CQC report explained · a nursing home
What the CQC found at Newstone House
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- People were protected from abuse and avoidable harm, and individual and environmental risks were managed. Medicines were generally given safely, but inspectors found one missed dose and gaps in some medicines guidance and records.
- Effective?
- Good
- People's needs were assessed before admission and care was delivered by trained and competent staff. People had access to food, drink, healthcare and support with decisions about their care.
- Caring?
- Good
- People were treated with kindness, dignity and respect. Staff involved people and their relatives in care decisions and supported independence.
- Responsive?
- Outstanding
- Care was highly personalised. People had a wide choice of activities, regular one-to-one support, help to maintain relationships and exceptional support at the end of life.
- Well-led?
- Good
- The home had clear management arrangements, regular audits and action plans. Managers involved people, relatives and staff in improvements and worked with health professionals.
What inspectors found, February 2023
Newstone House was rated Good overall, with Outstanding personalised activities and end-of-life care, but some medicines records needed improvement.
This was the first inspection since the service registered under the current provider. It was unannounced and took place on 01 November 2022 and 08 November 2022. Inspectors spoke with people, relatives, staff and health professionals, and reviewed care, medicines, staffing and management records.
Inspectors found that people were safe, treated kindly and supported by trained staff. Risks were assessed and reviewed, the home was clean, and people received enough food, drink and healthcare. However, one medicine dose was missed, some guidance for medicines taken when needed was not person-centred, and some eye drops were not dated when opened.
The home was exceptionally responsive to people's interests, relationships, beliefs and end-of-life wishes. There was a wide programme of activities, including individual sessions, community trips and support to fulfil personal wishes. End-of-life care was rated outstanding.
The overall rating of Good means inspectors found the home consistently met the expected standards. Responsive care was rated Outstanding. Safe, Effective, Caring and Well-led were each rated Good.
Meaningful activities
The home offered a varied programme based on people's interests, pastimes, beliefs and wishes. People could join group activities, receive one-to-one visits or take part in trips and community events.
“There was an extensive and varied programme of activities that met people's individual needs.” from the report
End-of-life care
Staff knew people's end-of-life wishes and worked hard to provide comfort, dignity and emotional support. Families were also supported during this time.
“People received outstanding care at the end of their lives.” from the report
Kind and respectful staff
Inspectors observed warm interactions and found that people were treated as individuals. Relatives and people said staff were kind, friendly and respectful.
“People were treated with kindness and respect.” from the report
Risk management
Care records identified individual risks and the support needed to reduce them. Changes in people's health and risks were identified and referrals were made promptly.
“Changes in people's risks were promptly identified and referrals to health care professionals were made to seek additional support in a timely manner.” from the report
Staff training and support
Staff received induction, training, supervision and competency checks. The home also provided specialist dementia training.
“People were cared for by staff who were well trained and competent within their roles.” from the report
Medicines records
needs fixingOne dose was missed on the inspection day. Guidance for some medicines taken when needed was not always personalised or present, and some eye drops were not dated when opened.
“However, we found one dose that had been missed on the day of our inspection.” from the report
Use of agency staff
minorStaffing levels met people's needs, but some people found agency staff less consistent and said they had to explain their needs again. There were also reported communication and language difficulties with some agency staff.
“The biggest issue is consistent staff. There are a lot of agency and you have to tell them things you need.” from the report
Food management
needs fixingThe management team had identified food management as an area for improvement. They had started meetings, supervision and plans for an audit.
“The management team had identified the food management at the home was an area which they could improve on.” from the report
Call bell access
needs fixingManagers were working with staff to ensure enough staff carried pagers and that people who could use a call bell had access to one at all times.
“During the inspection the management team were working with staff to ensure enough staff were carrying pagers and that people who could use one had access to a call bell at all times.” from the report
- 01What action has been completed to prevent missed medicine doses?
- 02How do you make sure guidance for medicines taken when needed is personalised and available for every medicine?
- 03How do you provide continuity of care when agency staff are used?
- 04What changes have been made to food management following the inspection?
- 05How do you ensure people who need one have access to a call bell at all times?
This was the first comprehensive inspection of the newly registered service and covered all five key questions, including infection prevention and control under Safe. This explanation was written from the published report of 4 February 2023 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 Newstone House
4 rated inspections over 8 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- February 2023Goodcurrent ratingSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: OutstandingWell-led: Good
- March 2021Inspected but not ratedSafe: Inspected but not rated
- April 2020Outstandingup from GoodSafe: GoodEffective: OutstandingCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Outstanding
- June 2017GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- September 2015Inspected but not ratedEffective: Requires improvement
- May 2015GoodSafe: GoodEffective: Requires improvementCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- August 2021
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 9 August 2021.
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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Most charge £1,040 to £1,340 a week. 11 can care for a couple. 10 years' experience on average.
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