CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Romney House
Rated Requires improvement: inspectors found the home was not performing as well as it should and told it what to change.
What inspectors found, April 2022
Inspected but not rated; inspectors found strong infection control and visiting arrangements during the COVID-19 pandemic.
This was an announced, targeted inspection on 3 February 2022. Inspectors looked at infection prevention and control, visiting arrangements and whether COVID-19 staffing pressures affected care.
Inspectors found good arrangements for visitors. Visits followed government guidance, visitors were screened and given protective equipment, and families were kept informed about changes. An electronic large-screen device helped people stay in touch with family and friends.
The home had extra cleaning, enough protective equipment, staff training and regular COVID-19 testing. Inspectors were assured that infection risks were being managed, including safe admissions, use of protective equipment and managing possible outbreaks.
The service was inspected but not rated. This means the inspection did not give an overall quality rating or ratings for the usual five areas of care.
Family visits
The home recognised the importance of visits and kept arrangements under review. Families were regularly updated, and technology was provided to support contact.
“The positive impact visitors had on people's wellbeing was recognised.” from the report
Infection control
Visitors were screened, given protective equipment and escorted through the home. Inspectors were assured that infection risks were being controlled.
“We were assured that the provider was preventing visitors from catching and spreading infections.” from the report
Cleaning
Extra cleaning staff and schedules were introduced. Inspectors found the areas they saw were clean and free from unpleasant smells.
“Areas seen during the inspection were clean and there were no offensive odours.” from the report
Protective equipment and training
There were ample supplies of protective equipment. Staff used it correctly and had training on safe use.
“There were ample supplies of personal protective equipment (PPE). Staff wore this correctly, and had received training on how to put it on and take it off safely.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01What is the home's current overall CQC rating and when was its latest full inspection?
- 02How have visiting arrangements changed since the inspection on 3 February 2022?
- 03What infection prevention and control procedures are currently used for visitors, new admissions and possible outbreaks?
- 04How often are staff trained in infection prevention and control, and how is their practice checked?
- 05How are staffing pressures monitored, and what happens if COVID-19 or other absences affect staffing?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control, visiting arrangements and COVID-19 staffing pressures; it did not assess the other usual care quality areas. This explanation was written from the published report of 9 April 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, March 2021
Romney House was rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind care and improvements since the previous inspection.
This was an unannounced focused inspection on 5 March 2021. One inspector reviewed care records, management records and policies, spoke with staff and managers, and contacted relatives after the visit.
The home was rated Good overall, with Safe, Effective and Well-led also rated Good. Inspectors found thorough risk assessments, safe medicines processes, appropriate consent decisions, person-centred care plans and strong infection control during the coronavirus pandemic.
The previous inspection in February 2019 found a breach about consent and the service was rated Requires Improvement. Inspectors found the required improvements had been made, so the home was no longer in breach. Caring and Responsive were not assessed during this visit, and their previous ratings carried over.
Risk management
Risk assessments covered areas such as falls, behaviour, communication and fire evacuation. Actions to reduce risks were recorded.
“Risk Assessments had a matrix covering the likelihood and severity of risk and actions to minimise the risk were documented.” from the report
Consent and decision-making
The home had improved its approach to mental capacity assessments, best-interest decisions and legal authorities since the previous inspection.
“Appropriate mental capacity assessments and their corresponding best interest decisions were in place.” from the report
Infection control
Inspectors were assured that the home used appropriate infection control measures, including PPE, testing, social distancing and safe admissions.
“We were assured that the provider was using PPE effectively and safely.” from the report
Management oversight
The home used monthly audits and daily checks to monitor care, medicines, staff training, cleaning and accidents.
“Regular monthly audits were carried out for all areas of service delivery.” from the report
Training had reduced
minorTraining had reduced during the busy coronavirus pandemic. The home planned to restart training, including essential safeguarding refreshers, so families should ask whether this has happened.
“Training had reduced during the busy Coronavirus pandemic period.” from the report
- 01Has the training programme restarted, including essential safeguarding refresher training?
- 02How are staff training, supervision and competency checks monitored now?
- 03What is the current rating and evidence for Caring and Responsive, which were not assessed during this inspection?
- 04How will you assess and record my relative's mental capacity and best-interest decisions if they cannot make a particular decision?
- 05How will you keep our family updated about care and visits during any infection outbreak?
This was a focused inspection of Safe, Effective and Well-led, including infection control; Caring and Responsive were not assessed and their previous ratings carried over. This explanation was written from the published report of 30 March 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 Romney House
5 rated inspections over 6 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- April 2022Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- March 2021Goodup from Requires improvementSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- April 2019Requires improvementstayed Requires improvementSafe: Requires improvementEffective: Requires improvementWell-led: Requires improvement
- March 2018Requires improvementdown from GoodSafe: Requires improvementEffective: Requires improvementCaring: GoodResponsive: Requires improvementWell-led: Requires improvement
- May 2015Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- February 2015GoodSafe: Requires improvementEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- September 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- April 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- June 2013
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 6 June 2013.
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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