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CQC report explained · a residential care home

What the CQC found at Northgate House

Goodpublished 2 December 2023, 2 years ago

Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.

The five questions inspectors ask
Safe?
Good
People told inspectors they felt safe, and risks were assessed and managed. Medicines, staffing, infection control and safeguarding were found to be managed safely, but one environmental or equipment check did not follow legislation and some checks were not completed by an appropriately competent person.
Effective?
Good
People's needs and choices were assessed and care plans gave staff useful information. Staff were trained and supported, people received suitable food and drink, and they could access healthcare when needed.
Caring?
Good
Inspectors found that people were treated with kindness, compassion, dignity and respect. People and relatives were involved in care planning, and staff supported independence and personal choices.
Responsive?
Good
Care was personalised to people's needs, interests and communication styles. The home offered varied activities and responded to complaints and concerns in a timely way.
Well-led?
Good
Inspectors found a positive culture, supportive teamwork and a focus on learning and improvement. The governance framework was still being developed, but quality, risks and regulatory requirements were understood and managed.
The latest report, explained

What inspectors found, December 2023

Rated Good; inspectors found kind, personalised care, with some safety checks needing to be completed by a suitably competent person.

This was an unannounced inspection on 14 November 2023. One inspector spoke with people, a relative, staff and a visiting professional. They also reviewed care files, medicines records and management documents.

The home was rated Good in all five areas: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. Inspectors found people were safe, treated kindly and supported by staff who understood their needs and preferences.

There was usually enough trained staff. Medicines were managed safely, people received suitable food and healthcare, and activities were tailored to their interests. The home also supported people's choices, independence, privacy and dignity.

Inspectors found that some regular checks had not been completed by an appropriately competent person, and one check did not follow legislation. The provider acted immediately and was advised to review how all required checks are completed.

What inspectors praised
  • Kind and respectful care

    People were treated with kindness and compassion. Staff knew people's backgrounds and supported their privacy, dignity and independence.

    “People were very well-treated with kindness and compassion.” from the report
  • Personalised support

    Care plans included detailed information about people's physical, mental, emotional and social needs. Staff adapted support to individual preferences.

    “People received person-centred care which was responsive to their individual needs.” from the report
  • Good activities

    People were supported to follow their interests and take part in activities inside and outside the home. Activities were adapted to people's needs.

    “People were very well supported to follow their interests and hobbies.” from the report
  • Safe medicines and staffing

    Medicines were administered by trained staff, and people, relatives and staff said there was usually enough staff to keep people safe.

    “Medicines were administered safely by trained and competent staff.” from the report
  • Positive leadership

    Inspectors found a calm, friendly culture, supportive teamwork and a clear commitment to learning and improving care.

    “There was a strong learning culture in the home and an ethos of continuous improvement.” from the report
What inspectors were concerned about
  • Safety checks

    needs fixing

    Some checks had been completed regularly but not by someone with the right competence. One check also did not meet legal requirements. The manager took immediate action and was asked to review the process.

    “We recommend the provider reviews their understanding of all appropriate legislation and ensures all checks are completed as required.” from the report
  • Governance records still developing

    minor

    The governance framework was in place, but the manager had identified that some improvements were needed in how it was recorded.

    “The registered manager had identified improvements in the way this could be recorded.” from the report
Questions to ask them, based on this report
  1. 01Which safety check did not meet the legal requirements, and what immediate action was taken?
  2. 02Who now carries out the environmental and equipment checks, and how is their competence confirmed?
  3. 03What changes are being made to record and monitor the home's governance and quality checks?
  4. 04How would you tailor activities and daily routines to my relative's interests, communication needs and choices?
  5. 05How would you involve our family in care planning, reviews and any end-of-life decisions?

This was an unannounced inspection covering all five CQC questions, including the premises and care provided; it was the first inspection of this newly registered service. This explanation was written from the published report of 2 December 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.

The story over the years

Every inspection of Northgate House

3 rated inspections over 8 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.

  1. December 2023Goodcurrent rating
    Safe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good

    Read what inspectors found at Northgate House →

  2. December 2020Inspected but not rated
    Safe: Inspected but not ratedEffective: Inspected but not ratedCaring: Inspected but not ratedWell-led: Inspected but not rated
  3. July 2018Goodstayed Good
    Safe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
  4. April 2016Good
    Safe: GoodEffective: Requires improvementCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
  5. May 2022

    Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 31 May 2022.

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.

Next steps

Weigh the report against the rest

Care at home

16 live-in carers within about an hour of East Riding of Yorkshire

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 £1,030 to £1,420 a week. 14 can care for a couple. 7 years' experience on average.

“She was always 'just present enough': attentive, available, kind and engaging, but without ever over-stepping any boundary”
Beatrice N., about Rosemary H.
“What truly stands out is how mindful and attentive she is to all of my medical needs, always going above and beyond to ensure I’m comfortable and well cared for.”
Lucy K., about Emma H.
See live-in carers near East Riding of YorkshireProfiles, rates and reviews are free to look at.

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.