CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Portelet House Care Home
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors found that people's risks were assessed, monitored and reviewed. They were assured about infection prevention and control, but the full Safe question was not assessed.
- Effective?
- Good
- This question was not assessed during the targeted inspection.
- Caring?
- Good
- This question was not assessed as a separate rating, although inspectors observed kind, friendly and calm interactions.
- Responsive?
- Good
- This question was not assessed during the targeted inspection.
- Well-led?
- Good
- This question was not assessed during the targeted inspection.
What inspectors found, October 2023
Portelet House Care Home was inspected but not rated; inspectors found people safe and risk management satisfactory.
This was an unannounced targeted inspection on 22 September 2023. Inspectors checked a specific concern about risk management and also reviewed infection prevention and control. They spoke with five people and five staff, observed care, and reviewed five people's records.
Inspectors found that people's risks were assessed, monitored and reviewed. People told inspectors they felt safe, comfortable and happy. Staff were kind and calm, knew people well, and supported them respectfully.
Fire safety improvements were still being put in place, but staff had completed fire safety training and regular checks and drills were taking place. Inspectors were assured that infection prevention measures were effective.
The service was not given a new rating because this was a targeted inspection. The previous overall rating of Good, published in January 2019, remains unchanged. The Safe question was inspected but not rated.
Risk management
People's risks were assessed, monitored and reviewed. This included risks such as falls, skin damage, malnutrition and choking.
“People had their risks assessed, monitored, and reviewed. This included risk of falls, skin damage, use of bed rails, malnutrition and risks associated with health conditions.” from the report
Kind interactions
Staff were observed supporting people in a calm and friendly way. They knew people's likes and dislikes.
“We observed staff supporting and interacting with people in a kind, friendly and calm way.” from the report
Infection control
Inspectors were assured that the home had suitable measures for preventing and managing infections, including safe use of protective equipment.
“We were assured that the provider was using personal protective equipment effectively and safely.” from the report
Fire safety arrangements
Staff had completed fire safety training, and fire equipment and drills were being checked and maintained.
“Staff were trained in fire safety and completed regular fire drills. Fire safety equipment was checked, maintained and serviced appropriately.” from the report
Fire safety improvements ongoing
minorThe home was still implementing improvements to fire safety at the time of the inspection. Ask what work has since been completed.
“The home was in the process of implementing improvements to fire safety.” from the report
- 01What fire safety improvements were still outstanding at the inspection, and have they now been completed?
- 02How are my relative's individual risks assessed, monitored and reviewed?
- 03How would you support my relative if they were at risk of falls, choking, malnutrition or skin damage?
- 04How does the home manage infection risks and visits from relatives?
- 05When is the next comprehensive inspection expected to assess all five areas of care?
This was a targeted inspection of risk management and infection prevention and control; it did not assess the full Safe question or the other four questions, so the previous ratings carry over. This explanation was written from the published report of 4 October 2023 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, February 2022
Portelet House Care Home was inspected but not rated; inspectors found good infection control and visiting arrangements.
Inspectors visited the home on 12 February 2022. This was an announced, targeted inspection focused on infection prevention and control, visiting arrangements and any staffing pressures linked to COVID-19.
There were 14 people living in the home, which can accommodate up to 15 people. People said they were happy and felt safe. Inspectors found suitable measures for visitors, including testing, temperature checks, hand hygiene and personal protective equipment.
The home was clean and had good supplies of protective equipment. Inspectors were assured that the home was managing infection risks, testing, admissions, visiting and possible outbreaks safely. The service was inspected but not rated, so this report does not provide a Good, Requires improvement or Inadequate rating.
People felt safe
People told inspectors they were happy and felt safe living in the home.
“People told us they happy and felt safe living at Portelet House Care Home.” from the report
Infection control
Inspectors were assured that the home was managing infection risks, including protective equipment, testing, hygiene and outbreak planning.
“We were assured that the provider was making sure infection outbreaks can be effectively prevented or managed.” from the report
Clean environment
The home was clean and domestic staff carried out deep cleaning. Refurbishment and redecoration were also continuing.
“The home was a good standard of cleanliness and there was an ongoing programme of refurbishment and redecoration in place.” from the report
Visits supported
The home continued to support visits from relatives, using booking arrangements and a conservatory to help keep visits safe.
“Portelet House was facilitating visits for people with their relatives and loved one's.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How are you currently managing staffing pressures, and have these affected people's care?
- 02How do you currently check visitors, including testing, hand hygiene and protective equipment?
- 03How are visits arranged now, and what happens if infection guidance changes?
- 04How do you make sure protective equipment is used correctly and that supplies remain available?
- 05How do you identify and manage infection outbreaks or other infection risks?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control, visiting arrangements and COVID-19-related staffing pressures; it did not provide ratings for the other key questions or an overall rating. This explanation was written from the published report of 22 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.
Every inspection of Portelet House Care Home
2 rated inspections over 3 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- October 2023Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- February 2022Inspected but not ratedSafe: Inspected but not rated
- February 2019Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- August 2016GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- November 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- January 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- July 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- November 2011
Report published without a new overall rating.
- January 2011
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 27 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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