CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Stone House
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- People said they felt safe. Inspectors found safe recruitment, enough staff, suitable risk assessments and medicines given by trained staff.
- Effective?
- Good
- People's health, nutrition and hydration needs were assessed and monitored. Staff had training to meet people's needs, including support for people living with dementia.
- Caring?
- Outstanding
- Staff formed meaningful relationships with people and showed exceptional kindness, patience and respect. People were supported to express their views and make choices.
- Responsive?
- Good
- Care plans reflected people's routines, interests and preferences. People had daily activities, social events, trips out and links with local community groups.
- Well-led?
- Good
- The manager and staff understood their roles and used audits, meetings and surveys to monitor and improve the service. People, relatives and staff were encouraged to share their views.
What inspectors found, July 2019
Rated Good overall; inspectors found outstandingly caring support and good standards for safety, effectiveness, responsiveness and leadership.
This was an unannounced inspection on 29 May 2019. One inspector spoke with 11 people living at the home, three relatives and five staff. They observed care and checked care plans, medicines records, training records and health and safety records.
The home supported 33 people at the time, although it could support up to 40. Inspectors found enough staff, safe medicine practices and suitable checks on risks. People received help with their health, food and drinks, and staff supported people to make choices.
The strongest area was caring, which was rated Outstanding. Inspectors saw staff treating people with kindness, dignity and respect. The other four areas were rated Good. The overall Good rating means the inspection found a reliable standard of care, with caring support judged exceptional.
Exceptionally kind care
Inspectors found staff treated people as individuals and built meaningful relationships with them. They saw staff respond patiently and compassionately when people became distressed.
“People and their relatives were exceptionally positive about the staff team and of the care and support they received.” from the report
People felt safe
People said they felt safe. Staff knew how to recognise and report abuse, risks were assessed, and staffing levels were reviewed as people's needs changed.
“People were supported by sufficient numbers of staff who were able to meet their needs and help keep them safe.” from the report
People's voices were heard
Staff used pictures, objects and easy-read information to help people who found communication difficult. They gave people time, choices and reassurance.
“Staff were exceptional at supporting people to have a voice and used various methods to help people who found it difficult to express their needs and preferences.” from the report
More activities
The report says activity staffing and opportunities had increased since the previous inspection. People could take part in daily activities, social events, trips and community activities.
“Since our last inspection the provision of activity staff and opportunities for people had increased.” from the report
Good leadership
The home had systems to check quality and act on shortfalls. Staff morale was good, and people, relatives and staff were invited to suggest improvements.
“There was a culture of continuous learning.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How are staffing levels changed when people's numbers or care needs increase?
- 02How will you continue the increased activities and trips described in the report?
- 03How often will my relative's care plan be reviewed, and how will I be involved?
- 04How do you support a person living with dementia who becomes distressed or finds communication difficult?
- 05How will you discuss and record my relative's wishes about end of life care?
This was an unannounced scheduled inspection covering the overall service and all five CQC questions; the previous inspection in September 2016 was also rated Good. This explanation was written from the published report of 5 July 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.
What inspectors found, November 2016
Stone House was rated Good in all five areas; inspectors found safe, kind and responsive care with systems to monitor quality.
This was an unannounced inspection on 26 September 2016. Two inspectors visited the home, spoke with people living there, visitors, staff and the registered manager, and checked records including one care plan, medicines information, accident reports and quality audits.
Inspectors found that people were protected from abuse and avoidable harm. There were enough staff, recruitment checks were completed, medicines were given safely, and staff received training and supervision. People were also supported with food, drink and healthcare.
People were treated kindly and with dignity. They were involved in care planning and activities, and complaints were listened to. The home had meetings for people and staff, and quality checks were used to identify and make improvements.
The overall rating was Good. Each of the five areas was also rated Good: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led.
Enough staff
People and visitors said staff were available when needed. Staffing levels were based on people's care needs and increased for trips.
“People told us there were always enough staff on duty to care for them.” from the report
Kind and respectful care
Inspectors saw staff respond attentively to people's needs and offer reassurance. Staff promoted privacy, dignity and independence during personal care.
“People were cared for by staff who treated them with kindness and compassion.” from the report
Activities and involvement
People were supported to take part in activities they enjoyed, including crafts, exercise, trips and church services. They were also involved in assessing and planning their care.
“People told us they were supported by staff to do the things they liked and had access to a variety of social activities.” from the report
Quality monitoring
The provider used audits and meetings to check care, medicines, hygiene and dignity. Feedback from people and staff could lead to changes.
“The provider had systems in place to monitor the quality of the service provided to people.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How many staff are on duty now, and how do you adjust staffing when people's needs change or when trips are planned?
- 02How do you make sure medicines are given safely and that staff remain trained to administer them?
- 03How often will my relative's care plan be reviewed, and how will I be involved in changes?
- 04What activities are available, and how do you support someone who is reluctant to join in?
- 05How can residents and relatives raise concerns, and how will the home record and respond to them?
This was an unannounced comprehensive inspection of the overall quality of the home and all five rating areas, based partly on one care plan and other records. This explanation was written from the published report of 17 November 2016 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 Stone House
2 rated inspections over 3 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- July 2019Goodcurrent ratingstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: OutstandingResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- November 2016GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- October 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- July 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- August 2011
Report published without a new overall rating.
- November 2010
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 24 November 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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57 live-in carers within about an hour of Shropshire
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 £960 to £1,230 a week. 52 can care for a couple. 9 years' experience on average.
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