CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Penny Pot Care Home
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Requires improvement
- Medicines were generally managed safely, but inspectors saw two medicines pre-dispensed into pots and left on the medicines trolley. Environmental risks were identified, but actions were not always clearly recorded or overseen.
- Effective?
- Good
- Staff had suitable training and support, and inspectors saw competent care. People were supported with food, drink, decision-making and access to healthcare professionals.
- Caring?
- Good
- Staff were kind, patient and respectful. People were supported to make choices, maintain independence and keep in contact with relatives.
- Responsive?
- Good
- Care plans were individual and gave detailed guidance about people's needs and preferences. Activities included group and one-to-one options, and people could raise concerns with staff or the manager.
- Well-led?
- Good
- The new manager was developing the service and the provider supported them. Audits and meetings were in place, although the manager was asked to sign off all audits so actions were clearly overseen.
What inspectors found, April 2018
Penny Pot Care Home was rated Good overall, but inspectors found medicines and some safety checks needed improvement.
Inspectors visited the home without notice on 7 February 2018. They spoke with people living there, staff, relatives and a visiting healthcare professional. They observed care, activities, lunch and medicines being given. They also checked care records, medicine records, staff files and quality checks.
The home was rated Good overall. Care was found to be effective, kind, responsive and well-led. Staff knew people's needs, treated them with dignity and supported activities, family contact and healthcare visits.
Safe care was rated Requires Improvement. Inspectors saw two medicines left in pots while staff gave medicines to other people. Some sinks were also recorded at temperatures above the recommended level. The manager said action was taken after the inspection, including extra staff supervision and training and improved checks.
Kind and respectful care
Inspectors saw warm, calm interactions. Staff gave people time, protected their privacy and supported everyday choices.
“Staff demonstrated affection, warmth, and compassion, for the people they were supporting.” from the report
Enough suitable staff
Inspectors found enough staff on duty to meet people's needs. Recruitment checks had been completed before staff started work.
“Our observations on the day of inspection showed us there were enough staff to meet people's needs.” from the report
Support with health needs
People were referred to health professionals when needed, and care records included appointments and outcomes. Staff also monitored eating, drinking and weight.
“People's care records showed their day-to-day health needs were being met and they had access to healthcare professionals according to their individual needs.” from the report
Medicines left unidentified
seriousTwo medicines had been put into plastic pots and left on the trolley while other medicines were given. Inspectors said this could mean the wrong person received the wrong medicine.
“This practice was not safe because the wrong person could potentially be given the incorrect medication and the medication could not be identified.” from the report
Hot water checks not fully overseen
needs fixingSome bedroom sinks recorded temperatures of 50 degrees, above the recommended 43 degrees. Although maintenance staff took action, this was not promptly reported or clearly highlighted on the audit form.
“Although this had been recorded and actioned by the maintenance team, they had not notified the manager immediately or highlighted their actions on the audit form.” from the report
Further dementia-friendly improvements planned
minorThe manager was reviewing care plans and the environment for people living with dementia. Inspectors said show plates would help some people make informed food and drink choices.
“However, people living with dementia would benefit from having 'show plates' in order to help them make an informed choice around food and drink.” from the report
- 01What changes have been made to stop medicines being pre-dispensed into unidentified pots?
- 02How do you now check and record hot water temperatures in people's bedrooms?
- 03Who signs off each audit, and how do you make sure required actions are completed?
- 04What activities and one-to-one support are available for my relative, especially if they do not want group activities?
- 05What dementia-friendly changes have been completed, including show plates and improvements to the environment?
This was an unannounced inspection covering all five CQC question areas, with the report also referring families to the previous inspection report for more comprehensive detail. This explanation was written from the published report of 6 April 2018 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 Penny Pot Care Home
2 rated inspections over 3 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- April 2018Goodcurrent ratingstayed GoodSafe: Requires improvementEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- July 2015GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- August 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- August 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- April 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- February 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- October 2010
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 6 October 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.
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35 live-in carers within about an hour of Essex
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 £1,260 a week. 25 can care for a couple. 10 years' experience on average.
“Not only was she professional, polite and efficient but she bought a lovely smile and laughter to my parents home.”
“She brought fun and stimulation into mums life.”
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.