CQC report explained · a nursing home
What the CQC found at St Martin's Centre
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors were assured about most infection-control arrangements, including PPE, safe admissions, premises hygiene and managing outbreaks. They were only somewhat assured about access to testing for people and staff.
- Effective?
- Good
- This question was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
- Caring?
- Good
- This question was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
- Responsive?
- Outstanding
- This question was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
- Well-led?
- Good
- This question was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
What inspectors found, March 2022
St Martin's Centre was inspected but not rated; inspectors found good infection-control practice, but were only somewhat assured about testing arrangements.
This was an announced, targeted inspection on 11 February 2022. Inspectors looked at infection prevention and control, visiting arrangements, and whether COVID-19 staffing pressures affected people.
Inspectors found that staff used protective equipment safely, supported safe admissions, followed shielding and social distancing rules, and kept the premises clean. People and staff were also supported emotionally during the pandemic, and the staff team was stable.
The inspectors were only somewhat assured that the home was accessing testing for people and staff. They signposted the home to resources to develop its approach. The home was inspected but not rated, so this report does not give a Good, Requires Improvement or Inadequate rating.
Support during the pandemic
The home kept in regular contact with people shielding at home and created online activities to support their wellbeing.
“People's well-being had been considered throughout the pandemic.” from the report
Safe use of PPE
Inspectors found that staff used protective equipment effectively and adapted their approach to reduce anxiety for people.
“Staff were wearing PPE effectively and safely.” from the report
Consistent staff team
People were supported by a stable staff team throughout the pandemic. This consistency was reported to suit one person's needs.
“People had been supported by a stable and consistent staff team throughout the pandemic.” from the report
Infection-control arrangements
Inspectors were assured about visitors, social distancing, safe admissions, premises hygiene, outbreak management and the infection-control policy.
“We were assured that the provider was making sure infection outbreaks can be effectively prevented or managed.” from the report
Testing arrangements
needs fixingInspectors were only somewhat assured that the home was accessing testing for people and staff. They signposted the home to resources to develop its approach.
“We were somewhat assured that the provider was accessing testing for people using the service and staff.” from the report
- 01How do you arrange and record COVID-19 testing for people using the home and for staff?
- 02Which testing guidance does the home currently follow, given that inspectors said it was working towards two pieces of guidance?
- 03How would visiting be organised if our relative needed a visit at the home?
- 04How do you manage staffing pressures if staff are absent because of COVID-19?
- 05How do you adapt PPE use to minimise anxiety for each person?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control, visiting arrangements and COVID-19 staffing pressures; it did not rate the other four CQC questions. This explanation was written from the published report of 3 March 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, December 2018
St Martin's Centre is rated Good overall; inspectors found safe, kind and highly personalised care, with Outstanding responsiveness.
This was an inspection of the care, accommodation and management of the home. The inspector visited on 6 October 2018 and made follow-up calls on 13 October. They observed care, looked around the building, checked care records, staff recruitment files and management records, and spoke with people, relatives, staff and professionals.
The home provides residential and nursing care for up to nine young adults aged 18 to 25 with physical disabilities and associated learning disabilities. People stay for short overnight breaks rather than living there full time. Inspectors found safe medicines systems, enough staff, suitable facilities and staff who understood people's complex needs.
The overall rating was Good. Safe, Effective, Caring and Well-led were rated Good. Responsive was rated Outstanding. This means the inspection found a reliable service overall, with especially strong support that was flexible, individualised and focused on helping people take part in activities and live as they wished.
Highly personalised support
The home planned care around each person's wishes, communication and complex needs. Staff supported people to make choices and work towards personal goals.
“People were supported by staff who planned with them what their wishes and goals were.” from the report
Flexible short breaks
The home worked closely with families before stays and could change dates, extend stays or plan well ahead when families needed this.
“The service went above and beyond this aim. They were very flexible when families needed to change dates, extend stays or plan a long way in advance.” from the report
Safe care
Medicines, staffing, recruitment, fire safety and individual risk planning were all checked and found to be safe.
“People's medicines were managed safely. There were safe systems in place for the storage, administration and recording of medicines” from the report
Support for families
Relatives said the service gave them peace of mind and a regular break from caring. The home also provided ongoing emotional support to families.
“They said it gave them peace of mind to know their family member was being very well looked after by staff they trusted” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01What has changed since the 2018 inspection, including the managers, staff team and facilities?
- 02How would you assess and plan for my relative's specific health needs, such as epilepsy, swallowing difficulties, mobility or changes in mental health?
- 03How do you make sure staff understand my relative's preferred communication methods, routines, interests and emotional signs before a short break?
- 04What activities and community events could my relative take part in, and how would staffing levels support these safely?
- 05How do you keep families updated before, during and after a stay, and how can we request changes to dates or extend a stay?
This was an inspection of the overall service, including care, accommodation and management, with all five quality areas rated. This explanation was written from the published report of 15 December 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.
Every inspection of St Martin's Centre
2 rated inspections over 3 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- March 2022Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- December 2018Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: OutstandingWell-led: Good
- November 2015GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: OutstandingWell-led: Good
- October 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- December 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- June 2011
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 29 June 2011.
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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38 live-in carers within about an hour of Gloucestershire
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 £1,030 to £1,360 a week. 31 can care for a couple. 12 years' experience on average.
“She was very caring, kind and patient to all his needs, she built up a wondetful rapport with him, she was dedicated and was there for him through good times as well as through the tough times”
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.