CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Olive House
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- People were protected from harm with good infection control, safe medicine management, and enough well-trained staff.
- Effective?
- Requires improvement
- Care plans had improved but needed more consistent updating; the home was moving to electronic records to help.
- Caring?
- Good
- Staff were kind and respectful, treated people as individuals, and supported their choices and dignity.
- Responsive?
- Good
- People's needs were met with personalised care and activities, and complaints were handled properly.
- Well-led?
- Good
- The new manager was leading improvements, involving people and staff, and using audits to maintain quality.
What inspectors found, January 2023
Rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind care with improvements made since last inspection but some care plans need consistent updating.
Inspectors visited Olive House, a care home for older people including those with dementia, in November 2022. They looked at how well the home kept people safe, cared for them, met their needs, and was managed.
They found the home was clean and infection control was good, with plans to improve laundry facilities. People felt safe and well cared for by staff who knew them well. Medicines were given safely and staff were properly recruited and trained.
Care plans had improved but were not always updated consistently when people's needs changed. The home was moving to electronic records to fix this. People were supported to make choices and maintain independence.
The new manager had started recently and was working to improve the home. People, relatives and staff were involved and their feedback was listened to. Overall, the home had made good progress since the last inspection in 2019 when it needed to improve.
Infection control
The home had good systems to prevent infections and was following up-to-date policies.
“We were assured that the provider was preventing visitors from catching and spreading infections.” from the report
Kind and respectful staff
Staff treated people with kindness and respected their dignity and individuality.
“The staff are really kind to me, they take their time and listen to me.” from the report
Safe medicine management
Medicines were given safely by trained staff with clear records and regular checks.
“People were supported by staff who followed systems and processes to administer, record and store medicines safely.” from the report
Effective leadership
The new manager was actively improving the service and involving people and staff.
“The new manager introduced themselves to the staff group and spoke of developments planned.” from the report
Building needs upgrade
minorThe building was in need of some upgrades, though plans were in place to improve it.
“People were living in a purpose-built care home that was well designed for access, but was in need of upgrade. There were plans in place to address this.” from the report
- 01How does the home ensure care plans are kept fully up to date when a person's needs change?
- 02What are the plans and timescales for upgrading the building and laundry facilities?
- 03How does the home involve residents and relatives in decisions about care and improvements?
- 04Can you explain how medicines are managed safely here?
- 05What support is available to help residents maintain their independence and social connections?
This was a comprehensive inspection covering all key areas of care and management. This explanation was written from the published report of 12 January 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.
What inspectors found, April 2021
Olive House was inspected but not rated; inspectors found infection control failures that increased the risk of COVID-19 spreading.
This was an unannounced, targeted inspection on 16 February 2021. Inspectors looked at concerns about pressure care, hydration, staffing, environmental risks and infection control. They reviewed two care records, medicines records, cleaning records and premises safety. They also spoke with people, relatives and staff.
Inspectors found enough staff and found that risks around food, fluids and pressure areas were assessed and managed. However, a staff social event during COVID-19 restrictions increased the risk of infection spreading. The home had not carried out a risk assessment for the event.
Inspectors also found unlocked cleaning products and an unsecured laundry room containing chemicals and very hot water. The home removed the hazardous items and locked the door on the day of the inspection. The provider was given advice about infection control audits and cleaning records.
The home was inspected but not rated. The previous overall rating was Requires Improvement, published in November 2019. This targeted inspection did not assess the whole Safe question or the other key questions, so it did not change the ratings.
Staffing levels
Inspectors found enough staff to meet people's needs. The home used call bell audits to help check staffing levels and deployment.
“There were enough staff to meet people's needs. People and staff, we spoke with confirmed this.” from the report
Managing health risks
Risks relating to food, fluids and pressure areas were identified and responded to. Staff showed knowledge of how to manage these risks.
“Risks relating to nutrition, fluids, and pressure areas were identified and responded to.” from the report
Immediate action
The home acted on the environmental risks during the inspection. Hazardous items were removed and the laundry room was locked the same day.
“The hazardous items were removed, and a lock placed on the door on the same day.” from the report
COVID-19 infection risk
seriousA staff social event was held during COVID-19 restrictions without a risk assessment. CQC said this increased the risk of infection spreading and breached Regulation 12.
“This action had increased the risk of COVID-19 being spread.” from the report
Unsecured hazardous items
needs fixingPeople, including some living with dementia, could access a laundry room with chemicals and very hot water. Cleaning products and hand gel were also found unsecured around the home.
“This meant people living in the service, some of whom were living with dementia, could access an area which had chemicals and very hot water.” from the report
- 01What action have you taken to make sure staff social events follow current infection control restrictions and are risk assessed?
- 02How do you now check that chemicals, cleaning products, disinfectant wipes and alcohol gel are secured?
- 03What changes have you made to infection control audits and cleaning records since this inspection?
- 04How do you monitor staffing levels and respond if call bell audits show a problem?
- 05What evidence can you show that nutrition, fluid and pressure care risks are being reviewed and managed?
This was a targeted inspection of specific concerns about management of risks, staffing levels and infection control; it did not assess the whole Safe question or the other key questions, so the previous ratings carried over. This explanation was written from the published report of 15 April 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 Olive House
4 rated inspections over 7 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- January 2023Goodcurrent ratingSafe: GoodEffective: Requires improvementCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- April 2021Inspected but not ratedSafe: Inspected but not rated
- November 2019Requires improvementdown from GoodSafe: Requires improvementCaring: Requires improvementResponsive: Requires improvementWell-led: Requires improvement
- April 2017Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: Requires improvementCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- April 2016GoodSafe: GoodEffective: Requires improvementCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- May 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- February 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- October 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- December 2010
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 23 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
13 live-in carers within about an hour of Norfolk
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 £990 to £1,120 a week. 9 can care for a couple. 14 years' experience on average.
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.