CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Orford House Residential Care Home
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
What inspectors found, January 2022
Inspected but not rated; inspectors were assured about most infection-control measures, but clinical waste bins were overfilled and unlocked.
This was an announced, targeted inspection on 13 January 2022. The CQC gave the home 24 hours' notice.
The inspection focused on infection prevention and control, visiting arrangements, and whether COVID-19 staffing pressures affected care. Inspectors were assured about visitor screening, testing, personal protective equipment, social distancing, safe admissions and outbreak arrangements.
There was one shortfall. Clinical waste bins outside the home were overfilled and not locked. The provider said the waste was collected the next day and that extra security and storage arrangements would be put in place.
Visitor safety
The home used screening, temperature checks and testing for visitors. It also provided video calls, visiting pods, window visits and garden visits.
“The provider was following best practice guidance to prevent visitors to the home spreading COVID-19 infection.” from the report
Use of protective equipment
Inspectors saw staff following personal protective equipment and social distancing guidance.
“Our observations during the inspection confirmed staff were adhering to PPE and social distancing guidance.” from the report
Safe admissions and testing
The home described testing people when they arrived and isolating new residents in line with its arrangements.
“The provider informed us that as soon as the service users arrive, they perform a lateral flow test in the car park” from the report
Clinical waste storage
needs fixingClinical waste bins outside the home were overfilled and not locked. The provider said the waste was collected the day after inspection and that a second bin and a secure door would be arranged.
“The clinical waste bins outside the service were overfilled and were not kept locked;” from the report
- 01Has the secure door for the clinical waste storage area now been installed?
- 02Is the second large clinical waste bin now in use, and how do you prevent bins becoming overfilled?
- 03What infection-control checks are carried out when visitors arrive?
- 04How are new residents tested and supported during any isolation period?
- 05Which areas of care have been assessed in the home's most recent full inspection?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control, visiting arrangements and COVID-19 staffing pressures; it did not assess the other care areas or give an overall rating. This explanation was written from the published report of 27 January 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, January 2019
Rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and well-organised care, but some people risked social isolation.
Inspectors visited on 4 and 6 December 2018. The first visit was unannounced. They spoke with people, a relative, staff and managers. They reviewed care records, medicines records, staff files, complaints and quality checks. They also contacted three health and social care professionals.
The home was rated Good in all five areas: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. Inspectors found better fire safety arrangements, suitable staffing, safe medicines practice, trained staff and regular quality checks.
People and relatives described staff as kind and caring. Care plans reflected people's needs and choices. Activities were available, and complaints were handled appropriately. However, some people who stayed in their bedrooms said they felt lonely or anxious. The new manager recognised this and was planning improvements.
Better fire safety
The home had introduced fire drills, individual evacuation plans and regular checks of alarms and fire doors. Inspectors found staff were prepared to respond to a fire emergency.
“This meant people's safety was enhanced by the service's preparedness to respond appropriately to a fire emergency.” from the report
Kind and respectful care
People described staff positively. Inspectors saw staff supporting privacy, dignity, choice and independence, including during personal care and mealtimes.
“People and staff shared positive relationships and visitors were made to feel welcome at the service.” from the report
Personalised support
Care records included people's histories, preferences and daily routines. Staff used this information to support conversations, choices and individual care.
“People's preferences were noted in their care records and known to staff.” from the report
Quality checks led to action
The management team carried out regular audits and acted when they found problems. Inspectors gave the example of a faulty fire door being replaced.
“This meant that quality checks led to improvements in care quality.” from the report
Some people felt isolated
needs fixingSome people who spent most of their time in their bedrooms said they had little to do, felt anxious or would like more conversation. The manager was planning to improve this support, but inspectors said they would check whether it had happened.
“That can get me down.” from the report
- 01What specific changes have been made to reduce social isolation for people who spend most of their time in their bedrooms?
- 02How often will people in their rooms be offered one-to-one activities or time for a chat?
- 03Has the manager's application to register with CQC been completed, and who is legally responsible for the home while this is being processed?
- 04How often are fire drills and Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans reviewed to make sure they still match people's needs?
- 05How will you make sure care plans are updated promptly when a person's needs or preferences change?
This was an inspection of the overall service and covered all five key questions, with the ratings improved from the previous inspection where stated. This explanation was written from the published report of 30 January 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 Orford House Residential Care Home
3 rated inspections over 3 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- January 2022Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
Read what inspectors found at Orford House Residential Care Home →
- January 2019Goodup from Requires improvementSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
Read what inspectors found at Orford House Residential Care Home →
- January 2018Requires improvementdown from GoodSafe: Requires improvementEffective: Requires improvementCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Requires improvement
- October 2015GoodSafe: Requires improvementEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- July 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- January 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- October 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- October 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- October 2011
Report published without a new overall rating.
- January 2011
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 7 January 2011.
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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