CQC report explained · a nursing home
What the CQC found at Sonning Gardens Care Home
Rated Outstanding: inspectors found the home performing exceptionally well.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors were assured that infection risks were being managed through visitor screening, PPE, testing, cleaning, social distancing and outbreak planning.
- Effective?
- Outstanding
- Does the care work? Training, consent, food and drink, working with GPs and nurses.
- Caring?
- Good
- Are people treated with kindness and dignity?
- Responsive?
- Outstanding
- Is care built around the person? Care plans, activities, complaints.
- Well-led?
- Outstanding
- Is the home run well? The manager, the culture, how problems get found and fixed.
What inspectors found, March 2021
Inspected but not rated; inspectors found strong infection prevention measures and support for people's wellbeing during the pandemic.
This was an announced, targeted inspection on 3 March 2021. It looked at infection prevention and control because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Inspectors were assured that visitors were screened, PPE was used safely, testing was available, and cleaning and social distancing measures were in place. They also found that staff understood infection control procedures and that the policy was up to date.
The home supported people's emotional and social wellbeing through planned activities. This inspection did not give an overall quality rating or ratings for the other care areas.
Visitor screening
Visitors had to take a rapid lateral flow test, wait for the result, have their temperature checked and use PPE before entering.
“Visitors were asked to undertake a Rapid Lateral Flow test and were required to wait for the results before entering the building.” from the report
Staff infection control
Staff had training in PPE and hand hygiene. Inspectors found they understood infection prevention and control measures.
“Staff had a good understanding of infection prevention and control measures.” from the report
Cleaning and checks
The home carried out extra cleaning of shared areas and frequently touched surfaces. Infection control audits and checks were also completed.
“Additional cleaning of all areas and frequent touch surfaces was being carried out.” from the report
Emotional wellbeing
Activities were planned within the home to support people's social and emotional wellbeing during major changes to their routines.
“Activities had been planned within the home to positively support people through a period of extreme change to their routines.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How are visitors currently screened before entering the home?
- 02What infection control and PPE training do staff receive now?
- 03How are people and staff tested for infections?
- 04What arrangements are in place to prevent or manage an infection outbreak?
- 05What activities are currently available to support residents' emotional and social wellbeing?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control only; the service was inspected but not rated and the other care areas were not assessed. This explanation was written from the published report of 25 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, June 2018
Rated Outstanding overall; inspectors found highly effective, responsive and well-led care, with safe and caring support rated Good.
This was an unannounced inspection on 19 and 20 March 2018. Inspectors looked at the building, care, medicines, staffing, records, complaints and how the home was managed. They spoke with people, visitors, staff and professionals, and reviewed care plans and other records.
The home was rated Outstanding overall. Effective, Responsive and Well-led were rated Outstanding. Safe and Caring were rated Good. Inspectors found people were treated as individuals, supported to make choices, and helped to stay active and connected with others.
Inspectors found safe systems for medicines, risk management, staffing and emergencies. They also found strong leadership, good staff support and many examples of creative care. Some recruitment records had discrepancies, but the management team corrected these and provided further evidence after the inspection.
Strong leadership
Inspectors found clear management arrangements and a positive culture focused on people's individual needs. Staff felt supported and worked well together.
“The service had clear and effective governance, management and accountability arrangements.” from the report
Creative health support
The home used specialist link nurses and tested new approaches to falls, infections and other health needs. Inspectors found these approaches improved outcomes for people.
“Staff applying their learning effectively and in line with best practice led to good outcomes for people's care and support and promoted a better quality of life.” from the report
Kind and respectful care
Staff knew people well and supported their privacy, dignity, choices and independence. Inspectors saw warm and respectful interactions.
“People and relatives agreed staff treated them with respect, and people's dignity and privacy was always protected.” from the report
Personalised activities
Activities were based on people's interests and included links with the local community. Inspectors found that these helped people avoid isolation and enjoy daily life.
“The service placed a great emphasis on enabling people to live as full a life as possible.” from the report
Recruitment records
minorInspectors found discrepancies in some employment histories and references. The management team corrected them and supplied enough evidence after the inspection.
“We identified some discrepancies with employment histories and references.” from the report
Communication policy
minorThe home did not have a specific policy covering the Accessible Information Standard at the time of inspection. It took immediate action to put one in place and review people's communication needs.
“There was no specific policy however they took immediate action with the senior director of care and quality to ensure one was put in place.” from the report
- 01What has happened since the inspection to make sure employment histories and references are checked fully?
- 02What is the current policy for meeting people's communication needs, including sensory loss or disability?
- 03How would you support my relative's particular nursing, dementia, falls or other health needs?
- 04How are activities chosen to reflect each person's interests, history and wishes?
- 05How are medicines, risks and staffing levels checked for my relative's needs?
This was an unannounced inspection covering all five CQC questions, including both the premises and the care provided; it was the first inspection since recent registration changes. This explanation was written from the published report of 9 June 2018 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. The report was longer than we could read in one go; the later sections may not be reflected.
Every inspection of Sonning Gardens Care Home
Each visit the CQC has published, newest first, back to the day the home was registered.
- March 2021Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- June 2018OutstandingSafe: GoodEffective: OutstandingCaring: GoodResponsive: OutstandingWell-led: Outstanding
- August 2017
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 1 August 2017.
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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78 live-in carers within about an hour of Wokingham
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 £1,260 a week. 71 can care for a couple. 12 years' experience on average.
“I can truly say that Peter always put Dad at the centre of everything and I know that they found a great friendship in difficult times.”
“Not only has she looked after him beautifully, she has also been great company for him with lively conversation, kindness and humour.”
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.