CQC report explained · a nursing home
What the CQC found at Riversway Nursing Home
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors were assured about most infection control arrangements, including testing, safe admissions, visiting, cleaning and outbreak management. They were only somewhat assured that protective equipment was always used correctly because one staff member was not wearing a face covering.
- Effective?
- Good
- This area was not assessed during this targeted inspection.
- Caring?
- Good
- This area was not assessed during this targeted inspection.
- Responsive?
- Good
- This area was not assessed during this targeted inspection.
- Well-led?
- Good
- This area was not assessed during this targeted inspection.
What inspectors found, March 2022
Riversway Nursing Home was inspected but not rated; inspectors found mostly safe infection control during a COVID-19 outbreak, with one face-covering failure corrected afterwards.
This was a short-notice, targeted inspection on 16 February 2022. Inspectors checked infection prevention and control during a COVID-19 outbreak, and asked about staffing pressures. They did not give an overall quality rating.
Inspectors were assured about most infection control arrangements. These included testing, safe admissions, visiting arrangements, social distancing, cleaning, outbreak management and up-to-date infection control guidance. Staff told inspectors they felt safe and supported each other.
Inspectors were only somewhat assured that personal protective equipment was always used correctly. One staff member was not wearing a face covering. The manager provided evidence after the visit that this had been dealt with.
Support during the outbreak
People, families and staff were supported emotionally during the pandemic. Essential Care Givers and end-of-life visits were arranged in line with guidance.
“The emotional wellbeing of people, their families and staff had been supported throughout the pandemic.” from the report
Safe visiting
Visiting arrangements were adjusted during outbreaks. Risk assessments, testing and protective equipment were used for Essential Care Givers.
“All visiting arrangements followed government guidance, and these were adjusted dependent on whether there was an outbreak.” from the report
Outbreak controls
Inspectors were assured that the home managed admissions, testing, social distancing, cleaning and infection outbreaks safely.
“We were assured that the provider was making sure infection outbreaks can be effectively prevented or managed.” from the report
Staff teamwork
Staff described feeling safe and supported. Inspectors found communication between managers, staff, residents and relatives was effective.
“There was effective, supportive communication between the provider, managers, staff, people using the services and their relatives.” from the report
Face covering not worn
needs fixingOne staff member was not wearing a face covering, so inspectors were only somewhat assured that protective equipment was always used safely. The manager provided evidence after the inspection that this had been addressed.
“However one member of staff had not been wearing a face covering.” from the report
- 01What action was taken after the staff member was found not to be wearing a face covering?
- 02How do you now check that all staff use protective equipment correctly?
- 03What infection control arrangements are in place if there is another outbreak?
- 04How are testing, visiting and Essential Care Giver arrangements managed during an outbreak?
- 05What are the home's latest full inspection ratings for Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control and staffing pressures during a COVID-19 outbreak; the service was inspected but not rated and the other quality areas were not assessed. This explanation was written from the published report of 17 March 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, May 2020
Riversway Nursing Home rated Good; inspectors found kind, safe care, with some delays and recording gaps to address.
This was an unannounced inspection on 25 February 2020. Inspectors reviewed care plans, medicines, staff records, audits and other documents. They spoke with people living in the home, relatives, staff and a health professional, and observed care.
The home was rated Good in all five areas: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. People and relatives generally said they felt safe. Inspectors found medicines were given safely, staff were trained, healthcare was available and care was kind and respectful.
There were some shortfalls. Call bells were not always answered promptly, some records were incomplete, and admission assessments were not always done quickly. Two portable hot-surface radiators had not had their risks considered, although the manager said they would be removed. The overall Good rating remained unchanged from the previous inspection in 2017.
Kind and respectful care
People appeared comfortable with staff, and inspectors saw staff offering reassurance and thoughtful support. Relatives also gave positive feedback about kindness and compassion.
“People were treated with respect and dignity, and their privacy was maintained.” from the report
Safe medicines
Medicines were obtained, stored, given and disposed of safely. Electronic records helped staff identify when time-critical medicines had not been given.
“People received their medicines safely and when they needed them.” from the report
Trained staff
Staff completed induction and ongoing training, including training specific to their roles. Staff also received supervision and support.
“Staff completed an induction when they were new in post and received training to make sure they had the skills needed to do their job.” from the report
Personalised care and activities
Care records described individual preferences, routines and communication needs. Activities included group sessions and one-to-one support for people who stayed in their rooms.
“Care records were personalised and included details of people's individual care needs and preferences.” from the report
Good oversight
The home used regular audits, surveys, meetings and action plans to identify improvements. Staff had specialist dementia support through dementia champions and an admiral nurse.
“Systems were in place to monitor and evaluate the quality of the service provided.” from the report
Call bells were not always answered promptly
needs fixingPeople and relatives reported delays in call-bell responses. The system sounded throughout the whole building and was described as outdated, with replacement options still being considered.
“People and relatives commented that calls bells were not always promptly answered.” from the report
Some records were incomplete
needs fixingRecords for some as-required pain relief did not explain people's pain or how well the medicine worked. Two fluid charts also had gaps, although inspectors were assured people had received the fluids they needed.
“However, the records were not always detailed.” from the report
Admission assessments could be quicker
needs fixingAssessments were not always completed promptly when people moved in. This could mean changes in health were not recognised immediately.
“However, we noted that assessments on admission were not always carried out promptly, so changes in health status were not immediately recognised.” from the report
Food feedback was mixed
minorPeople were offered choices and support with eating and drinking, but some described meals as boring or variable.
“Food is lovely sometimes and I thank them then, but not always, can be variable.” from the report
- 01Have call bells been replaced, and how do you monitor how quickly they are answered now?
- 02How do you make sure pain-relief records explain the type of pain and whether the medicine worked?
- 03How do you ensure fluid charts are completed fully for people at risk of dehydration?
- 04How quickly are care and health assessments completed when someone moves into the home?
- 05What has happened to the portable hot-surface radiators, and how are smoking-related risks assessed?
This was an unannounced scheduled inspection covering all five key questions, and all five ratings remained Good from the previous inspection. This explanation was written from the published report of 1 May 2020 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 Riversway Nursing Home
3 rated inspections over 4 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- March 2022Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- May 2020Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- June 2017Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- June 2016GoodSafe: GoodEffective: Requires improvementCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- October 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- January 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- September 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- July 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- October 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- September 2011
Report published without a new overall rating.
- January 2011
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 19 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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