CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Station Road
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- People said they felt safe. Inspectors found that risks, medicines, staffing checks, accidents and infection prevention were managed safely.
- Effective?
- Good
- Staff received training, supervision and appraisals. People were supported with their health, diet, independence, care planning and access to healthcare services.
- Caring?
- Good
- Staff treated people with kindness, dignity and respect. People were involved in decisions, supported to be independent and helped to try new experiences.
- Responsive?
- Good
- Care plans reflected people's preferences, routines and communication needs. People were supported to follow hobbies, maintain family contact and raise concerns.
- Well-led?
- Good
- The home had a person-centred culture and regular checks to monitor care quality. Staff felt supported, and the manager worked with families and outside professionals.
What inspectors found, February 2023
Middleton St George Healthcare Limited is Rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and personalised care with effective management.
The inspection visit took place on 10 January 2023, with inspection activity continuing until 23 January. One inspector visited the home and an Expert by Experience telephoned relatives. Inspectors spoke with one person, one relative and three staff members, and reviewed care, medicine, recruitment and management records.
All five areas were rated Good: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. Inspectors found that medicines and risks were managed safely, staff were trained and supported, and people were helped to maintain their health and independence.
People said staff were caring and that they felt safe. Care was personalised, families were kept informed, and people were supported with activities and interests. The home had systems to monitor quality and respond to feedback. The overall Good rating was unchanged from the previous inspection, published in October 2017.
People felt safe
People told inspectors they felt safe. Staff understood how to recognise and report abuse, and individual risks were assessed and reviewed.
“Yes, I feel safe. I like living here, the staff know me well” from the report
Personalised support
Staff knew people's needs, life histories and preferences. Care plans recorded people's choices, routines, likes and dislikes.
“People's care was personalised. Staff knew people's needs, life histories and preferences well.” from the report
Choice and independence
People were encouraged to make their own decisions and develop skills. They could personalise their rooms, choose meals and take part in activities.
“People had the opportunity to try new experiences, develop new skills and gain independence.” from the report
Supportive leadership
Staff said they felt supported, and the home used audits, meetings and feedback to monitor and improve care.
“The registered manager carried out a range of checks and audits to monitor and improve the quality of the care and support people received.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How would you support my relative's specific mental health needs and update their care plan?
- 02How would you help my relative develop independence and take part in activities they enjoy?
- 03How are relatives involved in decisions about care and kept informed about changes?
- 04How do you monitor medicines and make sure staff remain trained and competent to administer them?
- 05What health professionals and community activities could my relative access while living here?
This was an announced inspection covering all five CQC questions, including infection prevention and control; the report says the previous rating was Good in 2017 and all ratings remained Good. This explanation was written from the published report of 11 February 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, October 2017
Station Road: Rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind care and strong support for independence.
This was an announced inspection on 2 October 2017. One inspector reviewed records, looked around the home, observed care, and spoke with one person, two support staff, the registered manager and a consultant psychiatrist. One person did not wish to speak with the inspector.
The home supported up to three people with mental health problems. Two people lived there at the time. Inspectors found safe medicines practice, suitable risk assessments, trained staff, clean premises and enough staff to meet people's needs.
All five areas were rated Good: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. The home was also rated Good at the previous inspection in September 2015, and inspectors said it continued to meet all required regulations.
Safe medicines and risk planning
The home had clear medicines procedures and individual records. Risks were assessed and plans were put in place to reduce them.
“We found appropriate arrangements were in place for the safe administration and storage of medicines.” from the report
Support for independence
People were supported to cook, shop, use public transport and take part in community activities. Inspectors said these skills had increased since the previous inspection.
“We found that people were encouraged and supported to take responsible risks and positive risk-taking practices were followed.” from the report
Respectful care
Staff knew people's needs and preferences and were seen treating them with dignity. They asked permission before sitting with people or entering bedrooms.
“We saw positive interactions between staff and people throughout our inspection.” from the report
Checks and feedback
The manager used audits, meetings and feedback to monitor the home and act on issues. Inspectors found evidence that identified actions were followed through.
“We found the registered manager had carried out a number of quality assurance checks to monitor and improve standards at the service.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How will you support my relative to build or maintain independence through cooking, shopping, public transport and community activities?
- 02How do you manage staffing when the usual staff member is on leave or off sick, particularly as staff may work alone?
- 03How will you involve my relative and our family in care plans, risk assessments and decisions about support?
- 04How would you support my relative during a move from hospital care towards living in the community?
- 05How are medicines, health appointments and changes in mental or physical health monitored and shared with families?
This was an announced inspection covering all five CQC areas; the overall and question ratings were Good and carried over as Good from the previous inspection in September 2015. This explanation was written from the published report of 19 October 2017 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 Road
3 rated inspections over 7 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- February 2023Goodcurrent ratingstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- October 2017Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- October 2015GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- September 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- June 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- May 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- December 2010
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 10 December 2010.
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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36 live-in carers within about an hour of Darlington
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 £970 to £1,230 a week. 35 can care for a couple. 11 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.