CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at 159a Station Road
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
What inspectors found, July 2019
Norwood - 159a Station Road was rated Good overall; inspectors found exceptionally responsive care, with a few records and care instructions needing attention.
This was an unannounced inspection on 13 March 2019. One inspector met all seven residents, observed daily care, meals and an activity, and spoke with staff, managers and relatives. The inspector also checked care records, medicines, training, complaints, accidents and quality checks.
The home was rated Good for Safe, Effective, Caring and Well-led. It was rated Outstanding for Responsive. Inspectors found people were safe, treated with kindness and supported to make choices, build independence and follow their religious, cultural and personal interests.
There were some small shortfalls. A bathroom had water that was too hot, some records about unexplained bruises were incomplete, and staff did not always follow one person's eating and drinking instructions exactly. These issues were raised during the inspection and the home said it would act.
The overall Good rating means the home met legal requirements and provided consistently good care. The previous inspection, published in March 2017, had also rated the home Good.
Personalised support
Care plans reflected individual needs and preferences. Staff changed plans when people changed their minds and supported them to stay in control of daily life.
“Staff showed a flexible approach to working with people,changing their plans when people changed their minds” from the report
Communication
Staff used Makaton, personalised signs, photographs and eye gaze technology to help people express choices and understand information.
“Staff supported people to communicate as well as they were able to, so that they could express their views.” from the report
Independence
People were taught practical skills and supported to take part in household tasks, work and personal activities rather than having things done for them.
“Staff ensured they did not do anything for people but always with them.” from the report
Cultural and religious support
The home supported Jewish religious and cultural practices, including synagogue visits, Shabbat and cultural events. Staff received training and specialist advice.
“The provider ensured staff, who were not Jewish, had a good understanding of people's cultural requirements” from the report
Family involvement
Relatives were regularly consulted and could share views through meetings and surgeries. Relatives told inspectors they were very happy with the service.
“Relatives told us that the service fully met people's needs and that the service engaged with them regularly.” from the report
Incomplete bruise records
needs fixingThe investigation and outcome of unexplained bruises were not always recorded on the relevant form. The provider acted immediately after inspectors raised this.
“The investigation and outcome of unexplained bruises was not always recorded on the form” from the report
Eating and drinking guidance
needs fixingStaff generally followed one person's speech and language guidance, but sometimes gave another mouthful before the person had finished the previous one. The manager said staff knowledge would be refreshed.
“on occasion not followed exactly as some staff did not wait for the person to finish their mouthful before giving them another.” from the report
Bathroom water temperature
minorWater in one bathroom was above safe temperatures. This was fixed on the day of the inspection.
“The water in one bathroom was above safe temperatures but this was fixed on the day of the inspection.” from the report
Hospital passport update
minorOne person's hospital passport did not include some recent health concerns. The manager said the information would be added once the diagnosis was confirmed.
“One person's hospital passport did not include some recent health concerns.” from the report
- 01How do you now check that each person's eating and drinking instructions are followed by every member of staff?
- 02How are unexplained bruises and the actions taken recorded and reviewed?
- 03Has the new manager started, and who is currently responsible for the home?
- 04How are hospital passports kept up to date when a person's health changes?
- 05How will you support my relative's religious, cultural and communication needs?
This was a planned inspection of the whole care home, including all five CQC areas, the premises and the care provided. This explanation was written from the published report of 4 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.
What inspectors found, March 2017
Rated Good; inspectors found safe food and medicines storage after earlier temperature-control problems were addressed.
This was an unannounced focused inspection on 27 February 2017. The inspectors checked whether the home had fixed problems found in August 2016. They looked at food and medicines storage and the related records.
The earlier inspection found that fridge and medicine storage temperatures were often too high, and that action had not been sufficient. At this visit, food and medicines were stored at safe temperatures. Records showed regular checks and safe temperatures being maintained.
The overall rating was Good, and the safe question was rated Good. This report only covers the safe question, so it does not provide new findings about care, effectiveness, responsiveness or leadership.
Safe food storage
Food was stored safely in new fridges and freezers. Temperatures were checked three times a day.
“Food was being stored at safe temperatures within fridges and freezers.” from the report
Medicines stored safely
Medicines cupboards and cabinets were secure, clean and organised, with safe temperatures maintained.
“These were all well-organised, clean, secure, and at appropriate temperatures to prevent medicines from deteriorating.” from the report
Improved medicine records
The duplicated recording system had been changed. Checks of medicine stock balances were recorded each weekend, with no discrepancies identified.
“Stock balances were on people's medicines administration records, and we saw that checks of the balances against remaining stock were recorded each weekend.” from the report
Earlier problems addressed
The provider had followed its action plan and met the legal requirements linked to the previous inspection.
“At this inspection, we found that the provider had followed their plan and legal requirements had been met.” from the report
Medicines fridge vents
minorThe vents at the back of the medicines fridge were partly blocked by nearby items. These items were moved during the inspection, and the home agreed to keep the vents clear.
“We noted that an ice pack was being used in support of that, and that vents at the back of this fridge were partially blocked by surrounding items.” from the report
- 01How often are fridge, freezer and medicines temperatures checked now?
- 02What action will staff take if a temperature is outside the safe range?
- 03How do you make sure the medicines fridge vents remain clear?
- 04How are medicine stock balances checked and recorded since the recording system was changed?
- 05Can we see the latest records showing that food and medicines have stayed at safe temperatures?
This was a focused inspection of Safe only, checking improvements after the August 2016 inspection; the other areas were not reassessed in this report. This explanation was written from the published report of 18 March 2017 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 159a Station Road
3 rated inspections over 3 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- July 2019Goodcurrent ratingstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: OutstandingWell-led: Good
- March 2017Goodstayed GoodSafe: Good
- October 2016GoodSafe: Requires improvementEffective: GoodCaring: OutstandingResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- November 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- April 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- November 2011
Report published without a new overall rating.
- December 2010
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 20 December 2010.
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 Barnet
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 £1,300 a week. 83 can care for a couple. 12 years' experience on average.
“The quality of life that she's given my parents has been priceless. The peace of mind she's given my sisters and I, through a very difficult time, has been invaluable.”
“Folasade is really kind, patient and respectful, has a fantastic sense of humour and such a positive outlook on life.”
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.