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CQC report explained · a nursing home

What the CQC found at St James' Park Care Home

Goodpublished 7 January 2025, 21 months ago

Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.

The latest report, explained

What inspectors found, September 2020

Inspected but not rated; inspectors found good infection control arrangements during the coronavirus pandemic.

This was an announced, targeted inspection on 6 August 2020. Inspectors looked only at infection prevention and control measures as part of a coronavirus pandemic review.

Inspectors were assured that the home used personal protective equipment safely, followed shielding and social distancing rules, supported safe admissions, arranged testing, and kept its infection control policy up to date.

Staff received regular guidance and training. The home had two infection control leads, supported activities and family contact safely, and kept people, staff and relatives informed about its precautions.

The home was inspected but not rated. This report does not give an overall quality rating or ratings for the other four areas.

What inspectors praised
  • Infection control guidance

    Staff followed current infection prevention and control guidance. The provider kept staff updated through an app and regular bulletins.

    “The staff were following up to date infection prevention and control guidance to help people to stay safe.” from the report
  • Dedicated infection control leads

    Two members of the staff team led on infection control. Inspectors said this helped housekeeping and care staff work together.

    “There were two infection control leads in the staff team.” from the report
  • Pandemic training and support

    Staff received training on keeping people safe during the pandemic, as well as support for their emotional wellbeing.

    “The provider had also ensured staff had access to training about their emotional response to the pandemic and counselling support.” from the report
  • Safe activities and family contact

    People were offered one-to-one activities and supported to use communal areas safely. Staff helped people keep in touch with relatives by phone and video calls.

    “Staff helped people to stay in touch with family and friends through phone and video calls.” from the report
  • Communication

    The manager regularly communicated with people, staff and families about the precautions being taken.

    “The manager was communicating with people, staff and family members regularly to make sure everyone had an understanding of precautions being taken, and how to keep people safe.” from the report
What inspectors were concerned about

Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.

Questions to ask them, based on this report
  1. 01How are the infection prevention and control arrangements described in this report being maintained now?
  2. 02How do you currently arrange visits from family and friends, and what safety measures are required?
  3. 03How often are staff tested, and how are people admitted safely if they are new to the home?
  4. 04What activities are available for people who stay in their rooms, and how do you support safe use of communal areas?
  5. 05Who are the current infection control leads, and what training do staff receive?

This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control measures during the coronavirus pandemic; the service was inspected but not rated and the other areas were not assessed. This explanation was written from the published report of 2 September 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.

An earlier report, explained

What inspectors found, April 2018

Rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and personalised care, with minor issues about night agency staff and drinks cups.

This was the home’s first inspection since it changed provider in December 2017. The inspection was unannounced on 22 February 2018 and continued on 23 February 2018 by arrangement.

Inspectors spoke with people living in the home, relatives, staff and managers. They looked at care files, medicines records, staff files, complaints, audits and meeting records. They also observed care, checked the building and used information from other organisations.

All five areas were rated Good: safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led. This means the inspectors found the home meeting the relevant standards at the time of the inspection, although they did identify a small number of matters for the manager to address.

What inspectors praised
  • People felt safe

    People and relatives told inspectors they felt safe. Staff knew how to recognise and report abuse, and risks such as falls, nutrition and skin damage were assessed and managed.

    “People felt safe at the home and with the staff who supported them.” from the report
  • Skilled staff

    Inspectors found that staff had the training, knowledge and support needed for their roles. Nurses monitored people's health needs and staff worked with other professionals.

    “People received effective care from staff who were knowledgeable, skilled, confident and well trained in their practice.” from the report
  • Kind and respectful care

    Staff were patient and compassionate, including when people needed extra time or found communication difficult. People were offered choices and treated with dignity.

    “People were supported by staff who were kind and caring.” from the report
  • Personalised support

    Care plans included people's needs, wishes, communication methods, preferences and lifestyle choices. Activities were based on people's interests, and end-of-life wishes were recorded.

    “Care plans reflected each person as an individual and their wishes in regard of their care and support.” from the report
  • Open management

    Staff said managers were available and supportive. The home used audits, feedback, meetings and investigations to identify improvements.

    “The home was well led by an experienced registered manager and management team.” from the report
What inspectors were concerned about
  • Night agency staff

    needs fixing

    Some people were concerned about night agency staff entering bedrooms and turning on lights. The manager said this would be addressed immediately.

    “Some people raised concerns in regards night agency staff, entering rooms and putting lights on at night.” from the report
  • Plastic drinks beakers

    minor

    People were mainly offered plastic beakers even when there was no identified reason why they could not use china cups. The manager said china cups and saucers were being purchased.

    “However we noted people were mainly offered drinks in plastic beakers regardless if there were no risks to them having a china cup.” from the report
  • Named nurse system was unclear

    minor

    Some people did not understand the named nurse system, although relatives said they knew how it worked. Ask how people and families are now told who their main contact is.

    “However we asked some people what this meant to them as the named nurse information was available in their rooms, people did not seen to know.” from the report
Questions to ask them, based on this report
  1. 01How are the staff vacancies being covered now, and how often are agency staff used?
  2. 02What action was taken about agency staff entering bedrooms and turning on lights at night?
  3. 03Have china cups and saucers replaced the mainly plastic beakers?
  4. 04How are residents and relatives told who their named nurse or main contact is?
  5. 05What changes has the new provider made since taking over the home on 15 December 2017?

This was a comprehensive inspection of all five CQC questions and included the premises and care; it was the first inspection since the transfer to the new provider. This explanation was written from the published report of 4 April 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 story over the years

Every inspection of St James' Park Care Home

Each visit the CQC has published, newest first, back to the day the home was registered.

  1. September 2020Inspected but not ratedcurrent rating
    Safe: Inspected but not rated

    Read what inspectors found at St James' Park Care Home →

  2. April 2018Good
    Safe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good

    Read what inspectors found at St James' Park Care Home →

  3. January 2017

    Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 31 January 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.

Next steps

Weigh the report against the rest

Care at home

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Most charge £1,040 to £1,340 a week. 11 can care for a couple. 10 years' experience on average.

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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.