CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at St Matthew Road
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
What inspectors found, March 2021
St Matthew Road: inspectors found good infection control, but the service was inspected but not rated.
This was an announced, targeted inspection on 11 February 2021. It looked at infection prevention and control during the coronavirus pandemic, rather than the whole service.
Inspectors found that visitors were checked, PPE was used, staff had infection control training, and cleaning schedules were in place. The home had remained free of Covid 19 at the time of the inspection and had plans for managing a possible outbreak.
People were supported to keep in touch with relatives by telephone and social media. The home also supported daily walks, activities and attendance at day centres for people who could continue to go.
The service was inspected but not rated. This means the report does not provide an overall quality rating or ratings for most of the five areas inspectors usually consider.
Infection control
Inspectors found that visitors were screened, PPE was used, testing was accessed and cleaning arrangements were in place.
“We were assured that the provider was using PPE effectively and safely.” from the report
Outbreak planning
The home had contingency plans and had tested changes to staffing, isolation, bathrooms and laundry after a possible Covid 19 contact.
“The registered manager told us this had been a helpful exercise to see what worked and did not work and what would need to be changed if they had an outbreak.” from the report
Contact with families
Staff supported people to keep in touch with relatives through telephone calls and social media while visits were restricted.
“Staff confirmed that people were supported to maintain contact with relatives by social media or telephone.” from the report
Activities and exercise
People could continue with activities such as jigsaws and using iPads, and some people attended day centres or went for daily walks.
“A number of people had jigsaws they were doing, some enjoyed using iPads and there was a walking treadmill to ensure people could exercise daily.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01What is the home's current process for visits, including testing, PPE and social distancing?
- 02What would happen if a resident or staff member tested positive for Covid 19?
- 03How does the home support residents to see or contact their families now?
- 04What is the latest full CQC rating for the home, since this inspection was only about infection prevention and control?
- 05How are cleaning schedules and bedroom deep cleans recorded now?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control only; the service was inspected but not rated and the other areas were not assessed. This explanation was written from the published report of 16 March 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, October 2018
Rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and personalised care, with strong support for independence and managing anxiety.
The inspection visit took place on 29 August 2018 and was announced 24 hours in advance. One inspector observed care, spoke with people, relatives, staff and professionals, and checked care plans, medicines records, staff files, rotas, training and quality records.
The home supported up to 10 people with learning disabilities and some physical or sensory disabilities. Inspectors found enough trained staff, safe medicines management, detailed risk assessments and a clean, well-maintained environment. Staff supported people to make choices, stay healthy and manage anxiety.
People, relatives and professionals described staff as kind, knowledgeable and responsive. Care plans reflected people's routines, communication needs and goals. The home was rated Good in all five areas and overall. It was also rated Good at the previous inspection in December 2016, although there was a new provider.
Personalised support
Care plans were built around each person's needs, goals, routines and preferences. Staff used detailed communication guidance to help people feel understood and less anxious.
“Each support file was specific to the person and emphasised their preferences and routines, which were important to them.” from the report
Kind and respectful staff
People had strong relationships with staff and were treated with dignity. Staff respected personal space and encouraged people to do more for themselves.
“Staff ensured that people's dignity and privacy was respected and promoted.” from the report
Support for independence
People were helped to develop practical and community skills, including cooking, travelling independently and taking part in activities.
“They encourage building skills and most important work with people to overcome worries and feel more confident.” from the report
Good management
Managers completed regular audits, listened to people's views and acted on suggestions. Staff described a supportive team culture.
“There was a team working culture and positive changes had been introduced by the new provider.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How do you assess and update risk plans for anxiety, epilepsy, falls, transport and medicines?
- 02What specialist training will staff have for my relative's autism, communication and health needs?
- 03How will my relative be involved in decisions about food, activities, personal space and their care plan?
- 04How do you support people to build independence and manage anxiety in the community?
- 05How are relatives kept informed about changes in wellbeing, care or support needs?
This was a planned inspection covering all five CQC questions, including care, the premises and the way the home was managed. This explanation was written from the published report of 26 October 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 Matthew Road
Each visit the CQC has published, newest first, back to the day the home was registered.
- March 2021Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- October 2018GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- October 2017
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 1 October 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.
Weigh the report against the rest
Fees, photos and reviews from families
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19 live-in carers within about an hour of East Sussex
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 £1,000 to £1,400 a week. 13 can care for a couple. 10 years' experience on average.
“When he point blank refused to go into hospital for a life saving blood transfusion she talked him through the situation and agreed to go in the ambulance with him and stayed until he was settled.”
“Una felt safe, secure and loved in her time with Debbie which is a gift that I am eternally grateful for.”
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.