CQC report explained · a nursing home
What the CQC found at St. Cecilia's Nursing Home
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Staffing, medicines, care planning and general safety were good. However, an unapproved five-bed COVID-19 unit created a risk of cross-infection.
- Effective?
- Good
- This area was not inspected during this focused inspection. Its rating was carried forward from the previous full inspection.
- Caring?
- Good
- This area was not inspected during this focused inspection. Its rating was carried forward from the previous full inspection.
- Responsive?
- Good
- This area was not inspected during this focused inspection. Its rating was carried forward from the previous full inspection.
- Well-led?
- Good
- The home had visible managers, regular audits and good links with healthcare professionals. However, the provider had not told the relevant bodies before using the unapproved COVID-19 unit.
What inspectors found, October 2021
St. Cecilia's Nursing Home was rated Good, but inspectors found that an unapproved COVID-19 unit had put people at risk and was stopped.
The inspection was unannounced and took place on 10 September 2021. One inspector spoke with six staff, reviewed care and medicines records, checked staff files, and looked at the home’s management systems.
The home was rated Good overall, with Safe and Well-led both rated Good. Staff were described as kind, respectful and organised. People received medicines on time, care plans covered their needs, and there were enough staff.
Inspectors found a serious infection-control problem in a separate five-bed unit used for people who had COVID-19. It had not been approved for this use and did not have enough infection-control facilities. The home was told it could no longer use it, and the provider was contacted separately about the matter.
Kind and respectful care
Inspectors saw staff treating people with patience, dignity and respect. Care was person-centred and staff had time to talk with people.
“There was a warm and welcoming atmosphere in the home. Staff treated people with dignity and respected people's individual needs and preferences.” from the report
Enough staff
Staffing levels were consistent and inspectors saw a calm, quiet and organised service. People’s requests were dealt with quickly.
“There were enough staff on duty to meet people's needs.” from the report
Safe medicines and care planning
Medicines were received, stored, given and disposed of safely. Care plans and risk assessments covered people’s health conditions and support needs.
“Medicines were safely received, stored, administered and destroyed when they were no longer required.” from the report
Learning from incidents
The registered manager investigated incidents and identified actions to reduce the chance of them happening again.
“The registered manager carried out thorough investigations when things went wrong and identified actions to prevent the same incidents from happening again.” from the report
Unapproved COVID-19 unit
seriousIn June 2021, people with COVID-19 were cared for in a five-bed unit that had not been approved for this purpose. Inspectors found a possible risk of cross-infection because staff used the lift to reach breaks and toilets, and the lift was not shown as being cleaned after every use.
“COVID-19 positive people were being admitted into and cared for within a five-bedded unit that was not a CQC approved designated service.” from the report
Provider did not notify key bodies
seriousThe provider did not tell the regulator, local authority or clinical commissioning group before using the smaller unit. This suggests the decision was not checked properly against the approval requirements.
“In June 2021 the provider did not notify CQC, the local authority or CCG about their decision to admit and care for COVID-19 positive people in an unapproved designated setting.” from the report
- 01Can you confirm that the five-bed unit is no longer being used for people who have COVID-19?
- 02What checks are now required before any part of the home is used for people with an infection?
- 03How do you make sure infection-control facilities are suitable in every area used by residents and staff?
- 04How are lift cleaning and other cleaning records checked when staff move between different areas?
- 05What action was taken after the provider failed to notify the relevant bodies about the unit?
This was a focused inspection of Safe and Well-led only; the ratings for Effective, Caring and Responsive were carried forward from the previous full inspection. This explanation was written from the published report of 20 October 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 2020
Inspected but not rated; inspectors found good infection control arrangements in the designated unit.
This was an announced, targeted inspection on 12 November 2020. Inspectors looked at infection prevention and control measures because the home had been identified as a designated care setting for people discharged from hospital with a positive Covid-19 status.
The inspection covered the designated care unit on the second floor. It had 14 single rooms for people who had tested positive for Covid-19. Inspectors found that units were separated, dedicated staff supported people in isolation, and the environment was very clean.
Inspectors were assured that the home was managing admissions, visitors, testing, shielding, social distancing, personal protective equipment and possible outbreaks. No rating was given because this was a thematic review of infection prevention and control.
Separate care areas
The designated unit was separated from other units to help prevent cross infection. People had their own single rooms and access to toilets and bathing facilities.
“Each unit was separated to prevent cross infection.” from the report
Dedicated staff support
People isolating in the designated unit had dedicated staff supporting their care, meals and social needs.
“People isolating in the designated unit had their own dedicated staff who provided a support bubble to support all their needs, including their meals and social support.” from the report
Clean environment
Inspectors found the environment very clean, with extra cleaning of surfaces that people touched often.
“The environment was very clean. Additional cleaning was taking place including of frequently touched surfaces.” from the report
PPE and handwashing guidance
There was clear guidance about using PPE and washing hands, and staff had received infection control training.
“There was clear signage on the correct use of PPE and handwashing techniques and staff had received appropriate infection control and prevention training.” from the report
Visitor safety planning
The home had a detailed process for safe visits, including booking, health screening, social distancing and PPE. Visiting restrictions were in place at the time, with video calls used as an alternative.
“A detailed risk assessment was in place for ensuring safe visits, this included a booking system, to allow for social distancing, visitor agreement form, health screening and use of PPE.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01Are the separate units and dedicated staff arrangements still being used for people who test positive for Covid-19?
- 02How are visitors currently screened, booked and supported to use PPE?
- 03How often are frequently touched surfaces cleaned, and how is this recorded?
- 04How are staff members' individual health risks assessed and reviewed?
- 05What arrangements are in place for people who cannot receive visitors to keep in contact with relatives?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control in the designated care unit; no overall service rating was awarded and the other areas of care were not assessed. This explanation was written from the published report of 26 November 2020 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. Cecilia's Nursing Home
3 rated inspections over 3 years: the service has improved, from Requires improvement to Good.
- October 2021Goodcurrent ratingSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- November 2020Inspected but not ratedSafe: Inspected but not rated
- November 2020Inspected but not ratedSafe: Inspected but not rated
- June 2019Goodup from Requires improvementSafe: GoodWell-led: Requires improvement
- April 2018Requires improvementSafe: GoodEffective: Requires improvementCaring: Requires improvementResponsive: GoodWell-led: Requires improvement
- October 2016
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 25 October 2016.
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.
Weigh the report against the rest
Fees, photos and reviews from families
How to read CQC ratings and reports
What to check when you visit
28 live-in carers within about an hour of North Yorkshire
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 £1,010 to £1,290 a week. 27 can care for a couple. 12 years' experience on average.
“Carla has been a god send with the implementation of bringing mum back home from respite care.”
“She was always 'just present enough': attentive, available, kind and engaging, but without ever over-stepping any boundary”
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.