CQC report explained · a nursing home
What the CQC found at Richmond Village Cheltenham
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors found that risks were assessed, medicines were managed safely, staffing levels were met and infection-control arrangements were in place. They noted that some pressure-area and bowel-care actions were not always clearly documented.
- Effective?
- Good
- This question was not inspected during this focused visit. The report says the previous rating was used to calculate the overall rating.
- Caring?
- Good
- This question was not inspected during this focused visit. The previous rating was carried forward.
- Responsive?
- Good
- This question was not inspected during this focused visit. The previous rating was carried forward.
- Well-led?
- Good
- Inspectors found effective oversight, audits and an action plan. Management changes were improving staff morale and support, although these changes were still relatively recent.
What inspectors found, May 2023
Richmond Village Cheltenham was rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind care, with some record-keeping improvements still being completed.
This was an unannounced focused inspection on 28 and 29 March 2023. Inspectors looked only at Safe and Well-led because concerns had been raised about medicines, incidents, staffing and staff support. They spoke with people, relatives, staff and a professional, and checked care, incident, recruitment and management records.
The home was rated Good for Safe and Well-led. Inspectors found enough suitable staff, safe recruitment, regular risk reviews, appropriate medicines systems and good infection-control arrangements. People and relatives spoke positively about staff, and inspectors saw kind and respectful care.
There had been major management changes since January 2023. Inspectors found stronger oversight and an action plan for improvements. However, some pressure-area and bowel-care actions were not always clearly recorded. The overall Good rating remained because the other three areas used ratings from the previous comprehensive inspection in July 2021.
Kind and respectful staff
People and relatives were positive about the staff team. Inspectors observed staff supporting people in a kind and respectful way.
“We saw staff were kind and respectful when supporting people and there were enough suitable staff employed.” from the report
Risk management
Risks were assessed and support plans explained what staff should do. Plans were reviewed when people's needs changed, and professional advice was followed.
“People's risks had been assessed and their support plans described the actions staff should take to keep them safe and maintain their independence.” from the report
Medicines oversight
Records showed medicines were given as prescribed. Audits and weekly checks were being used to improve oversight.
“Records showed people had received their medicines as prescribed. Protocols were in place to guide staff giving 'when required' and homely medicines.” from the report
Improving leadership
The new management team had introduced audits, reviews and an action plan. Inspectors found that the needed improvements were being progressed.
“Oversight and governance of the service was effective, and the improvements needed were underway.” from the report
Some care records were unclear
needs fixingActions relating to pressure-area and bowel care were not always clearly recorded in support plans. The home had already identified this and was working to improve its records.
“Improvement was needed to ensure actions taken to manage risks relating to pressure area and bowel care were always clearly documented in people's support plans.” from the report
Staff support was still settling
minorStaff and managers said staff had previously felt unsupported and morale had been low. Inspectors reported that this was improving under the new management team.
“Staff and managers told us staff had not always felt supported or listened to and staff morale had been low, but this was changing under the new management team.” from the report
- 01How are you checking that pressure-area and bowel-care actions are clearly recorded in each person's support plan?
- 02What progress has been made on the action plan identified by the inspectors?
- 03How are you supporting staff and monitoring whether morale continues to improve?
- 04How do you check medicines weekly and act on any audit recommendations?
- 05Which ratings were carried forward from the July 2021 inspection, and when will those areas next be reviewed?
This was a focused inspection of Safe and Well-led only; the other ratings were carried over from the previous comprehensive inspection published in July 2021. This explanation was written from the published report of 19 May 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.
What inspectors found, July 2021
Richmond Village Cheltenham was rated Good in all areas; inspectors found safe, caring support, with no major concerns identified.
Inspectors made an unannounced visit on 25 and 26 May 2021. They spoke with people living in the home, relatives and staff. They reviewed four care plans, risk assessments and infection control records.
The home was rated Good overall and Good for Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. Inspectors found people felt safe, received kind and personalised care, and had their medicines, health and dietary needs managed appropriately.
The home had clear care plans, enough staff at the time of the inspection, and activities suited to people's interests. It also had infection control systems in place, including measures for COVID-19.
This was the first inspection since the service was registered after a change in ownership. A manager was in place but was still applying to become registered with the CQC.
Clear risk planning
Staff understood people's risks, including falls, choking and skin damage. Care plans gave clear instructions and staff followed them.
“Detailed person-centred care plans and risk assessments were in place, which provided staff with clear guidance on how to meet people's needs.” from the report
Kind and respectful care
People and relatives described staff as kind and caring. Inspectors saw people being treated with dignity and supported to make choices.
“People were supported by staff who had time to listen to them and fully involve them in decisions about their care.” from the report
Activities and engagement
Staff supported people to follow their interests and use the home, gardens and wider village areas. Activities were tailored to people's needs and preferences.
“Staff were committed to providing meaningful activities to keep people stimulated.” from the report
Safe medicines management
Medicines were stored, given and disposed of safely. Stock checks and audits helped identify errors or missed doses so action could be taken.
“Staff kept a clear record of people's medicine stocks. These were checked daily and audited by nursing and care staff.” from the report
Manager registration
minorThere was no registered manager in post during the inspection. A manager was applying to become registered, so families should check the current position.
“There wasn't a registered manager in post. A manager was in post who was in the process of registering with CQC.” from the report
Occasional staffing pressure
minorStaff said they were sometimes let down by staff absence, which could make the home busy. They said agency and bank staff were used and that people's care was completed.
“We are sometimes let down and then it can be busy, but we get it all done.” from the report
- 01Has the manager now completed their application to become registered with the CQC?
- 02Who is currently legally responsible for running the home and the quality and safety of care?
- 03How do you cover shifts when permanent staff are unavailable, and how often do you use agency staff?
- 04How are medicines errors or missed doses recorded, reviewed and prevented from happening again?
- 05What activities are currently available for someone with my relative's interests, mobility and health needs?
This was an unannounced first inspection covering all five key questions, with infection prevention and control also reviewed under Safe. This explanation was written from the published report of 15 July 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 Richmond Village Cheltenham
2 rated inspections over 2 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- May 2023Goodcurrent ratingstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- July 2021GoodSafe: GoodWell-led: Good
- September 2020Inspected but not ratedSafe: Inspected but not rated
- March 2020
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 13 March 2020.
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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38 live-in carers within about an hour of Gloucestershire
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 £1,030 to £1,360 a week. 31 can care for a couple. 12 years' experience on average.
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