CQC report explained · a nursing home
What the CQC found at Queen Alexandra Cottage Homes
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
What inspectors found, February 2021
Queen Alexandra Cottage Homes: inspected but not rated; inspectors were assured about infection prevention and control.
This was an announced, targeted inspection on 22 January 2021. It focused on infection prevention and control during the coronavirus pandemic. The home was caring for 27 people, with space for up to 28.
Inspectors found the home clean, tidy and well maintained. They were assured about visitor safety, social distancing, admissions, PPE, testing, hygiene, outbreak management and the infection control policy. People were supported to stay in contact with families and take part in activities while restrictions were in place.
The service was inspected but not rated. This was not a full inspection of all five areas of care. The report gives a finding for Safe, but says it was inspected but not rated.
Clean and well maintained
Inspectors found the home clean, tidy and well maintained, with regular cleaning that included high-touch areas.
“The home was clean, tidy and well maintained.” from the report
PPE and infection control
Staff had PPE, received specific infection control training and were seen following the correct practices.
“Staff had received specific Covid-19 training and this included guidance for staff about how to put on and take off PPE safely.” from the report
Family contact and activities
People were supported to stay in contact with families by phone and video calls. Staff also helped people remain engaged with activities.
“Staff also supported people to remain in contact with their families through phone and video calls.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01What infection prevention and control arrangements are in place now?
- 02How are visitors, new admissions and people who are unwell managed now?
- 03How often are people living here and staff tested?
- 04What training do staff currently receive on putting on and taking off PPE safely?
- 05How are residents currently supported to contact their families and take part in activities?
This was an announced targeted inspection of infection prevention and control during the coronavirus pandemic; it did not rate the service overall or assess the other four questions. This explanation was written from the published report of 5 February 2021 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, June 2018
Queen Alexandra Cottage Homes was rated Good overall; inspectors found kind, safe and responsive care, but records and staff relationships needed improvement.
The inspection was unannounced on 3, 5 and 6 April 2018. Inspectors reviewed records, medicines, recruitment files, complaints, audits and five care plans. They spoke with people living at the home, visitors, staff and health professionals, and observed care and mealtimes.
The home was rated Good for Safe, Effective, Caring and Responsive. Inspectors found enough safely recruited staff, safe medicines systems, suitable training, good healthcare support and care that respected people's choices, dignity and interests. People enjoyed a range of activities and could receive good end of life care.
Well-led was rated Requires Improvement. Some care plans did not clearly record people's current needs or the support staff provided. Inspectors also found a breakdown in trust between the provider and some staff. Quality checks had identified these issues and action plans were in place.
Enough staff
Inspectors found enough staff to meet people's needs safely. Call bells were answered quickly during the inspection.
“There were enough staff, who had been safely recruited, to meet people's needs.” from the report
Kind relationships
People had positive relationships with staff, who understood their needs, choices and preferences.
“Staff knew people well and had a good understanding of their individual needs, choices and preferences.” from the report
Food and nutrition
People had a choice of meals, could eat at preferred times and received support for specialist diets and swallowing needs.
“Meals were freshly cooked each day. They were well presented and appeared appetising.” from the report
End of life care
The home had trained staff and used the Gold Standard Framework to support people and their relatives at the end of life.
“There was a genuine commitment by all staff to ensure people received excellent care and support during their final days.” from the report
Care records were incomplete
needs fixingSome care plans did not record important communication, diet or positioning support. This could make care less consistent, especially for new staff.
“People's care plans did not always demonstrate the care and support they needed.” from the report
Staff and provider relationship
needs fixingInspectors found a breakdown in communication and trust between the provider and some staff. Meetings and supervision were being used to improve the relationship.
“However, we did find that there had been a breakdown in the relationship with the provider and some staff.” from the report
Recruitment records
minorSome recruitment files did not contain a full employment history. The manager said this had been discussed at interview but not recorded.
“Recruitment records did not always contain full employment history.” from the report
- 01What has been done to ensure every care plan records each person's current needs and the support staff must provide?
- 02How will you check that care plans are updated promptly when people's needs change?
- 03What progress has been made in rebuilding trust and communication between the provider and staff?
- 04How do you make sure recruitment files contain a full employment history before staff start work?
- 05How would you support my relative's communication, diet, activities and end of life wishes?
This was an unannounced inspection covering all five key questions and the overall service; the separate independent living flats and bungalows on the wider site were not regulated or inspected by CQC. This explanation was written from the published report of 1 June 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 Queen Alexandra Cottage Homes
2 rated inspections over 2 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- February 2021Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
Read what inspectors found at Queen Alexandra Cottage Homes →
- June 2018Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Requires improvement
Read what inspectors found at Queen Alexandra Cottage Homes →
- January 2016GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: Requires improvementWell-led: Good
- August 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- January 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- February 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- November 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- May 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- January 2011
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 25 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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19 live-in carers within about an hour of East Sussex
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 £1,000 to £1,400 a week. 13 can care for a couple. 10 years' experience on average.
“When he point blank refused to go into hospital for a life saving blood transfusion she talked him through the situation and agreed to go in the ambulance with him and stayed until he was settled.”
“Una felt safe, secure and loved in her time with Debbie which is a gift that I am eternally grateful for.”
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.