CQC report explained · a nursing home
What the CQC found at Station House
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
What inspectors found, February 2022
Inspected but not rated; inspectors found comprehensive COVID-19 infection control arrangements at Station House.
This was an announced, targeted inspection on 24 January 2022. Inspectors looked at infection prevention and control, visiting arrangements, and whether COVID-19 staffing pressures affected care.
Inspectors found comprehensive COVID-19 policies and procedures. They were assured that the home managed visitors, testing, PPE, admissions, social distancing, cleaning, outbreaks and visits safely.
The home used separate zones for different groups of people and had separate areas for putting on and removing PPE. Staff were observed wearing PPE correctly. The service was inspected but not rated, so this report does not give a new overall quality rating.
COVID-19 planning
The home had detailed policies for managing risks from the pandemic, including when people had tested positive.
“The home had comprehensive policies and procedures to manage any risks associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.” from the report
Testing and entry checks
People living at the home, staff, essential carers and visitors were included in regular testing. Visitors also faced screening checks before entering.
“A programme of regular COVID-19 testing for both people in the home, staff, essential carers and visitors to the home was implemented.” from the report
PPE and zoning
There was enough PPE and hand sanitiser, and inspectors saw staff using PPE correctly. Separate zones and staff areas were used to reduce the risk of infection spreading.
“Zoning was in place and the home was split into two distinct areas to minimise risk of spreading infection.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How are you currently managing COVID-19 testing for residents, staff and visitors?
- 02What screening checks and visiting arrangements are currently in place?
- 03How do you manage staffing pressures when staff are absent because of COVID-19?
- 04Are the separate zones and PPE areas still being used, and how do they work for residents living with dementia?
- 05How do your current infection control arrangements support my relative's specific care needs?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control, visiting arrangements and COVID-19 staffing pressures; it was not a full inspection of all five quality areas. This explanation was written from the published report of 11 February 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, October 2019
Station House was rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and well-organised care, but agency staffing and care-plan involvement were not always consistent.
This was an unannounced inspection on 16 and 17 September 2019. The inspection team spoke with people living at the home, relatives, staff and a visiting professional. They observed care and reviewed care plans, medicines records, staff files and management records.
The overall rating was Good, with Good ratings for Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. Inspectors found that people were protected from avoidable harm, received their medicines safely, had access to healthcare and activities, and were treated with dignity and respect.
The report also identified some weaknesses. There was a high use of agency staff, which affected continuity for some people. Not everyone was involved in developing or reviewing their care plan, and the building needed better signs and more dementia-friendly design features.
The previous inspection had rated the service Requires Improvement and found multiple breaches. At this inspection, inspectors found enough improvement and said the provider was no longer in breach of regulations.
Safe medicines and environment
Medicines were administered by trained staff and were safely ordered, stored, given and disposed of. Inspectors also found the home clean and free from offensive smells.
“Medicines were ordered, stored, administered and disposed of safely.” from the report
Kind and respectful care
People and relatives described staff as kind and caring. Inspectors saw staff being polite, attentive and respectful of privacy and dignity.
“Staff interacted with people in a natural and familiar way. They were polite, courteous and attentive to people's needs.” from the report
Activities and relationships
People had access to a range of activities and were encouraged to maintain contact with relatives and friends.
“A variety of activities were available daily for people to participate in.” from the report
Improved management oversight
The provider had introduced effective audits and used accident and incident reviews to reduce future risks. This addressed the previous governance concerns.
“Auditing processes were clear and effective with the registered manager and management team undertaking a range of checks.” from the report
High use of agency staff
needs fixingPeople said that the high level of agency staffing affected continuity of care. The management team was trying to recruit permanent staff and used regular agency workers where possible.
“There was a high level of agency use that people told us affected some of the continuity of care.” from the report
Care-plan involvement
needs fixingNot everyone was involved in developing or reviewing their care plan. This applied particularly to some people staying at the home temporarily, although managers began addressing it during the inspection.
“Not everyone we spoke to had been involved in the development and review of their care plan.” from the report
Signs and dementia-friendly design
minorInspectors said the building needed more signs to help people find bedrooms and social areas. They also suggested more colour, natural light and features to support independence for people living with dementia.
“The home would benefit from additional signage to aid people's orientation around the building in particular people's bedrooms and social areas.” from the report
- 01How much agency staff are currently being used, and how do you make sure residents have continuity of care?
- 02How are residents and relatives involved in developing and reviewing care plans?
- 03What changes have been made to signage and the environment for people living with dementia?
- 04How do you make sure night staff understand each resident's routines, preferences and care needs?
- 05How are audits and accident reviews used to identify and reduce risks?
This was an unannounced planned inspection of the care home, including its premises and care, and it assessed all five CQC questions. This explanation was written from the published report of 22 October 2019 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 Station House
4 rated inspections over 3 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- February 2022Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- October 2019Goodup from Requires improvementSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- September 2018Requires improvementup from InadequateSafe: Requires improvementEffective: GoodCaring: Requires improvementResponsive: GoodWell-led: Requires improvement
- September 2017Inadequatedown from GoodSafe: InadequateEffective: Requires improvementCaring: Requires improvementResponsive: InadequateWell-led: Inadequate
- September 2016GoodSafe: Requires improvementEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- July 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- February 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- December 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- June 2011
Report published without a new overall rating.
- January 2011
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 25 January 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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