CQC report explained · a nursing home
What the CQC found at Rakewood House Care Home
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
What inspectors found, January 2023
Rated Requires Improvement; inspectors found delayed care, staffing shortfalls and gaps in records, with three regulations breached.
This was an unannounced inspection on 26 October and 1 November 2022. Inspectors spoke with people living at the home, relatives, staff and health professionals. They reviewed care records, medicines records, staff files, rotas, audits and other documents.
All five areas were rated Requires Improvement. Inspectors found too few staff for people's needs, delays in personal care and gaps or inconsistencies in care records. Risks were not always managed clearly, infection control practices were not always followed, and meals did not always meet people's needs.
There were also positive findings. Staff were recruited safely, medicines were generally managed safely, and people were usually treated kindly and respectfully when staff were available. Activities, healthcare referrals, consent arrangements and end of life care planning were also described positively in parts of the report.
The home had breached regulations about staffing, dignity and respect, and good governance. CQC required an action plan and said it would work with the provider and local authority to monitor improvements.
Medicines management
Inspectors found that medicines were generally managed safely and in line with national guidance. Staff had training and competency checks, and medicines records and stock were checked.
“People's medicines were managed safely, in line with the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidance.” from the report
Kind staff interactions
Most people liked the staff. Inspectors saw staff speaking kindly, offering reassurance and treating people respectfully.
“We observed staff supporting people in a kind and respectful way.” from the report
Activities and relationships
Staff supported visits, activities and people's interests. Most people were happy with the activities available, including group and one-to-one activities.
“Most people were happy with the activities available and were encouraged by staff to take part.” from the report
Not enough staff
seriousPeople and staff reported delays in getting help, including help with using the toilet. Inspectors found staffing levels were significantly below the level calculated as appropriate for people's needs.
“The provider had failed to ensure there were sufficient staff to meet the needs of people living at the home.” from the report
Care records and risk information
needs fixingSome records contained gaps or conflicting information about people's needs and risks. This meant staff did not always have clear information to provide safe and appropriate care.
“This meant staff did not always have access to clear information about people's risks and needs and how to support them safely.” from the report
Dignity and delayed personal care
seriousPeople sometimes waited for toileting and other personal care. Inspectors said people did not always receive care that reflected their needs and preferences.
“The provider had failed to ensure people were treated with dignity and respect.” from the report
Food and dietary needs
needs fixingSome people said meals were poor quality and offered too little choice. Inspectors found that pureed diets and cultural dietary needs were not always properly supported.
“We found that improvements were needed to ensure sufficient choice for people on a pureed diet and to ensure people's cultural dietary needs were always met.” from the report
Weak oversight
seriousAudits did not always lead to timely action, and some repeated shortfalls were not resolved. The provider also had limited ways to gather and use people's and relatives' feedback.
“Where audits identified shortfalls, improvements were not always made in a timely way.” from the report
- 01What are the current staffing levels on each shift, especially at night, and how are they calculated from residents' individual needs and risks?
- 02How do you make sure residents receive timely help with toileting, personal care, repositioning and getting up or going to bed?
- 03What checks now confirm that pressure care, oral care and other planned care have been provided and recorded?
- 04What changes have been made to the meals, including pureed food choices and cultural dietary needs?
- 05How are residents and relatives now asked for feedback, and how do you show that concerns lead to action?
This was the first comprehensive inspection of the newly registered home, covering all five key questions; the home had been created in September 2022 when a larger care home was split into five services. This explanation was written from the published report of 25 January 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 Rakewood House Care Home
Each visit the CQC has published, newest first, back to the day the home was registered.
- January 2023Requires improvementcurrent ratingSafe: Requires improvementEffective: Requires improvementCaring: Requires improvementResponsive: Requires improvementWell-led: Requires improvement
- September 2022
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 29 September 2022.
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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At least 100 live-in carers within about an hour of Rochdale
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 £1,260 a week. 92 can care for a couple. 11 years' experience on average.
“Primrose is a very kind and compassionate healthcare professional”
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.