CQC report explained · a nursing home
What the CQC found at Orchid Care Home
Rated Outstanding: inspectors found the home performing exceptionally well.
What inspectors found, December 2020
Orchid Care Home was inspected but not rated; inspectors found safe staffing, medicines management and infection control, while the previous overall rating remained Good.
This was a targeted inspection on 9 December 2020. Inspectors checked specific concerns about staffing levels and medicines, rather than reviewing the whole service. They looked at records, spoke with people, relatives and staff, and followed up with the provider.
Inspectors found enough staff to meet people's needs. They found medicines were managed safely, risks were assessed and reviewed, and infection control measures were in place. People and relatives said the home felt well-led, and staff said they felt supported.
The inspection did not give new ratings. The previous overall rating was Good, from 27 November 2019, and this targeted inspection did not change it. The previous Safe rating was Good and the previous Well-led rating was Requires Improvement, but neither was reviewed fully.
Staffing levels
Inspectors found there were enough staff with the right skills to meet people's needs and keep them safe.
“Records confirmed there were enough staff to meet people's needs.” from the report
Medicines
Medicines were ordered, stored, given and disposed of safely. Records matched the medicines checked by inspectors.
“Medicines were managed safely. There were clear processes and systems to ensure they were ordered, stored, administered and disposed of safely.” from the report
Infection control
The home was clean and free from odours. Inspectors were assured that staff used protective equipment safely and that infection risks were managed.
“We were assured that the provider was using PPE effectively and safely.” from the report
Quality monitoring
The provider used audits and checks to monitor important areas, including medicines and staffing.
“The provider had quality assurance systems in place which were used effectively to monitor key aspects of the service.” from the report
No registered manager
minorThere was no registered manager in post at the time of the inspection. The manager had applied to register with the CQC.
“There was no registered manager in post. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service.” from the report
- 01Who is currently responsible for managing the home, and what is the progress of the manager's registration application?
- 02How do you check that staffing levels remain sufficient for people's needs on every shift?
- 03How are medicines that are given when needed monitored and reviewed?
- 04What improvements have been made since the previous Well-led rating of Requires Improvement?
- 05When is the next comprehensive inspection expected, and what areas will it cover?
This was a targeted inspection of specific concerns about staffing levels and medicines management, with limited review of Safe and Well-led; all five key questions will be assessed at the next comprehensive inspection. This explanation was written from the published report of 30 December 2020 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, November 2019
Rated Good overall; care was safe, effective, kind and responsive, but well-led was Requires Improvement while improvements were being embedded.
This was an unannounced inspection on 30 October 2019. Inspectors reviewed records, spoke with people, a relative and staff, observed care, and checked information from other professionals.
The home was rated Good for Safe, Effective, Caring and Responsive. Inspectors found enough staff, safe medicines practice, personalised care, staff training, kind treatment and support for people's choices and health needs.
Well-led was rated Requires Improvement. The provider had made clear progress since the previous inspection, but inspectors wanted to see that these improvements were firmly established and would last.
Personalised risk support
Risks were assessed in an individual way and staff understood how to keep people safe while respecting their freedom.
“Risks to people's health, safety and well-being were thoroughly assessed.” from the report
Improved staffing
Inspectors found enough staff to meet people's needs, and staffing arrangements had improved since the previous inspection.
“This had significantly improved staff's ability to support people in a safe and timely manner.” from the report
Kind and respectful care
Staff knew people's personalities and preferences. Inspectors saw patient, sensitive and supportive interactions.
“Staff knew people well, and were familiar with their personalities and preferences and treated them with kindness, gentleness and warmth.” from the report
Good care planning
Care plans included people's personal histories, interests, preferences and communication needs. They were updated when needs changed.
“People's care records contained details of their personal history, interests and known preferences to promote a person-centred approach.” from the report
Management improvements needed to last
needs fixingThe home had improved from its previous inspection, but inspectors could not yet be sure that the changes were firmly established and sustainable.
“This is because we need to ensure that the improvements made are well embedded into the service and that they are sustainable.” from the report
Activities for people in their rooms
needs fixingGroup activities were available, but some people who stayed in their rooms said they lacked social interaction. The manager said more one-to-one activities would be provided.
“I have not attended any activities and no one comes into my room to do any activities with me.” from the report
- 01How do you check that the management improvements found at this inspection remain in place?
- 02What one-to-one activities are now offered to people who stay in their rooms?
- 03How do you make sure staffing levels remain sufficient at busy times and when people’s needs change?
- 04How are relatives involved in reviewing care plans and decisions about daily choices?
- 05How do you monitor accidents, incidents and safeguarding concerns, and make changes after them?
This was an unannounced planned inspection covering all five CQC questions, following the previous Requires Improvement rating. This explanation was written from the published report of 27 November 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 Orchid Care Home
4 rated inspections over 2 years: the service has improved, from Requires improvement to Good.
- December 2020Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not ratedWell-led: Inspected but not rated
- November 2019Goodup from Requires improvementSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Requires improvement
- June 2019Requires improvementstayed Requires improvementSafe: Requires improvementWell-led: Inadequate
- December 2018Requires improvementstayed Requires improvementSafe: Requires improvementEffective: Requires improvementCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Requires improvement
- September 2017Requires improvementSafe: Requires improvementEffective: Requires improvementCaring: GoodResponsive: Requires improvementWell-led: Requires improvement
- September 2015
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 23 September 2015.
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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44 live-in carers within about an hour of Swindon
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 £1,280 a week. 34 can care for a couple. 12 years' experience on average.
“Linet became her carer and all changed, my daughter started eating, taking her medications and more important her happiness came back.”
“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.