CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Newland Hurst
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors were assured about most infection control arrangements, including visiting, testing, social distancing and managing outbreaks. They were only somewhat assured that PPE was being used effectively and safely.
- Effective?
- Good
- Does the care work? Training, consent, food and drink, working with GPs and nurses.
- Caring?
- Good
- Are people treated with kindness and dignity?
- Responsive?
- Good
- Is care built around the person? Care plans, activities, complaints.
- Well-led?
- Good
- Is the home run well? The manager, the culture, how problems get found and fixed.
What inspectors found, February 2022
Inspected but not rated; inspectors found most COVID-19 infection controls in place, but PPE was not always used in the safest way.
This was a targeted inspection on 20 January 2022. Inspectors looked at infection prevention, visiting arrangements and whether staffing pressures linked to COVID-19 were affecting care. The inspection was announced 24 hours in advance.
The home was experiencing its first COVID-19 outbreak. Inspectors found that visitors were checked, testing and vaccination were being promoted, and visits were supported. The home also used its indoor and outdoor spaces to help with social distancing and activities during restrictions.
Inspectors were not fully assured about how personal protective equipment was used. PPE was put on in residents' rooms because some residents removed it when it was left outside. The provider was signposted to information about using PPE safely.
The home was inspected but not rated. This means the report does not give an overall quality rating or full ratings for all five areas of care.
Visitor infection checks
The home carried out checks for visitors and inspectors were assured that visitors were being prevented from catching or spreading infections.
“We were assured that the provider was preventing visitors from catching and spreading infections.” from the report
Social distancing space
The home had large indoor and outdoor communal areas. These helped residents follow social distancing measures.
“Newland Hurst had spacious communal areas both indoors and outdoors which helped facilitate social distancing.” from the report
Testing and vaccination
The home supported regular testing and vaccination. It also met the requirement for non-exempt staff and visiting professionals to be vaccinated.
“The service was meeting the requirement to ensure non-exempt staff and visiting professionals were vaccinated against COVID-19.” from the report
PPE was not always put on safely
needs fixingPPE was stored and put on in residents' rooms because some residents removed it when it was kept outside. Inspectors said PPE should be put on before entering the room and signposted the provider to further information.
“To reduce the risk of spreading infection PPE should be put on before entering the room.” from the report
- 01How do staff put on PPE before entering a resident's room now?
- 02What action did the home take after being signposted to information about putting on and taking off PPE?
- 03How are visitors currently checked and supported to reduce the spread of infection?
- 04How does the home manage visits when there is an infection outbreak?
- 05How does the home support residents with activities during periods of isolation or restrictions?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control, visiting arrangements and COVID-19-related staffing pressures; the service was inspected but not rated and the other four questions were not assessed. This explanation was written from the published report of 1 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, December 2019
Rated Good; Newland Hurst provided safe, kind and person-centred care, but some mental capacity and care records needed improvement.
Inspectors visited on 7 and 12 November 2019. The first visit was unannounced. They spoke with people living at the home, relatives, staff and health and social care professionals. They also reviewed care, medicines, complaints, staff recruitment, incident and safety records.
All five areas were rated Good: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. Inspectors found that people were protected from abuse, supported to take medicines safely and helped to access healthcare, activities and the local community.
People were treated with kindness, dignity and respect. Staff knew people well and promoted independence. The home had a positive, person-centred culture, although two care plans and risk assessments were being updated and the approach to recording some mental capacity decisions was not consistent.
Kind and respectful staff
People and relatives described staff as kind and caring. Staff knew people well and supported their comfort and wellbeing.
“People were supported by staff who knew them well and were kind and compassionate.” from the report
Promoting independence
People were involved in everyday tasks and decisions. Staff supported them to build and maintain independent living skills.
“Staff helped people to maintain and develop their independence.” from the report
Meaningful activities
People took part in activities at the home and in the local community, including arts and crafts, exercise, farming and woodwork.
“Staff supported people to access a range of social and recreational activities, and to participate in their local community.” from the report
Safe medicines support
Staff were trained and checked for competence in medicines procedures. Records were accurate and guidance was available for medicines given when needed.
“Staff maintained accurate and up-to-date records in relation to the administration of people's medicines.” from the report
Mental capacity records
needs fixingThe manager acknowledged that mental capacity assessments and best-interests decisions were not recorded consistently for significant decisions. The report says procedures were to be reviewed as a priority.
“The registered manager acknowledged the need for a more consistent approach to recording mental capacity assessments and best-interests decision-making where people may lack capacity to make significant decisions.” from the report
Care records needed updating
needs fixingTwo people's care plans and risk assessments contained inaccurate information after their needs changed. The manager updated the records after the inspection, but families should ask how this is checked routinely.
“The registered manager had identified two people's care plans and risk assessments contained inaccurate information following recent changes in their care needs.” from the report
Home size
minorThe home was larger than current best-practice guidance for this type of service. Inspectors said the layout, design and staff dress helped reduce the negative impact on people.
“The service was a large home, bigger than most domestic style properties.” from the report
Staff communication
minorMost staff felt supported, but two staff members found the manager unapproachable at times and did not feel their opinions were valued.
“However, two members of staff found the registered manager unapproachable at times and did not feel their opinions were valued.” from the report
- 01How do you now make sure mental capacity assessments and best-interests decisions are recorded consistently?
- 02How are care plans and risk assessments checked and updated when someone's needs change?
- 03How do you make sure staffing levels and the staff skills mix remain suitable for each shift?
- 04How do people help decide which activities, meals and community opportunities are provided?
- 05How can people and relatives raise concerns, and how will they be kept informed about the response?
This was a planned two-day inspection covering the premises and care provided, with all five CQC key questions assessed; the first visit was unannounced and the second was arranged to complete the inspection. This explanation was written from the published report of 6 December 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 Newland Hurst
3 rated inspections over 4 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- February 2022Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- December 2019Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- May 2017Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- December 2015GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- October 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- November 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- January 2011
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 11 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.
Weigh the report against the rest
Fees, photos and reviews from families
How to read CQC ratings and reports
What to check when you visit
At least 100 live-in carers within about an hour of Worcestershire
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 £1,260 a week. 85 can care for a couple. 9 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.”
“She was very caring, kind and patient to all his needs, she built up a wondetful rapport with him, she was dedicated and was there for him through good times as well as through the tough times”
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.