CQC report explained · a nursing home
What the CQC found at Sherwood Court
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
What inspectors found, March 2021
Sherwood Court: Inspected but not rated; inspectors were assured about infection control, with visitor checks needing better records.
This was an announced, targeted inspection on 23 February 2021 during the national lockdown. Inspectors looked at how the home prevented and controlled Covid-19 infection. They did not carry out a full inspection of all aspects of care.
Inspectors were assured that the home followed shielding and social distancing rules, used personal protective equipment safely, arranged testing and kept the building clean. They also found updated infection control policies, enough staff and support for staff wellbeing.
The home had a visiting pod and helped people keep in touch with relatives using social media and tablets. The overall service was inspected but not rated, and Safe was also recorded as inspected but not rated.
Infection control
The home had detailed infection control processes, regular testing, protective equipment and reminders about handwashing and distancing.
“We found the following examples of good practice:” from the report
Safe visiting
A purpose-built visiting pod allowed relatives to visit without entering the home. Visits could be booked online to avoid queues and gatherings.
“There was a visiting pod that had been created at the side of the home so that visitors did not have to enter the home itself.” from the report
Contact with relatives
Staff supported people to use social media and tablets to stay in touch with relatives and friends.
“People's mental wellbeing had been promoted by innovative use of social media and electronic tablets so people could contact their relatives and friends.” from the report
Clean environment and trained staff
Inspectors found the home clean and hygienic. Staff had infection prevention knowledge, access to guidance and specialist Covid-19 training.
“The home was clean and hygienic.” from the report
Visitor check records
minorThe home checked authorised visitors at the door, but inspectors asked for these checks to be documented. The registered manager agreed to put this in place.
“At inspection, the registered manager agreed to document these checks both as an aid to staff when receiving visitors and to ensure appropriate records were kept.” from the report
- 01How are checks on authorised visitors recorded now?
- 02Are the visiting pod and online booking arrangements still available, and what happens when visits cannot take place?
- 03How often are residents and staff tested for Covid-19 now?
- 04What is the current plan for preventing and managing an infection outbreak?
- 05How will staff help my relative keep in touch with family and friends if they cannot visit in person?
This was an announced targeted inspection of infection prevention and control during the coronavirus pandemic; it did not assess the other four questions or provide an overall rating. This explanation was written from the published report of 16 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.
What inspectors found, November 2019
Sherwood Court was rated Good; inspectors found safe, caring and well-managed care, but staffing and communication were not always consistent.
This was an unannounced inspection on 05 November 2019. Inspectors spoke with people living at the home, relatives, staff and health professionals. They observed care and reviewed care plans, medicines records, staff files, training records and management records.
The home was rated Good in all five areas: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. Inspectors found that medicines, safeguarding, recruitment, staff training, care planning and complaints systems had improved. People were generally treated with kindness, dignity and respect, and were involved in choices about their care.
There were some mixed views about staffing levels, activities and how quickly relatives could get information. Inspectors also found individual recording errors, which the manager acted on during the inspection. The home had previously been rated Requires Improvement, with breaches about consent records and medicines management, but it was no longer in breach.
Medicines safety
Medicines were stored, administered and checked safely. Staff had relevant training and competency checks.
“Medicines were managed safely; staff had received the appropriate medicines training and competency checks.” from the report
Kind and respectful care
Inspectors saw staff provide timely, appropriate support. People said they could make choices and remain as independent as possible.
“We observed staff delivering care appropriate to people's needs in a timely manner” from the report
Improved management
The home had improved since the previous inspection. Audits, senior management visits and feedback systems were being used to oversee quality.
“A range of audits had been completed which included the areas covered, any findings from these and the actions required as a result.” from the report
Mixed staffing feedback
needs fixingSome people and staff felt there were not enough staff, particularly when someone was absent. The home was introducing an overlap shift, so families should check whether this has improved staffing in practice.
“An extra pair of hands would be really useful” from the report
Recording errors
needs fixingOne medicines record lacked a required as-needed medicines protocol, and one nutritional record did not reflect the person's needs. The manager acted immediately during the inspection.
“We noted that the record did not reflect their needs.” from the report
Communication with relatives
needs fixingSome relatives said it could be difficult to get information quickly, including when someone was in hospital.
“If I ring before 11:00am they cannot tell me because they are in a meeting.” from the report
Activities varied
minorActivities were available and people were invited to join in, but relatives did not all think there was enough entertainment.
“They don't do enough entertaining, activities are a quick in and out.” from the report
- 01How many staff are on each shift now, and has the planned overlap shift been introduced?
- 02How do you check that medicines protocols and nutritional records are complete and up to date?
- 03How will relatives be kept informed when someone is taken to hospital or needs a professional review?
- 04What activities are available for people who do not want to join group events, and how often are they offered?
- 05Was the planned refurbishment in early 2020 completed, and did the specialist dementia programme begin?
This was a planned, unannounced inspection that covered all five CQC questions, the premises and the care provided; the previous inspection had rated the service Requires Improvement. This explanation was written from the published report of 26 November 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 Sherwood Court
4 rated inspections over 4 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- March 2021Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- November 2019Goodup from Requires improvementSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- December 2018Requires improvementstayed Requires improvementSafe: Requires improvementEffective: Requires improvementCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Requires improvement
- October 2017Requires improvementdown from GoodSafe: Requires improvementEffective: Requires improvementCaring: Requires improvementResponsive: Requires improvementWell-led: Requires improvement
- November 2015GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- March 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- August 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- December 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- February 2011
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 15 February 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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85 live-in carers within about an hour of Lancashire
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 £980 to £1,260 a week. 78 can care for a couple. 11 years' experience on average.
“She understands the needs of an elderly person in the early stages of dementia and has treated my mother with great kindness and skill.”
“Thanks to Tracy, Dad was always immaculately dressed and clean, his meals were all home cooked and nutritionally well balanced and his home was always kept really clean and tidy.”
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.