CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Priors Piece
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors found strong COVID-19 controls, including visitor checks, protective equipment and testing. However, some areas did not appear clean.
- Effective?
- Good
- This question was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
- Caring?
- Good
- This question was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
- Responsive?
- Good
- This question was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
- Well-led?
- Good
- This question was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
What inspectors found, March 2022
Inspected but not rated; inspectors found strong COVID-19 controls but some areas did not appear clean.
This was an unannounced, targeted inspection on 28 February 2022. Inspectors looked at infection prevention and control, visiting arrangements and COVID-19-related staffing pressures.
The home had strong arrangements for visitors, including testing, temperature checks, handwashing and health declarations. Staff used personal protective equipment properly, and people and staff took part in regular COVID-19 testing.
Inspectors found that some areas did not appear clean, including around door handles, light switches and walls. Managers said action would be taken. The service was inspected but not rated, so this report does not give a full quality rating.
Visitor infection controls
Visitors had to complete several safety checks before entering, including a rapid COVID-19 test, temperature check, handwashing and a health declaration.
“There was a clear system in place for visitors to ensure they followed the current guidance on the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and social distancing.” from the report
Staff training and PPE
Staff had extra infection-control training, and inspectors saw them wearing protective equipment appropriately. Supplies were available.
“Staff had received additional training in infection prevention and control and the use of PPE” from the report
Testing and isolation
People and staff took part in regular whole-home testing. Those who tested positive followed national guidance and self-isolated for the required time.
“People and staff took part in regular COVID-19 'whole home' testing.” from the report
Risk planning
Risk assessments were completed for everyone living at the home, with extra measures for people at higher risk of infection.
“Risk assessments were completed for all people living at the service and additional measures put in place when people had been assessed at higher risk of infection.” from the report
Some areas were not clean
needs fixingInspectors found concerns around door handles, light switches and walls, despite cleaning schedules being in place. Managers said some damage was caused by cleaning products and assured inspectors that action would be taken.
“We found some aspects of the service did not appear clean.” from the report
- 01What action was taken after inspectors found that areas around door handles, light switches and walls did not appear clean?
- 02How do you now check that enhanced cleaning is effective?
- 03What measures are in place if COVID-19 creates staffing pressures?
- 04What checks must visitors complete before entering the home now?
- 05How are positive COVID-19 tests and required self-isolation managed?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control, visiting arrangements and COVID-19-related staffing pressures, so the other quality areas were not assessed and the service was not rated. This explanation was written from the published report of 18 March 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
Priors Piece was rated Good in all five areas; inspectors found safe, caring and personalised support, with some specialist training to review.
This was an unannounced comprehensive inspection on 12 November 2018. Inspectors spoke with all four people living at the home, staff, managers, healthcare professionals and relatives. They reviewed care records, medicines, recruitment, training and quality checks.
The home was clean and people said they felt safe and well cared for. Medicines were managed safely, staffing levels were sufficient, risks were assessed, and staff supported people to access healthcare and make everyday choices.
Care was personalised and people were supported to keep their independence, relationships and community links. The home was described as well led, with audits and checks used to monitor and improve the service.
All five areas were rated Good: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. The overall Good rating continued from the previous inspection in March 2016.
Safe medicines support
Medicines were stored, administered and recorded safely. Staff had been trained and their competence was checked regularly.
“People continued to receive their medicines safely.” from the report
Personalised care
Care plans included people's needs, preferences, medical history and signs that their mental health might be worsening. Staff knew how to support each person.
“Support plans were informative and provided staff with detailed information on people's likes, dislikes, personal preferences, care needs and medical history.” from the report
Respect and independence
People could choose how and where they spent their time. Staff respected privacy and supported people to develop daily living skills and maintain relationships.
“People had control over their lives and were free come and go as they pleased and enjoyed varying levels of independence.” from the report
Strong management checks
The registered manager used audits covering care plans, medicines, incidents, health and safety, and the environment. Feedback from people, relatives and staff was also collected.
“The registered manager had a number of quality monitoring systems in place to continually review and improve the quality of the service provided to people.” from the report
Specialist mental health training
needs fixingRecords showed that not all staff had received specialist mental health training for the complex needs of people living at the home. Inspectors recommended that the provider review the specialist training for staff and managers.
“However, records we saw showed that not all staff had received specialist mental health training to support the complex needs of people living at home.” from the report
- 01What specialist mental health training has each member of staff completed since the inspection?
- 02How do you check that staff understand each person's mental health needs, triggers and relapse signs?
- 03How are people's medicines audited, including medicines prescribed only occasionally?
- 04How are people involved in reviewing their care plans and choosing activities?
- 05How do you use feedback from people and relatives to improve the home?
This was an unannounced comprehensive inspection of the whole service, including care, premises, medicines, staffing, records and management systems; all five ratings were reviewed. This explanation was written from the published report of 5 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 Priors Piece
2 rated inspections over 3 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- March 2022Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- January 2019Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- May 2016GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- March 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- April 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- January 2011
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 21 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.
Weigh the report against the rest
Fees, photos and reviews from families
How to read CQC ratings and reports
What to check when you visit
17 live-in carers within about an hour of Devon
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 £1,270 a week. 15 can care for a couple. 13 years' experience on average.
“She is such a warm and gentle person while being professional and competent at the same time.”
“She looked after my mum, who can be incredibly challenging, so well and so gently, and we always felt confident that my mum was getting the best care available.”
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.