CQC report explained · a nursing home
What the CQC found at St Mary'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 2022
Inspected but not rated; inspectors found good infection control and support for visits, but this was not a full care-quality assessment.
Inspectors visited the home on 25 February 2022. The visit was announced 24 hours in advance and was part of checks during COVID-19 outbreaks.
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control. Inspectors also asked about staffing pressures and whether these affected care.
They found the home was clean, staff used protective equipment properly, testing and vaccination checks were in place, and people could keep in touch with relatives.
The service was inspected but not rated. This report does not give a rated judgement on the overall quality of care or on most of the five questions.
Infection prevention
Inspectors were assured that the home had arrangements to prevent and manage infection outbreaks.
“We were assured that the provider was making sure infection outbreaks can be effectively prevented or managed.” from the report
Clean environment
The home was clean and extra cleaning focused on surfaces that people touched often.
“The environment was clean. Additional cleaning was taking place, including of frequently touched surfaces.” from the report
Protective equipment
Staff had suitable protective equipment, training and regular checks to make sure supplies were available.
“Staff wore appropriate PPE and there were sufficient supplies.” from the report
Contact with relatives
People and relatives could keep in touch through technology, visits and a visiting pod.
“People and their relatives were supported to keep in contact using a range of technology as well as visits to the home and visiting pod situated within the grounds.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How are you currently managing staffing pressures, and have they affected people's care?
- 02How often are cleaning checks carried out, especially for frequently touched surfaces?
- 03What arrangements are currently available for visits from relatives?
- 04How do you make sure staff have enough protective equipment and follow the required training?
- 05What is the home's most recent full CQC rating for areas not covered by this targeted inspection?
This was an announced targeted inspection of infection prevention and control, with questions about staffing pressures; it was not a full inspection of all five key questions and the service was not rated. This explanation was written from the published report of 17 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, April 2020
St Mary's Care Home was rated Good in all areas; inspectors found safe, kind and personalised care.
This was an unannounced planned inspection after the service had a new registered provider. Inspectors visited on 07 January 2020 and 13 February 2020. They spoke with people, relatives, staff and a visiting health professional. They observed care, checked the building and reviewed care, medicine, recruitment and management records.
Inspectors found enough staff, safe recruitment, well-managed medicines and clean premises. Risks were assessed and accidents were reviewed for lessons. People were supported with food, health care, consent and communication. Staff received training and regular supervision.
People described staff as kind, respectful and friendly. Care plans were personalised and activities reflected people's interests. Complaints were investigated and people and relatives were asked for their views. The home was judged Good for Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led.
The previous rating was also Good, published on 16 October 2017. This inspection followed a change in registered provider, so the report says this was the first inspection under that change. CQC said it would continue monitoring information and could inspect sooner if concerns arose.
People felt safe
People and relatives said they felt safe. Staff understood safeguarding and risks were assessed and managed.
“People felt very safe living in the home and with the support they received from staff.” from the report
Kind and respectful care
People said staff listened and cared. Staff supported dignity, privacy, independence and important relationships.
“People were respected, listened to and well cared for.” from the report
Personalised support
Care plans described how people wanted to be supported and were updated when needs changed. Activities were linked to individual interests.
“Care plans were personalised and detailed how people wanted staff to support them.” from the report
Good management
The home had regular audits, meetings and surveys. Feedback was analysed and actions were completed.
“The provider and registered manager monitored the quality of the service to make sure they delivered a high standard of care and to drive improvement.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How would you assess and update my relative's care plan if their needs changed?
- 02How many staff would usually be on duty for my relative's needs, and how do you provide extra staff when needed?
- 03What activities and community visits could my relative take part in based on their interests and abilities?
- 04How would you support my relative with their particular health, dietary, communication or dementia needs?
- 05How are relatives involved in care decisions and kept informed about any concerns or changes?
This was a planned, unannounced inspection covering all five CQC questions after a change in registered provider; the previous rating was Good and was published on 16 October 2017. This explanation was written from the published report of 10 April 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 Mary's Care Home
Each visit the CQC has published, newest first, back to the day the home was registered.
- March 2022Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- April 2020GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- January 2019
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 15 January 2019.
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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35 live-in carers within about an hour of Middlesbrough
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 £980 to £1,230 a week. 31 can care for a couple. 9 years' experience on average.
“I found Alison to be kind , caring helpful concencious... Alison has a heart of gold”
“Petty introduced herself to Mum every time she was caring for her and responded very quickly to Mum if she was distressed in the night.”
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.