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. This explanation was written from the published report of 6 July 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 Micron House
2 rated inspections over 3 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- March 2022Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- July 2019Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- January 2016GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- May 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- January 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- November 2011
Report published without a new overall rating.
- January 2011
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 31 January 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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At least 100 live-in carers within about an hour of Dudley
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 £1,230 a week. 88 can care for a couple. 10 years' experience on average.
“I have never met a person who is so kind and thinks about others before himself to such an extent as Chris Malagala.”
“Knowing Mum was in Corina's care made an enormous difference to us and we knew she was in safe hands.”
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