CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Suillean House
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors were assured that infection risks were being managed, including visitors, testing, protective equipment, admissions, hygiene and outbreak management.
- Effective?
- Good
- This was not assessed in this inspection.
- Caring?
- Good
- This was not assessed in this inspection.
- Responsive?
- Good
- This was not assessed in this inspection.
- Well-led?
- Good
- This was not assessed in this inspection.
What inspectors found, December 2020
Inspected but not rated; inspectors found good infection control during a COVID-19 outbreak, but did not assess the wider quality of care.
This was a targeted inspection on 7 December 2020. It looked at infection prevention and control because the home had experienced a COVID-19 outbreak. The inspection was announced on the day.
Inspectors found that visitors were screened and wore protective equipment. People and staff had regular COVID-19 testing, and there were enough supplies such as masks, gloves, aprons and hand sanitiser.
The recent outbreak had been managed safely. Staff and people who tested positive or had symptoms isolated in line with guidance. The home also helped people keep in touch with relatives by telephone, social media and video links.
The service was inspected but not rated. This report does not give an overall rating or assess areas such as caring, effectiveness, responsiveness or leadership.
Outbreak management
The home used its plans safely during a recent COVID-19 outbreak. People and staff isolated in line with government guidance.
“A recent outbreak of COVID- 19 at the service had been managed well and the plans in place to support people had been utilised safely.” from the report
Protective equipment and testing
The home had sufficient protective equipment, and people and staff were receiving regular COVID-19 tests.
“Sufficient stocks of PPE were in place including masks, gloves, aprons, hand sanitiser and visors.” from the report
Keeping families in touch
Although visits had stopped during the outbreak, the home supported contact through calls, social media and video links.
“People were supported to keep in touch with their relatives via telephone calls, social media or video links.” from the report
Clear communication
The home had a communication programme to update people, staff and relatives about COVID-19 issues.
“The registered manager and deputy manager had a clear communication programme in place for people, staff and relatives to keep them updated with issues related to COVID- 19.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01What infection prevention and control arrangements are in place now, and how have they changed since December 2020?
- 02How are visitors currently screened, and what protective equipment or other precautions are required?
- 03How are relatives supported to visit or keep in touch if visiting is restricted?
- 04What testing arrangements are currently used for people living in the home and staff?
- 05How would the home safely manage a new outbreak or readmission from hospital?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control during the COVID-19 pandemic; the service was inspected but not rated and the other quality areas were not assessed. This explanation was written from the published report of 30 December 2020 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, September 2018
Suillean House was rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and person-centred care with effective management.
This was an announced comprehensive inspection on 23 May 2018. One inspector spoke with three people living in the home, three support staff and the registered manager. They also checked support records, recruitment files, medicines, training, complaints and quality checks.
Inspectors found that people were safe and that there were enough staff to meet their needs. Medicines were managed safely. The home was clean, and staff understood safeguarding and people’s individual risks.
People were supported to make choices about their care, meals, routines and activities. Staff were described and observed as kind, respectful and attentive. Support plans were reviewed, healthcare was arranged when needed, and relatives could give feedback.
All five areas were rated Good. The overall Good rating stayed the same as at the previous inspection. Caring had previously been rated Outstanding, but the report says the change to Good reflected changes in inspection standards and did not indicate a decline in care.
Safe medicines
Medicines records were complete and up to date. Inspectors found evidence that people received medicines at the prescribed time.
“Medicines administration records were fully completed and up to date, providing evidence that people received their medicines at the prescribed time.” from the report
Respectful care
Staff gave people privacy, space and time to respond. They were attentive to people’s comfort and feelings rather than simply completing tasks.
“Staff were not task driven, but clearly had the wellbeing of people using the service at the centre of their daily routines.” from the report
Choice and independence
People chose their meals, where to eat, their routines and activities. Staff supported people to make decisions in the least restrictive way possible.
“People are supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff support them in the least restrictive way possible” from the report
Staff skills and training
Staff had an induction, training, supervision and competency checks. New staff worked alongside experienced staff before working alone.
“All staff were monitored to make certain their training was kept up to date, ensuring practices and knowledge were current.” from the report
Quality checks
The home used regular audits and feedback from people and relatives to monitor care, safety and the environment.
“The service had quality assurance systems in place that monitored the quality of the service provided and also of the safety of all support as well as the premises.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How will you support my relative’s particular communication needs, including any use of signs, gestures or other communication methods?
- 02How are people’s individual goals and preferred activities reviewed, and what happens when staffing is not available for a planned activity?
- 03How will you involve my relative and our family in reviewing the support plan and any changes in needs or choices?
- 04How are Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards arrangements reviewed to make sure they remain relevant and appropriate?
- 05How will you keep us informed about healthcare appointments, changes in health and any medicines given?
This was an announced comprehensive inspection covering all five key questions, with observations, discussions and checks of records, staffing, medicines and quality systems. This explanation was written from the published report of 21 September 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 Suillean House
2 rated inspections over 3 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- December 2020Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- September 2018Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- March 2016GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: OutstandingResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- October 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- October 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- November 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- December 2010
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 15 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.
Weigh the report against the rest
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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.