CQC report explained · a nursing home
What the CQC found at South Quay Care Home
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
What inspectors found, April 2022
Rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and well-managed care, with activities and staffing consistency still needing attention.
This was an unannounced inspection on 15 March 2022. Inspectors spoke with people, relatives, staff and health professionals. They observed care and reviewed care, medicines, recruitment and management records.
The home was rated Good overall and Good in all five areas: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. Inspectors found that risks were managed, medicines were handled safely, staff were kind, and people's care plans were detailed and up to date.
The home had reduced its use of agency staff and improved its records and workplace culture. However, night staff said they were sometimes working with three staff instead of the expected four. Activities had also reduced during the pandemic and a recent outbreak, although plans were in place to increase them.
Risk and medicines management
Inspectors found that risks were regularly reviewed and medicines systems were established and accurate.
“Risks to people's health and safety were clearly assessed, regularly reviewed and managed in line with care plans.” from the report
Kind and respectful care
Staff were patient and attentive. People appeared relaxed with them, and relatives described care as respectful and caring.
“Staff were kind and patient with people. They took the time to genuinely listen to what people needed and to support them.” from the report
Improved staffing stability
The home had significantly reduced its reliance on agency staff. Inspectors linked the more stable staffing to more consistent care.
“The registered manager had ensured a significant decrease in the reliance on agency staff usage over the past six months.” from the report
Personalised records and care
Care plans contained detailed information about people's health needs, histories, communication and preferences. Daily records were described as detailed and current.
“Care plans were personalised and reviewed.” from the report
Support at the end of life
Inspectors found that staff had provided peaceful and compassionate end-of-life support to several people and their relatives.
“Staff had supported a number of people to have a peaceful and compassionate end to their life in recent months.” from the report
Night staffing
needs fixingSome night staff said they sometimes worked with three rather than four staff, which put them under significant strain. The manager said four staff should be the minimum and committed to maintaining this.
“Some night staff stated that there were times when they had to work with three rather than four staff, putting them under significant strain.” from the report
Activities after restrictions
minorActivities had reduced during the pandemic and a recent outbreak. The home had plans to increase the range of activities, but relatives also wanted clearer updates such as a newsletter.
“There was a consensus of opinion from relatives that activities were an area that had suffered during the pandemic.” from the report
Checks and audits
needs fixingSome staff supervision, competence checks and audits had not happened as regularly as planned because of staffing pressures and an outbreak.
“Some audits had not taken place as regularly as planned due to staffing pressures and an outbreak but the registered manager had risk assessed this.” from the report
Weekend food staffing
minorThe manager acknowledged that weekend food was not at the same standard as during the week because the home was relying on agency cooks.
“The registered manager acknowledged that food at weekends was not to the same standard as the service were currently relying on agency cooks.” from the report
- 01How do you make sure there are at least four staff working on every night shift?
- 02What activities are now available, and how do you tell relatives about planned activities?
- 03Have staff supervision and competence checks returned to the planned schedule?
- 04Are permanent weekend kitchen staff now in place, and has the weekend food standard improved?
- 05Have the planned staff champion and mentoring schemes been introduced?
This was an unannounced inspection covering all five CQC questions, as well as infection prevention and control, care records, medicines, staffing and management systems. This explanation was written from the published report of 13 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
Targeted infection-control inspection; the home was inspected but not rated, and inspectors were assured by its COVID-19 safety measures.
Inspectors visited the home on 23 February 2021. The visit was announced and took place because of COVID-19 outbreaks in care homes.
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control. Inspectors looked at measures including visitors, shielding, social distancing, admissions, personal protective equipment, testing, cleanliness, staffing and records.
Inspectors were assured that the home had suitable infection-control arrangements. They found checks for visitors, enough protective equipment, clean premises, and efforts to limit movement between floors. The service was inspected but not rated, so this report does not give a full quality rating.
Visitor safety checks
Visitors were checked before entering, with temperature checks and questions about relevant risks.
“All visitors had to undergo a temperature check and answer a range of relevant questions before entry.” from the report
Protective equipment and hygiene
Inspectors found enough protective equipment, handwashing facilities and signs to support infection control.
“There was ample PPE, handwashing facilities and signage.” from the report
Limiting spread
The home had arrangements to reduce movement between floors and to use isolation and zoning.
“Movement of staff and people between floors was minimised.” from the report
Clean environment
Inspectors found the home clean, with staffing and cleaning arrangements in place to maintain this.
“The service was clean and appropriate staffing and cleaning regimes were in place to ensure this remained the case.” from the report
Further development identified
minorInspectors signposted the provider to resources to develop its approach. The report does not explain what specific changes were needed.
“We have also signposted the provider to resources to develop their approach.” from the report
- 01What changes have been made to infection-control arrangements since the inspection on 23 February 2021?
- 02How do you currently manage visitors, including testing, temperature checks and questions before entry?
- 03How do you limit movement between floors and use isolation or zoning when someone may have an infection?
- 04How much agency staffing is being used now, and how do you maintain continuity of care?
- 05What resources or changes did the provider use after inspectors signposted them to develop their approach?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control, including staffing and record keeping; the service was inspected but not rated overall. This explanation was written from the published report of 26 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 South Quay Care Home
6 rated inspections over 7 years: the service has improved, from Requires improvement to Good.
- April 2022Goodcurrent ratingSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- March 2021Inspected but not ratedSafe: Inspected but not rated
- December 2019Requires improvementstayed Requires improvementSafe: Requires improvementEffective: Requires improvementCaring: GoodResponsive: Requires improvementWell-led: Requires improvement
- July 2018Requires improvementdown from GoodSafe: Requires improvementEffective: Requires improvementCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Requires improvement
- May 2016Goodup from Requires improvementSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- September 2015Requires improvementstayed Requires improvementSafe: Inspected but not ratedEffective: Requires improvementCaring: Inspected but not ratedResponsive: Inspected but not ratedWell-led: Requires improvement
- January 2015Requires improvementSafe: GoodEffective: Requires improvementCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Requires improvement
- May 2020
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 13 May 2020.
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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23 live-in carers within about an hour of Northumberland
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 £950 to £1,190 a week. 20 can care for a couple. 11 years' experience on average.
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.