CQC report explained · a nursing home
What the CQC found at Red Brick House
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
What inspectors found, June 2022
Red Brick House was rated Requires Improvement; inspectors found kind care but gaps in risk records, visitor screening and management checks.
This was an unannounced focused inspection on 12 and 18 May 2022. Inspectors looked only at Safe and Well-led, after concerns about incidents between people, risk management and infection control. They spoke with people, relatives and staff, observed care and checked care, medicine, recruitment and management records.
The home was friendly and welcoming. People and relatives described staff as kind and helpful. There were enough staff for safe care, medicines were managed safely, and people were supported to make choices. The home was clean and had equipment and arrangements to help prevent infections.
Inspectors found that some people's risk assessments were missing or not detailed enough. Some professional visitors had not been screened, and some agency staff induction records were missing. The overall rating changed from Good to Requires Improvement. The other three key question ratings were carried forward from the previous inspection.
Kind and welcoming care
People and relatives described a friendly atmosphere and staff who were helpful, attentive and compassionate.
“People and relatives praised the friendly atmosphere in the home and described staff as helpful and kind.” from the report
Safe medicines management
Inspectors found that staff were trained and checked for competence, and medicine records were clear and current.
“Medicines records were clear and up to date.” from the report
People's choices
People were encouraged to make their own choices, and inspectors found that support was given in the least restrictive way possible.
“People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff assisted them in the least restrictive way possible” from the report
Responsive staff
There was a good staff presence, and people said they received support promptly when they used their call bells.
“There was good staff presence in lounges to be on hand for people and people said they got timely support.” from the report
Incomplete risk assessments
needs fixingSome risk assessments were missing, including for distressed reactions and skin integrity. Others did not give staff enough detail to support people consistently. The report made a recommendation for this to be improved.
“Risk assessments were not always in place for people, including those at risk due to distressed reactions or skin integrity.” from the report
Management records and checks
needs fixingSome agency staff induction records and visitor screening records were missing. The provider's audits had not always identified these gaps.
“The provider's checks were not always being followed or the records were missing, for example, some induction records for agency staff and some screening of professional visitors.” from the report
- 01How have you completed and updated risk assessments for people who may have distressed reactions or skin integrity risks?
- 02How do you now make sure every professional visitor is screened before entering the home?
- 03How do you check that agency staff have completed their induction records?
- 04What changes has the new management team made since the inspection, and how will you show that they are working?
- 05When will the manager's registration application be completed?
This was an unannounced focused inspection of Safe and Well-led only; the Effective, Caring and Responsive ratings were carried forward from the previous inspection. This explanation was written from the published report of 28 June 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, February 2021
Red Brick House was inspected but not rated; inspectors were assured that infection prevention and control measures were in place.
This was a targeted inspection on 27 January 2021. It focused on infection prevention and control during the coronavirus pandemic. The inspection was announced.
Inspectors found visitor screening, effective use of protective equipment, social distancing measures and regular Covid-19 testing. They were also assured that people were admitted safely and that outbreaks could be managed.
The home was clean, with frequent cleaning of surfaces such as door handles and light switches. This inspection did not give an overall quality rating or a separate rating for the other care questions.
Visitor screening
Visitors were screened before entering to help reduce the spread of infection.
“Systems were in place to screen any visitors before they entered the home to reduce the potential spread of infection.” from the report
Protective equipment
Staff used protective equipment and managers checked that it was being used correctly. Staff had infection control and protective equipment training.
“Staff wore personal protective equipment (PPE) and management staff checked they did this in the right way.” from the report
Testing and outbreak planning
Regular Covid-19 testing was in place for residents and staff. Inspectors were assured that outbreaks could be managed effectively.
“Regular testing for Covid-19 was in place for people and the staff team.” from the report
Clean environment
The home looked clean and frequently touched surfaces were cleaned regularly.
“The home looked clean and housekeeping staff made sure they frequently cleaned touch points, such as door handles and light switches.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How are visitors screened now, and what happens if someone may have an infection?
- 02How do you check that staff use protective equipment correctly?
- 03How often are residents and staff tested for Covid-19 or other infections now?
- 04What arrangements are in place if there is an infection outbreak?
- 05When was the home last inspected for care quality questions other than infection prevention and control?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control during the coronavirus pandemic; the service was inspected but not rated and the other care questions were not assessed. This explanation was written from the published report of 17 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.
Every inspection of Red Brick House
4 rated inspections over 8 years: the service has slipped, from Good to Requires improvement.
- June 2022Requires improvementcurrent ratingSafe: Requires improvementEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Requires improvement
- February 2021Inspected but not ratedSafe: Inspected but not rated
- August 2019Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodWell-led: Good
- February 2017Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- December 2014GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- April 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- October 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- January 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- April 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- December 2011
Report published without a new overall rating.
- November 2011
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 1 November 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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23 live-in carers within about an hour of Northumberland
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 £950 to £1,190 a week. 20 can care for a couple. 11 years' experience on average.
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.