CQC report explained · a nursing home
What the CQC found at Olive Tree House
Not yet rated: the CQC has not published a rated inspection for this home, which is usual for a new registration.
What inspectors found, February 2021
Olive Tree House: inspected but not rated; inspectors found good infection control during a COVID-19 outbreak.
This was a targeted, announced inspection on 12 January 2021. Inspectors looked only at infection prevention and control because the home was experiencing a COVID-19 outbreak.
The home had plans to support people during the outbreak. Two of the four floors were used for people with COVID-19, and people were supported to stay in their rooms. The home followed testing guidance, used PPE safely and kept the building clean.
There were controls for visitors, including temperature checks, PPE and a garden visiting pod. Visits had stopped because of the outbreak, except for people receiving end-of-life care. The service was inspected but not rated, so this report does not give an overall quality rating.
Outbreak planning
The home had put plans in place to separate people with COVID-19 and support people to isolate in their rooms.
“Plans in place to support people had been implemented effectively.” from the report
Visitor safety
The home had a visitor process with temperature checks, PPE and a specially designed visiting pod. Visits were paused during the outbreak, with an exception for end-of-life care.
“There was a clear process for visitors, which included a temperature check and the wearing of PPE.” from the report
Clean environment
Inspectors found the home clean, with cleaning taking place regularly throughout the day.
“We found the home to be clean with regular cleaning taking place throughout the day.” from the report
PPE and testing
Staff had infection control training and used PPE in line with current guidance. The home also followed an enhanced testing regime during the outbreak.
“Staff had received training about good practice for infection prevention and control, including how to don and doff personal protective equipment (PPE) safely.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01What are the current visiting arrangements, and when would visits be restricted during an outbreak?
- 02How would my relative keep in contact with family if visits were stopped?
- 03How are people supported if they need to isolate in their room?
- 04How often are residents and staff tested during an outbreak?
- 05How do you check that staff are using PPE correctly?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control during a COVID-19 outbreak; the service was inspected but not rated and the other areas of care were not assessed. This explanation was written from the published report of 6 February 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.
What inspectors found, October 2017
Rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and personalised care, with a few minor points about meals and records.
This was an unannounced inspection on 10 and 11 August 2017. It was the first inspection since the home registered in July 2016. Inspectors spoke with people, relatives, staff and health professionals. They observed care and checked care files, staff records, medicines, policies and quality checks.
The home was rated Good in all five areas: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. Inspectors found enough staff, safe medicines arrangements, suitable training and good support from health professionals. People were treated with kindness and respect, and care plans reflected their individual needs.
Inspectors also found a wide range of activities and regular opportunities for people and relatives to give feedback. They noted some differing views about the quality and suitability of tea-time meals. They also suggested dating thank-you cards and updating a medicines policy that still referred to previous legislation.
Safe staffing and medicines
The home monitored staffing levels and adjusted them according to people's needs. Inspectors found medicines were ordered, stored, administered and recorded safely.
“There were sufficient staff on duty at all times to ensure people's needs were met and they were safe.” from the report
Kind and respectful care
Staff were seen speaking kindly to people and protecting their dignity and privacy. People were supported to make choices about their care and daily life.
“During the inspection, all staff were seen to interact with people in a kind and compassionate manner.” from the report
Personalised care
Care plans were detailed and based on people's individual needs, preferences and wishes. They were reviewed regularly and changed when needs changed.
“The plans were person centred and it was evident the person or their representatives had been involved in making decisions about their care and how they were supported.” from the report
Activities and social contact
The home arranged group activities, one-to-one sessions, visits from entertainers and regular trips. Activities could be changed to reflect what people wanted.
“The programme consisted of quizzes, crosswords and word searches, poetry sessions and sing-a-longs, armchair exercise, men's club, church service and a book club.” from the report
Good monitoring
The provider used regular checks and audits to review safety and quality. These included medicines, falls, care records, nutrition, accidents and infection control.
“The provider had a programme of audits in place to check on the quality and safety of the service.” from the report
Tea-time meals
needs fixingTwo relatives said tea-time meals were repetitive and not suitable for someone with swallowing difficulties. This differed from the mainly positive feedback inspectors received during the visit, and the concern was shared with the management.
“They told us they were not satisfied with the quality of the tea time meals, saying they were "boring and repetitive" and "not appropriate for someone with difficulty swallowing".” from the report
Dating thank-you cards
minorThe home had received many positive thank-you cards, but inspectors suggested adding dates to show when they had been received. This was a minor record-keeping point.
“We would suggest that the registered manager date these cards to show when they had been received.” from the report
Medicines policy
minorInspectors found that the medicines policy still referred to previous legislation. The report does not say this caused harm, but the policy needed updating.
“We pointed out to the registered manager that previous legislation was still referred to in the medicines policy.” from the report
- 01How have you responded to the concerns about tea-time meals being repetitive or unsuitable for people with swallowing difficulties?
- 02How do you check that meals and drinks match each person's dietary and swallowing needs?
- 03Has the medicines policy been updated to refer to the current legislation?
- 04How are staffing levels adjusted when people's care and support needs change?
- 05How will you involve me in reviewing my relative's care plan and changes to their needs?
This was an unannounced first inspection covering all five CQC questions; the domiciliary care part of the registration was not supporting anyone at the time. This explanation was written from the published report of 6 October 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 Olive Tree House
Each visit the CQC has published, newest first, back to the day the home was registered.
- February 2021Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- October 2017GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- July 2016
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 22 July 2016.
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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39 live-in carers within about an hour of South Gloucestershire
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 £1,020 to £1,280 a week. 32 can care for a couple. 11 years' experience on average.
“She was very caring, kind and patient to all his needs, she built up a wondetful rapport with him, she was dedicated and was there for him through good times as well as through the tough times”
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.