CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Priory Highfields
Rated Requires improvement: inspectors found the home was not performing as well as it should and told it what to change.
- Safe?
- Requires improvement
- Some risks were not assessed or planned for, including a flammable topical medicine. Monitoring of bowel movements and weighing was not always completed as care plans required. Medicines were generally managed safely, but some records and storage checks needed improvement.
- Effective?
- Good
- People had access to health professionals, suitable staff training and food and drink that met their preferences and needs. Inspectors found that people were supported to make choices, although one monitoring arrangement was used outside the scope of its authorisation.
- Caring?
- Good
- People were treated with kindness, dignity and respect. Staff supported people to make everyday choices and maintain independence.
- Responsive?
- Good
- Care plans were personalised and staff knew people's needs and preferences. People took part in hobbies and activities, although one person was accessing the community less often while safer arrangements were being explored.
- Well-led?
- Requires improvement
- Quality checks did not consistently identify missing or poor records and did not ensure that all earlier actions had worked. Relatives also said communication, including updates about appointments, could be more proactive.
What inspectors found, November 2023
Rated Requires Improvement; inspectors found kind and personalised care, but gaps in risk, medicines and quality checks reduced assurance about safety.
This was the home’s first inspection since it registered in 2021. It was unannounced and took place on 24 August, 30 August and 22 September 2023. One inspector spoke with relatives, staff and health professionals, observed care and checked care plans, medicines, recruitment and management records.
The home supported seven people with learning disabilities and/or autism in two houses. Inspectors found that people were treated with respect, supported to make choices and helped to remain independent. People had access to healthcare, food and activities, and relatives generally said staff knew people well.
The main weaknesses were in safety checks and management oversight. Some risks were not properly assessed, medicines records were incomplete, and monitoring such as bowel movements and weighing was not always carried out as planned. Quality systems had not found or corrected all these issues.
The overall rating was Requires Improvement. Effective, Caring and Responsive were rated Good. Safe and Well-led were rated Requires Improvement. The report says there was increased risk that people could be harmed, although people had not come to harm from the issues found during this inspection.
Kind and respectful staff
Relatives consistently described staff as caring. Inspectors saw that staff treated people with respect and supported their dignity.
“People were well treated, and people's equality and diversity needs were considered.” from the report
Personalised support
Staff knew people's needs, preferences and communication styles. People were supported to choose activities, food and parts of their daily routine.
“People had personalised care to meet their needs.” from the report
Choice and independence
People were encouraged to do things for themselves, such as cooking, laundry and personal care tasks, with support where needed.
“People were supported to make day to day decisions about their care and support.” from the report
Access to activities and healthcare
People had access to health professionals and took part in a range of hobbies. The home was working with professionals to support community access where needs had changed.
“Other people were supported to partake in hobbies they enjoyed.” from the report
Safeguarding and recruitment
Staff understood how to recognise and report abuse. Recruitment checks were completed, and inspectors found enough safely recruited staff to provide support.
“Staff had their suitability to support people who used the service, checked.” from the report
Risk assessments and monitoring
seriousSome risks were not properly assessed or followed up. Bowel monitoring had not been consistent, one person was not weighed as planned, and a flammable topical medicine did not have a risk assessment.
“Risks were not always assessed and planned for.” from the report
Medicines records and storage
seriousOne person's topical medicines were poorly recorded. Guidance for one when-required medicine lacked detail, and fridge temperature records did not show whether medicines stayed within the safe range.
“One person's topical medicines were poorly recorded, so the provider could not be assured they were receiving it as prescribed.” from the report
Weak quality checks
seriousThe home's checks did not find several omissions in care records and medicines records. An action plan was in place, but it had not fully solved the concerns.
“Quality assurance systems in place, had not been fully effective at identifying areas for improvement.” from the report
Communication with relatives
needs fixingSeveral relatives wanted more proactive updates, including being told about appointments. There were no coordinated relatives' meetings at the time of inspection.
“Multiple relatives gave us examples of feeling they did not have enough proactive communication” from the report
Community access
needs fixingOne person was no longer accessing the community as often because their support needs had changed. The home was still exploring safe ways to restore this.
“One person was not accessing the community as regularly as they had previously, due to a change in their support needs.” from the report
- 01What has been changed to make sure every person's risks, including flammable medicines, are assessed and reviewed?
- 02How do you now check bowel movements, weights and other health monitoring are completed as each care plan says?
- 03What changes have been made to topical medicine records, when-required medicine guidance and medicine fridge temperature checks?
- 04How do managers check that the quality improvement plan is working and that missing or inaccurate records are found quickly?
- 05How will you keep relatives updated about appointments and other important changes in their relative's care?
This was an unannounced first inspection covering all five CQC questions, including infection prevention and control, care provided and the home environment. This explanation was written from the published report of 11 November 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.
Every inspection of Priory Highfields
4 rated inspections over 8 years: the service has slipped, from Good to Requires improvement.
- November 2023Requires improvementcurrent ratingdown from GoodSafe: Requires improvementEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Requires improvement
- January 2020Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodWell-led: Good
- January 2018Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: OutstandingWell-led: Good
- February 2016GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- November 2021
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 18 November 2021.
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
At least 100 live-in carers within about an hour of Staffordshire
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 £980 to £1,230 a week. 85 can care for a couple. 10 years' experience on average.
“We particularly appreciate the companionship Dawn gives in the evenings when she plays cards and Scrabble with my mother.”
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.