CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at St Armands Court
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- The inspection focused on infection prevention and control. Inspectors were assured about testing, admissions, infection outbreaks and the policy, but were only somewhat assured about social distancing, PPE use, and hygiene records.
- Effective?
- Good
- This area was not assessed in this inspection.
- Caring?
- Good
- This area was not assessed in this inspection.
- Responsive?
- Good
- This area was not assessed in this inspection.
- Well-led?
- Requires improvement
- This area was not assessed in this inspection.
What inspectors found, March 2021
Inspected but not rated; inspectors found several infection-control arrangements in place, but identified problems with masks, social distancing and cleaning records.
This was an announced thematic inspection on 23 February 2021. It focused only on infection prevention and control during the coronavirus pandemic. The home was inspected but not rated.
Inspectors found the home was clean, testing arrangements were in place, the infection-control policy was up to date and staff generally understood how to use protective equipment. People were supported to keep in touch with family and friends by video and phone.
There were also shortfalls. Some staff were not wearing masks correctly, people at lunch were not always two metres apart, clinical waste was unlocked and overflowing, and some cleaning records had not been completed. The manager said these issues would be addressed, and some actions were taken immediately.
COVID-19 testing
The home had arrangements to test people living there and staff.
“We were assured that the provider was accessing testing for people using the service and staff.” from the report
Clean environment
The home and its equipment were clean, and inspectors found no bad smells.
“The home was clean and there were no malodours.” from the report
Up-to-date policy
The infection prevention and control policy matched current guidance.
“We were assured that the provider's infection prevention and control policy was up to date.” from the report
Keeping families connected
People were supported to stay in contact with family and friends by video and telephone.
“Staff supported people to keep in touch with family and friends through video and phone calls” from the report
Masks were not always worn correctly
needs fixingSome staff were not wearing masks correctly or did not have them on. The manager addressed the identified practice and said it would be monitored.
“We observed some staff not wearing their masks correctly in line with current government guidance.” from the report
Social distancing at lunch
needs fixingSome people were seated less than two metres apart at lunch. The manager agreed to consider other dining-room arrangements.
“We observed people at lunch who were not sat two metres apart to maintain social distancing.” from the report
Clinical waste
needs fixingClinical waste outside was not locked and was overflowing. The manager said this would be addressed.
“We saw the clinical waste outside was not locked and was overflowing.” from the report
Incomplete cleaning records
needs fixingBathroom checks and records of cleaning shared equipment had not been completed. New recording templates were put in place after the inspection.
“Although the home and equipment were clean, records were not always completed to show when cleaning had been carried out.” from the report
- 01What changes were made to keep people two metres apart in the dining room?
- 02How do you now check that every staff member wears PPE correctly?
- 03How is the clinical waste kept locked and prevented from overflowing?
- 04How are bathroom and shared-equipment cleaning checks recorded and reviewed?
- 05What infection-control arrangements are currently in place for visitors and new admissions?
This was an announced thematic inspection of infection prevention and control during the coronavirus pandemic; it did not rate the other areas of care. This explanation was written from the published report of 11 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
St Armands Court was rated Good overall; inspectors found safe, kind care, but the well-led rating Requires Improvement because records were not always accurate.
Inspectors visited on 9 and 12 September 2019 without giving notice. They spoke with five people, three relatives, two staff members and the management team. They reviewed care, medicines, staffing, training and quality records.
The home was rated Good for Safe, Effective, Caring and Responsive. People were protected from abuse, medicines were generally managed safely, staff were trained, and people described kind and respectful care. People were involved in care choices, meals and activities, and complaints were handled appropriately.
The Well-led rating was Requires Improvement. Inspectors found missing, incomplete or inaccurate records, including care plans, assessments, audits, medicine records and personal evacuation plans. The provider corrected some issues during the inspection, and inspectors made a recommendation to keep all records up to date and accurate.
Safe risk management
Risk assessments were reviewed and gave staff clear instructions. Staff also acted on falls and choking risks by involving relevant healthcare professionals.
“People remained safe as risk management plans were reviewed, individualised and contained clear guidance for staff to follow.” from the report
Kind and respectful care
People and relatives said staff were caring. Inspectors saw staff explain care, protect privacy and encourage people to remain independent.
“People and their relatives told us they were treated kindly by caring staff.” from the report
Staff support
Staff had training, supervision and appraisals. Inspectors found enough skilled and experienced staff to meet people's needs.
“Staff training was provided which ensured they had enough knowledge to support people and fulfil their role effectively.” from the report
Food and healthcare
People helped choose meals and were offered snacks and drinks. Staff worked with healthcare professionals and followed advice about people's health.
“People were involved in meal choices and supported to maintain a balanced diet.” from the report
Activities and choice
People were supported to make choices, stay active and maintain relationships. Inspectors saw people taking part in music and dancing activities.
“People were encouraged to have full control of their lives.” from the report
Inaccurate and incomplete records
needs fixingSome assessments, care plans, audits and medicine records did not contain complete or accurate information. Inspectors recommended that the provider ensures all records are up to date and accurate.
“We found the provider did not always maintain appropriate and contemporaneous records.” from the report
Missed medicine dose
needs fixingOne person did not receive one antibiotic tablet. Another medicine record said all tablets had been given when a stock check showed one was still in the packet.
“We found one example where a person had not received one anti-biotic tablet to treat an infection.” from the report
Care plans not personal enough
needs fixingSome care plans did not contain enough individual information. One person with epilepsy did not have guidance explaining what signs staff should look for and when healthcare help was needed.
“However, care plans lacked individualised information and were not always person centred.” from the report
Fire evacuation preparation
needs fixingStaff had not carried out a simulated fire evacuation before the inspection. This was completed by the second day of the visit.
“However, staff had not carried out a simulated fire evacuation to ensure people could be safely evacuated from the building.” from the report
- 01What checks now make sure initial assessments, care plans and audits are complete, current and accurate?
- 02How will you make sure care plans contain personal information about each person's needs, including epilepsy or other health risks?
- 03What action was taken after the missed antibiotic dose and the inaccurate medicine administration record?
- 04How often are fire evacuation practices carried out, and how do you keep each person's personal evacuation plan up to date?
- 05Have surveys now been carried out with people living in the home, and what changes followed their feedback?
This was an unannounced planned inspection covering all five CQC questions, including both the care provided and the care home premises. This explanation was written from the published report of 7 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 St Armands Court
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
- November 2019GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Requires improvement
- September 2018
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 17 September 2018.
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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