CQC report explained · a nursing home
What the CQC found at Stapleton House
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- People were protected from abuse and avoidable harm. Inspectors found safe recruitment, enough staff, safe medicines management, effective infection control and regular risk assessments.
- Effective?
- Good
- This question was not separately rated in the report.
- Caring?
- Good
- This question was not separately rated in the report, although people and relatives gave positive feedback about the care and involvement in care planning.
- Responsive?
- Good
- This question was not separately rated in the report.
- Well-led?
- Good
- The manager and regional manager carried out audits and checks, acted on feedback and kept people, relatives and staff involved. Inspectors found a positive and supportive staff culture.
What inspectors found, September 2023
Rated Good; inspectors found safe, well-managed care and the Safe rating improved from Requires Improvement.
The inspection visits took place on 30 May and 8 June 2023. One inspector visited without warning. They spoke with the manager, staff and relatives, and checked care records, medicines records, staff files and management records.
The home was rated Good overall. Safe was rated Good, improving from Requires Improvement at the previous inspection. Well-led remained Good. Inspectors found enough staff, safe recruitment, suitable medicines systems, effective infection control and proper action to reduce risks.
People and relatives spoke positively about the care. Inspectors found that people were involved in care planning, staff supported their independence and the manager used audits, feedback and investigations to improve the service.
Safe staffing and recruitment
Inspectors found enough staff to meet people's needs. Recruitment checks included identification, work history, references and DBS checks.
“Staff were recruited safely and there was enough staff to safely support people.” from the report
Safe medicines
Medicines were checked regularly, stored securely and given by staff whose skills were assessed.
“Medicines were managed safely. The registered manager carried out regular checks on people's medicines” from the report
Personalised care
People and relatives were involved in care planning. Staff supported independence and helped maintain people's interests and passions.
“Staff ensured people living in the service were happy with the environment and found ways to promote their independence” from the report
Good management
The management team used audits, feedback and investigations to identify improvements and share learning with staff.
“Results from investigations, feedback sessions and audits were used to improve the quality of the service.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How will you assess and review my relative's physical, mental health and complex care needs?
- 02How will you support my relative's independence, interests and preferred daily routines?
- 03How will you involve our family in care planning and respond to our feedback?
- 04How often will my relative's medicines be reviewed, and how are staff checked as competent to administer them?
- 05What staffing levels will be available for my relative's needs, including at night?
The inspection report gives ratings for Safe and Well-led; it does not give separate ratings for Effective, Caring or Responsive. This explanation was written from the published report of 2 September 2023 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, March 2022
Stapleton House was inspected but not rated; inspectors were assured about infection control and visiting arrangements during the COVID-19 pandemic.
This was an announced, targeted inspection on 16 February 2022. It looked at infection prevention and control, visiting arrangements, and whether staffing pressures were affecting care.
Inspectors found good practice. The home had identified and managed COVID-19 risks, used personal protective equipment properly, carried out regular testing, and followed government guidance.
Visitors were required to provide a negative lateral flow test. Professional visitors had to show evidence of vaccination. People were supported to visit relatives and access the local community.
The home was inspected but not rated. This was not a full inspection of the five key areas, so it does not provide an overall quality rating.
COVID-19 risk management
The registered manager had identified and managed risks linked to COVID-19. The home monitored whether guidance and its own policies were being followed.
“The registered manager had identified, assessed and mitigated all COVID-19 related risks to people, staff and visitors.” from the report
Infection control
Inspectors were assured that PPE, testing, hygiene, social distancing and infection outbreak arrangements were being managed appropriately.
“We were assured that the provider was making sure infection outbreaks can be effectively prevented or managed.” from the report
Visiting and community access
People could visit relatives and access the local community, with risk assessments in place to manage possible COVID-19 risks.
“People were encouraged and supported to leave the service to visit relatives or access the local community.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How are you managing staffing pressures now, and what effect do they have on people's care?
- 02What infection control and testing arrangements are currently in place for staff, visitors and residents?
- 03Can relatives still visit in residents' rooms or communal areas, and what requirements apply?
- 04How do you assess and manage risks when residents leave the home to visit relatives or access the community?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control, visiting arrangements and COVID-19-related staffing pressures; the service was inspected but not rated overall. This explanation was written from the published report of 23 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.
Every inspection of Stapleton House
3 rated inspections over 8 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- September 2023Goodcurrent ratingSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- March 2022Inspected but not ratedSafe: Inspected but not rated
- December 2017Goodstayed GoodSafe: Requires improvementWell-led: Good
- October 2015GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- October 2014
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 6 October 2014.
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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39 live-in carers within about an hour of South Tyneside
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 £950 to £1,140 a week. 34 can care for a couple. 10 years' experience on average.
“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.