CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at South Cary House
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
What inspectors found, March 2021
Inspected but not rated; inspectors found strong infection control overall, with some improvements needed around visitor arrangements and monitoring frequently touched areas.
This was a targeted inspection on 27 January 2021 during the coronavirus pandemic. Inspectors looked at infection prevention and control measures, rather than carrying out a full inspection of the home.
Inspectors were assured about shielding, social distancing, safe admissions, personal protective equipment, testing, cleaning, outbreak planning and the infection control policy. People were described as happy and comfortable, and staff had worked to support their wellbeing.
The home was clean and visiting arrangements had been created, including a garden pod. However, inspectors wanted more formal monitoring of frequently touched areas. They were only somewhat assured about preventing visitors from spreading infection during the national lockdown.
The home was not given an overall quality rating or a Safe rating. 'Inspected but not rated' means this report does not judge the home as Good, Requires improvement or another standard CQC rating.
Infection control practice
Staff knew how to wash their hands and use PPE safely. They also reminded each other when they saw mistakes.
“They all knew how to safely put on and take off personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves, masks and aprons.” from the report
Clean environment
Inspectors found the home clean, with daily cleaning systems in place. Staff cleaned items such as chairs and tables during the inspection.
“The home was clean, and systems were in place to ensure there was daily cleaning.” from the report
Support for residents and families
Staff worked to reassure people during the pandemic. The home created ways for people to keep in touch with visitors, including a garden pod.
“Visiting had been encouraged at the home during the summer and outside of national lockdowns.” from the report
Testing and outbreak planning
Regular testing was in place for staff, residents and visitors. Inspectors were assured that the home could prevent or manage infection outbreaks.
“We were assured that the provider was making sure infection outbreaks can be effectively prevented or managed.” from the report
Monitoring frequently touched areas
needs fixingThe home needed to make its checks of frequently touched areas more formal, particularly because of new COVID-19 variants.
“However, further consideration was needed to formalise monitoring of the frequently touched areas considering the new COVID-19 variants.” from the report
Visitor infection controls during lockdown
needs fixingInspectors were only somewhat assured that visitors were being prevented from catching or spreading infections. At the time, the home had a policy of no visitors during the national lockdown, apart from end-of-life visits.
“We were somewhat assured that the provider was preventing visitors from catching and spreading infections.” from the report
- 01How are frequently touched areas monitored now, and how often are these checks reviewed?
- 02What are the current visiting arrangements, and how do you prevent visitors from spreading infections?
- 03What infection testing is currently offered to residents, staff and visitors?
- 04How would you manage an infection outbreak in the home?
- 05What changes have you made since the inspection on 27 January 2021?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control during the coronavirus pandemic; it was not a full inspection and the service was not rated. 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 2017
South Cary House is Rated Good; inspectors found exceptionally kind care, with a minor concern about how clearly some care records showed events such as falls.
This was a comprehensive, unannounced inspection, followed by an announced visit. Inspectors spoke with people living in the home, staff and relatives. They observed care and looked at care plans, medicines, staff files and quality records.
The home was rated Good overall and remained Good since the previous inspection. It was rated Outstanding for Caring, and Good for Safe, Effective, Responsive and Well-led. People said they felt safe, staff were kind, and their choices and interests were respected.
Inspectors found enough staff, safe medicines procedures, suitable staff training and prompt health care support. The home had developed its garden, activities and facilities after listening to people's views. Inspectors noted that the computer care-record system was time-consuming and not very clear when reviewing a series of events such as falls.
Kind and respectful care
People described staff as exceptionally kind. Inspectors saw caring and professional interactions, with privacy, dignity and personal choices respected.
“People told us they were supported by extremely kind and caring staff.” from the report
Listening to people
The home changed its garden, activities and facilities after listening to what people wanted. Staff also supported individual interests and independence.
“We found further developments in the home had been made as a direct result of listening to people's views.” from the report
Safe staffing and medicines
Inspectors found enough staff to meet people's needs. Medicines were stored, administered and checked safely.
“People were supported by sufficient numbers of staff to meet their needs.” from the report
Health and end-of-life support
People received prompt attention when unwell and support with appointments. End-of-life care was described as effective and compassionate.
“At the end of their lives people received effective and compassionate care from a team of health professionals.” from the report
Care records were not easy to review
minorThe computerised care-record system required several screens to be checked to understand what had happened, for example after a series of falls. The manager agreed to discuss possible improvements with the care-plan provider.
“The computer system meant that to gain a clear picture several screens had to be accessed. This was time consuming and not very clear.” from the report
- 01How has the computerised care-record system been improved so staff can clearly see patterns such as repeated falls?
- 02How will you make sure my relative's care plan reflects their choices, routines, interests and changing needs?
- 03What staffing arrangements are in place if staff are ill or on holiday?
- 04How will you support my relative's health appointments, nutrition and any risk of falls or skin damage?
- 05How would you support my relative's wishes and family involvement at the end of their life?
This was a comprehensive inspection covering all five questions, with an unannounced visit on 20 October 2017 and an announced follow-up visit on 21 October 2017; the report also lists 13 October 2017 as the inspection visit date. This explanation was written from the published report of 30 November 2017 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 South Cary House
2 rated inspections over 3 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- March 2021Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- November 2017Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: OutstandingResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- February 2015GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: OutstandingResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- November 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- July 2013
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 18 July 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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76 live-in carers within about two hours of Somerset
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 £1,370 a week. 62 can care for a couple. 12 years' experience on average.
“She looked after my mum, who can be incredibly challenging, so well and so gently, and we always felt confident that my mum was getting the best care available.”
“She was not phased by anything, she was adaptable, kind & gave us complete confidence to go away & not worry about a thing!”
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.