CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Orchard Court
Rated Requires improvement: inspectors found the home was not performing as well as it should and told it what to change.
What inspectors found, February 2022
Inspected but not rated; inspectors found visiting and infection controls largely in place, but some risks were not assessed consistently.
This was an announced, targeted inspection on 31 January 2022. Inspectors looked at infection prevention and control, visiting arrangements and whether staffing pressures affected care. There were 36 people living in the home, which can accommodate up to 43.
Inspectors found that people could receive visitors safely. Staff were vaccinated, took part in regular testing and used protective equipment in line with guidance. People and staff were also part of regular testing.
There were some weaknesses in laundry infection control and in assessing COVID-19 risks for staff who may be more at risk. The provider acted promptly after the inspection to address these points. The service was inspected but not rated, so this visit did not give a new overall quality rating.
Safe visiting
People were supported to receive visits from family and friends, with processes that followed national guidance.
“People were supported to have visitors and safe visiting processes were followed in line with national guidance.” from the report
Testing and protective equipment
Staff were vaccinated and regularly tested. They used protective equipment in line with current guidance.
“Staff were vaccinated and took part in regular testing. They wore personal protective equipment in line with current guidance to minimise risk of infections potentially spreading.” from the report
Prompt action
The provider acted after the inspection to address identified weaknesses in infection control and risk management.
“The provider took prompt action to address a number of areas where aspects of infection control practice, and risk management were not being assessed and monitored consistently.” from the report
Laundry infection control
needs fixingInspectors found concerns about infection control practices in the laundry. These were addressed immediately after the inspection.
“some areas of concerns were found in relation to the infection control practices within the laundry.” from the report
Staff risk assessments
needs fixingCOVID-19 risks were not always routinely assessed for staff who might be more likely to contract the infection. The provider completed these assessments after the inspection.
“Risks in relation to COVID-19 were not always routinely assessed for staff who may be disproportionately at risk of contracting the infection.” from the report
- 01What changes were made to the laundry after the inspection, and how are these changes checked now?
- 02How are COVID-19 risks assessed for staff who may be disproportionately at risk of infection?
- 03How do you check that visiting arrangements continue to follow current guidance?
- 04How often are people and staff tested, and what happens when a test result is positive?
- 05How do you monitor infection control practices across the home, not just in the laundry?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control, visiting arrangements and staffing pressures, rather than a full inspection of all areas of care. This explanation was written from the published report of 26 February 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, August 2019
Rated Good overall, but well-led was Requires Improvement while new managers worked to embed improvements.
Inspectors made an unannounced visit on 18 June 2019. They spoke with people, relatives, staff and other professionals. They reviewed care records, medicines records, staff files, training information and management records.
The home was rated Good for Safe, Effective, Caring and Responsive. People said they felt safe, staff were kind and respectful, staffing levels met their needs, and activities and support were suited to their interests.
The home was rated Requires Improvement for Well-led. A new management team had made significant improvements, but care records, risk assessments and some medicines records were still being reviewed. The inspectors said these improvements needed time to become embedded.
The overall rating improved from Requires Improvement at the previous inspection to Good. The report says the home was no longer in breach of the regulations.
Staffing and response
Staffing levels were consistently maintained, with plans to cover unexpected absences. People said staff responded promptly when they needed help.
“Records showed staffing levels were consistently maintained. Contingency plans were in place to cover staff absence at short notice.” from the report
Kind and respectful care
Staff treated people with dignity and respect. They offered choices and supported people to remain as independent as possible.
“Staff were mindful to respect people's privacy. We observed staff quietly talking to people when offering them assistance and asking permission before entering people's bedrooms.” from the report
Activities and relationships
People had activities linked to their interests, access to a secure outdoor area and support to keep in touch with relatives and friends.
“People living with dementia had opportunities to engage in activities that were meaningful to them.” from the report
Improving management
A new management team had made substantial improvements in a short time. Staff said communication and their involvement in decisions had improved.
“Effective leadership over a short period of time had improved communications between management and staff.” from the report
Care records and risk assessments
needs fixingSome risk assessments and care plans did not yet fully reflect people's current needs. The home was updating them.
“Some risk assessments were not reflective of people's current needs. The provider was in the process of updating these.” from the report
Medicine monitoring
needs fixingThe effectiveness of some medicines, including pain relief and medicines used for certain behaviours, was not always monitored or recorded.
“The effectiveness of some medicines had not always been monitored. For example, for pain relief or to help with certain behaviours.” from the report
Management systems not fully embedded
needs fixingThe new management team had made improvements, but inspectors found that leadership and management systems were still inconsistent.
“New management had made significant improvements which needed time to become embedded within the service.” from the report
Mental capacity records
minorSome mental capacity assessments and best-interest decisions did not record input from external health professionals, although the manager said professionals had been involved.
“Some mental capacity assessments and best interest decisions did not record input from external health professionals.” from the report
- 01How have you kept care plans and risk assessments up to date since the inspection?
- 02How do you now record whether pain relief and medicines used for behaviour are effective?
- 03What evidence shows that the new management team's improvements have become embedded?
- 04How are mental capacity assessments and best-interest decisions recorded, including professional input where needed?
- 05What further refurbishment and dementia-friendly changes have been completed?
This was a planned, unannounced comprehensive inspection covering all five CQC questions; the previous overall rating was Requires Improvement. This explanation was written from the published report of 8 August 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.
Every inspection of Orchard Court
4 rated inspections over 3 years: the service has improved, from Requires improvement to Good.
- February 2022Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- August 2019Goodup from Requires improvementSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Requires improvement
- October 2018Requires improvementdown from GoodSafe: Requires improvementEffective: Requires improvementCaring: GoodResponsive: Requires improvementWell-led: Requires improvement
- August 2017Goodup from Requires improvementSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- September 2016Requires improvementSafe: Requires improvementEffective: GoodCaring: Requires improvementResponsive: Requires improvementWell-led: Requires improvement
- October 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- November 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- July 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- April 2013
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 2 April 2013.
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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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”
“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.”
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.