CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Ridgeway House
Rated Outstanding: inspectors found the home performing exceptionally well.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors were assured about infection prevention and control. They found arrangements for cleaning, PPE, testing, visiting and managing possible outbreaks.
- Effective?
- Good
- This question was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
- Caring?
- Good
- This question was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
- Responsive?
- Outstanding
- This question was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
- Well-led?
- Outstanding
- This question was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
What inspectors found, February 2021
Ridgeway House was inspected but not rated; inspectors were assured about infection control during the COVID-19 pandemic.
This was an announced, targeted inspection on 28 January 2021. It looked only at infection prevention and control measures, not the full range of care provided.
Inspectors found the home clean and tidy. They saw extra cleaning of frequently touched surfaces, checks by managers, temperature checks, personal protective equipment, visitor testing and controlled visiting arrangements.
Staff had completed infection control refresher training and took part in weekly COVID-19 testing. People living in the home were tested monthly, and the home had updated policies and an outbreak plan.
The service was inspected but not rated. The Safe question was also inspected but not rated. Inspectors said they were assured that infection control arrangements were keeping people safe.
Clean surroundings
The home was clean and tidy, with extra cleaning of frequently touched surfaces and regular checks by managers.
“The home was clean and tidy throughout. Additional cleaning tasks were included on the daily cleaning schedules” from the report
Visitor safety
Visitors followed clear procedures, including temperature checks, PPE or testing, waiting arrangements and controlled visiting times.
“There were strict procedures in place for any visitors to the home.” from the report
Testing and PPE
Staff had infection control refresher training and took part in regular COVID-19 testing. People living in the home were tested monthly.
“Staff had all completed refresher training in infection prevention and control” from the report
Outbreak planning
The home had updated infection control policies and a plan for preventing or managing an outbreak.
“The service had updated all their infection prevention and control policies and procedures and had a contingency plan in place” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01What infection prevention and control arrangements are in place now?
- 02How often are staff and residents tested, and what happens if someone has COVID-19 symptoms?
- 03What are the current visiting arrangements, including testing and face-to-face visits?
- 04What is the current plan if there is an infection outbreak?
- 05Can you provide information about care quality areas that were not covered by this inspection?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control during the COVID-19 pandemic; it did not rate the overall service or the other four questions. This explanation was written from the published report of 10 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, January 2019
Ridgeway House was rated Outstanding overall, with kind and safe care, and especially strong personalised support and leadership.
Inspectors made an unannounced, comprehensive visit on 20 November 2018. They looked at all five areas CQC assesses, spoke with people, relatives, staff and professionals, observed care, and checked records.
The home was rated Good for safe, effective and caring services. Inspectors found enough staff, safe medicines management, suitable training, detailed care plans, support with decisions, and kind care that respected privacy and dignity.
The home was rated Outstanding for responsive care and well-led services. Care was highly personalised, with creative activities, strong community links and support for independence. Inspectors also found strong leadership, staff involvement and quality checks that led to improvements.
The overall rating improved from Good at the previous inspection in June 2016. The report says the service remained Good in three areas and improved to Outstanding in responsive and well-led care.
Personalised care
Care plans reflected people's histories, preferences and changing needs. Staff adapted support and sometimes went beyond their usual duties to provide reassurance and meaningful care.
“Care was very personalised and highly responsive to people's needs.” from the report
Activities and independence
People were supported to take part in varied activities, develop skills, use the community and work towards greater independence.
“A wide range of innovative activities that were meaningful and therapeutic supported people to live as full a life as possible.” from the report
Kind and respectful staff
Inspectors saw warm, respectful interactions. Staff knew people's communication methods, preferences and personal histories.
“People were treated with genuine and sincere kindness, respect and compassion.” from the report
Strong leadership
The management team involved people, relatives and staff in improving the home. Inspectors found a culture of inclusion and celebration.
“The service was exceptionally well-led. Staff were highly valued by the management team, with strong recognition of their involvement in developing the service.” from the report
Safe systems
Medicines, risks, staffing, recruitment and the building's safety were checked. The medicine records inspectors reviewed were complete and accurate.
“The records we checked were fully and accurately completed.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How would you meet my relative's specific communication needs if they cannot communicate verbally?
- 02What activities and community opportunities would be available for my relative, and how would you support their independence?
- 03How would you support my relative if they needed to go into hospital, including whether staff could stay with them?
- 04How would you involve my relative and our family in decisions about care, best interests and end of life wishes?
- 05How do you use feedback, complaints and quality checks to identify and fix problems?
This was an unannounced comprehensive inspection of all five key questions, covering the accommodation and the personal care provided. This explanation was written from the published report of 19 January 2019 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 Ridgeway House
2 rated inspections over 3 years: the service has improved, from Good to Outstanding.
- February 2021Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- January 2019Outstandingup from GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: OutstandingWell-led: Outstanding
- July 2016GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- July 2014
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 8 July 2014.
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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40 live-in carers within about an hour of Bristol, City of
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 £1,020 to £1,300 a week. 34 can care for a couple. 11 years' experience on average.
“She became a good friend to my mother in law, chatting with her, dancing with her, knitting with her and the list goes on”
“She was very caring, kind and patient to all his needs, she built up a wondetful rapport with him, she was dedicated and was there for him through good times as well as through the tough times”
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.