CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at North Park
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors found enough staff, safe recruitment, suitable risk assessments and effective safeguarding arrangements. Medicines and infection control were also managed safely, although feedback about staffing levels was mixed.
- Effective?
- Good
- This question was not assessed in this inspection, so no rating was given.
- Caring?
- Good
- This question was not assessed in this inspection, so no rating was given.
- Responsive?
- Good
- This question was not assessed in this inspection, so no rating was given.
- Well-led?
- Good
- Inspectors found a positive culture, open communication, feedback arrangements and management audits. The home worked with external professionals and acted on suggestions for improvement.
What inspectors found, October 2022
North Park was rated Good; inspectors found people were safe, medicines were managed well and the home was well-led.
This was an unannounced inspection on 14 September 2022. One inspector and an Expert by Experience spoke with three people, eight relatives and five staff. They also reviewed care, medicines, recruitment, safety and management records.
The home was rated Good overall. Inspectors found enough staff to meet people's individual needs, safe recruitment, suitable risk assessments and effective safeguarding procedures. Medicines were administered and recorded safely, and infection control measures were in place.
People and relatives said they felt safe. Inspectors found the home clean, maintained and adapted to people's needs. The management team sought feedback, used audits and worked with outside professionals.
The Safe and Well-led ratings remained Good, as they were at the previous inspection published on 11 December 2019. This inspection did not assess the other three questions.
Safe medicines
Medicines were given as prescribed and records were clear and accurate. There was also guidance for medicines taken only when needed.
“People received their medicines as prescribed and at the right time.” from the report
Infection control
Inspectors were assured that the home had suitable arrangements for PPE, cleaning, admissions and managing infection risks.
“We were assured that the provider was making sure infection outbreaks can be effectively prevented or managed.” from the report
Positive culture
The management team promoted people's individuality and rights. Relatives described the atmosphere as calm and welcoming.
“The atmosphere within the home was relaxed and welcoming.” from the report
Learning from incidents
The manager reviewed accidents and incidents for patterns. Further measures were introduced when falls increased.
“Where trends were identified through analysis, action was taken by the registered manager.” from the report
Mixed views about staffing
minorInspectors found staffing levels were adequate, but they received mixed feedback about how well staffed the home felt. The manager gave assurances in response.
“However, we received mixed feedback regarding perception of staffing levels in the home and we raised this with the registered manager who gave assurances.” from the report
- 01How do you use the dependency tool to decide staffing levels when a person's needs change?
- 02What did you do in response to the mixed feedback about staffing levels?
- 03What additional measures were introduced after the increase in falls, and how do you know they are working?
- 04How are relatives' questionnaire responses and house meeting ideas turned into changes?
- 05How do you keep families informed about infection control arrangements and changes to guidance?
This was a focused inspection of Safe and Well-led, including infection prevention and control; the other three question ratings were not assessed in this inspection. This explanation was written from the published report of 5 October 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, March 2021
North Park was rated Good overall; inspectors found strong infection control, but Safe was inspected and not rated.
This was an announced, targeted inspection on 17 February 2021. It focused on infection prevention and control during the coronavirus pandemic.
Inspectors found systems to reduce the spread of infection. Visitors had to use protective equipment, show a recent negative COVID-19 test, complete a health declaration and have their temperature checked. The home also carried out extra cleaning.
Staff supported safe admissions, testing, distancing and shielding. They also supported people's social and emotional wellbeing and kept families updated. The overall rating was Good, but the Safe question was inspected and not rated.
Visitor infection controls
Visitors had to follow several checks before entering, including using protective equipment, showing a recent negative COVID-19 test and having their temperature checked.
“All visitors had to wear appropriate PPE, provide evidence of a current negative COVID-19 test, complete a health declaration form and have their temperature checked prior to entering the home.” from the report
Safe admissions
Staff followed national guidance for people moving into the home and worked with healthcare professionals on admission arrangements.
“Staff worked closely with healthcare professionals to ensure appropriate and safe admissions procedures were being followed.” from the report
Family communication
The home kept relatives informed about coronavirus guidance and their family member's health through regular contact.
“The provider and staff kept family members up to date about the latest guidance and their relative's health via regular telephone calls, letters and social media.” from the report
Staff training and support
Staff received support and extra training in infection prevention, including protective equipment and hand hygiene.
“All staff, including catering and housekeeping staff had undertaken additional training in infection prevention and control.” from the report
Cleaning and hygiene
Inspectors found additional cleaning of shared areas and frequently touched surfaces.
“Additional cleaning of all areas and frequent touch surfaces was being carried out.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How are visitors currently checked before entering, including testing, health declarations and protective equipment?
- 02What process is used now when someone moves into the home, including any isolation arrangements?
- 03How often are frequently touched surfaces and other areas cleaned?
- 04What infection prevention and control training have staff completed recently?
- 05How will you keep our family updated about changes to visiting guidance and our relative's health?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control during the coronavirus pandemic; the Safe question was inspected but not rated, and the report does not give fresh ratings for the other questions. This explanation was written from the published report of 6 March 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 North Park
5 rated inspections over 8 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- October 2022Goodcurrent ratingstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- March 2021Goodstayed GoodSafe: Inspected but not rated
- December 2019Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodWell-led: Good
- May 2017Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: Requires improvementCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- January 2015GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- November 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- October 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- January 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- February 2011
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 15 February 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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36 live-in carers within about an hour of Darlington
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 £970 to £1,230 a week. 35 can care for a couple. 11 years' experience on average.
“Petty introduced herself to Mum every time she was caring for her and responded very quickly to Mum if she was distressed in the night.”
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