CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at St Paul's Care Home
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- People were protected from abuse and assessed risks. There were enough staff and safe recruitment arrangements, although some medicines had not been dated when opened.
- Effective?
- Good
- Staff had suitable training and supervision. People's nutrition and health needs were supported, but advice about modified food and fluids for one person at risk of choking was not followed or recorded clearly at the time.
- Caring?
- Good
- People and relatives described staff as kind and caring. Staff respected privacy and dignity, listened to preferences and supported independence.
- Responsive?
- Good
- Care was individualised and people could take part in activities or choose to spend time alone. Complaints were handled under the provider's policy and end of life wishes were recorded.
- Well-led?
- Good
- The manager was visible and approachable, and people, relatives and staff felt listened to. Quality checks were in place, but some environmental audits had not been carried out regularly or robustly.
What inspectors found, November 2018
Rated Good; inspectors found kind, safe and person-centred care, with minor medicine and care-record issues addressed after the visit.
This was an unannounced comprehensive inspection on 8 October 2018. Inspectors spoke with people living at the home, relatives and staff. They reviewed care records, medicine records, staff files and checks on quality and safety.
The home was rated Good overall and Good in all five areas: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. Inspectors found enough staff, safe recruitment, suitable training and good support with nutrition, health needs and decision-making.
People were described as receiving kind and respectful care. Staff knew people's preferences, supported independence and provided activities. The management was visible and used checks and feedback to monitor the service.
There were some minor concerns. Some medicine bottles had not been dated when opened. Advice about food and fluids for one person at risk of choking was not being followed or recorded clearly. The home provided evidence that these issues had been addressed after the inspection.
Kind and respectful care
People and relatives consistently spoke positively about staff. Inspectors saw people being treated with dignity and supported in a considerate way.
“People were supported by staff who were kind and caring, and showed a good knowledge of their preferences and choices.” from the report
Individual care
Care plans contained detailed guidance about people's communication, mobility, nutrition and personal care. Staff understood people's changing needs.
“People were provided with individualised person-centred care from staff who knew their needs.” from the report
Good support with health and nutrition
Staff monitored weight and health needs, offered meal choices and involved health professionals when needed.
“People's nutritional needs were well managed and people received diets appropriate to their needs.” from the report
Visible management
The manager was known to people, relatives and staff and was seen providing direct care. The home used feedback and quality checks to improve services.
“There was an open and transparent culture in the service where people were listened to and staff were valued.” from the report
Medicine labelling
needs fixingSome bottles of medicines had not been dated when opened, which could make it harder to know whether they were still within the correct use period. The manager provided evidence of action after the inspection.
“Some medicines should be used within a specific time frame once opened, and we found some bottles of medicines had not been dated when opened.” from the report
Choking risk information
seriousAdvice from the speech and language therapy team about modified food and fluids was not being followed at the time. Changes had not been recorded in the care plan or discussed with the team, but this was addressed afterwards.
“However, during our inspection we saw this advice was not being followed.” from the report
- 01How do you now make sure medicine bottles are dated when opened, and how is this checked?
- 02How would you manage food and fluid advice for someone at risk of choking, including when they choose not to follow professional advice?
- 03What information would be recorded in the care plan after a change to a person's diet or health support?
- 04How often are environmental audits now completed, and how are any repairs or improvements followed up?
- 05What is the current staffing arrangement, including the use of agency nurses at night?
This was an unannounced comprehensive inspection covering all five CQC questions and the overall rating. This explanation was written from the published report of 2 November 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 Paul's Care Home
Each visit the CQC has published, newest first, back to the day the home was registered.
- November 2018Goodcurrent ratingSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- April 2017
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 4 April 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
How to read CQC ratings and reports
What to check when you visit
9 live-in carers within about an hour of Lincolnshire
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.
8 can care for a couple. 10 years' experience on average.
“Martin was more than a carer, he managed the home and became my uncle's best friend, enriching his life during his last few years.”
“Magda was always positive and proactive about trying new things to keep dad busy. She also introduced new ideas for keeping dad healthy.”
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.