CQC report explained · a nursing home
What the CQC found at St Mark's Care Home
Rated Requires improvement: inspectors found the home was not performing as well as it should and told it what to change.
What inspectors found, March 2019
Rated Outstanding; inspectors found exceptional caring, responsive and well-led care, with safe and effective care rated Good.
This was an unannounced inspection on 16 January 2019. Inspectors spoke with people living in the home, relatives, staff and health professionals. They observed care and checked care records, staff files, medicines, audits and other records.
The home was rated Outstanding overall. Caring, Responsive and Well-led were rated Outstanding. Safe and Effective were rated Good. Inspectors found people were protected from avoidable harm, received good health support and were treated with kindness, dignity and respect.
Care was highly personal, especially for people with dementia. Inspectors found that people's choices shaped their care, activities and daily lives. End of life care was also described as outstanding, with pain managed quickly and staff given specialist training.
The previous rating, published in August 2016, was Good. This inspection found the overall service had improved to Outstanding. CQC said it would continue to monitor the home and plan future inspections.
Person-centred dementia care
Care was built around each person's history, interests, choices and abilities. The home created themed spaces, activities and gardens to support engagement and independence.
“Care was very person-centred and focused on ensuring people with dementia lived rewarding lives.” from the report
Kind and respectful staff
People and relatives gave consistently strong feedback about staff's compassion, patience and respect. Inspectors saw people being given choice and time to respond.
“People were truly respected and valued as individuals; and empowered as partners in their care in an exceptional service.” from the report
End of life support
Pain was managed quickly, staff had specialist training and relatives received information and bereavement support. Care plans and nursing care at the end of life were described as outstanding.
“Care for people at the end of their life was outstanding. Feedback from relatives and others about palliative care was glowing.” from the report
Strong improvement culture
Managers used audits, feedback and research to improve care. A hydration project increased fluid intake and was linked in the report with a fall in urinary tract infections.
“The service identified that further improvement could be made in the hydration of people, to prevent avoidable illnesses such as urinary tract infections.” from the report
Good safety systems
Risks were assessed, staffing was adjusted for people's needs and medicines were safely managed. Incidents were investigated and used for learning.
“The staffing deployment tool was effective in ensuring people's safety.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How do you assess whether staffing levels are right for my relative's needs, especially if those needs become more complex?
- 02How will you involve my relative and our family in writing and regularly reviewing their care plan?
- 03How do you monitor food and drink intake, and how are the hydration stations and reusable water bottles used?
- 04What end of life care, pain relief and bereavement support would be available for my relative and our family?
- 05How are complaints or concerns recorded, investigated and used to change care?
This was an unannounced comprehensive inspection covering all five rating areas, including the building and the care provided. This explanation was written from the published report of 7 March 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 Mark's Care Home
2 rated inspections over 3 years: the service has improved, from Good to Outstanding.
- March 2019Outstandingcurrent ratingup from GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: OutstandingResponsive: OutstandingWell-led: Outstanding
- August 2016GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- June 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- January 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- August 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- January 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- January 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- October 2010
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 1 October 2010.
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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83 live-in carers within about an hour of Windsor and Maidenhead
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 £1,260 a week. 76 can care for a couple. 12 years' experience on average.
“I can truly say that Peter always put Dad at the centre of everything and I know that they found a great friendship in difficult times.”
“Not only has she looked after him beautifully, she has also been great company for him with lively conversation, kindness and humour.”
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.