CQC report explained · a nursing home
What the CQC found at Sundial Care Home
Rated Outstanding: inspectors found the home performing exceptionally well.
- Safe?
- Good
- People were protected from abuse and risks were assessed and managed. Inspectors found suitable staffing, safe medicines management, appropriate recruitment checks and clean, well-maintained premises.
- Effective?
- Outstanding
- Staff had detailed induction, regular training and supervision. Inspectors found that staff understood people's needs, supported health and nutrition well, and followed the Mental Capacity Act and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards.
- Caring?
- Outstanding
- Staff were exceptionally compassionate and knew people's preferences, histories and routines. People were treated with dignity, involved in decisions and encouraged to remain independent.
- Responsive?
- Good
- Care plans were personalised, regularly reviewed and developed with people and relatives. The home supported activities, communication needs, social contact and individual end-of-life wishes.
- Well-led?
- Outstanding
- Inspectors found open and visible leadership, strong staff support and effective quality monitoring. The management team used feedback, incidents and near misses to improve the service.
What inspectors found, August 2018
Sundial Care Home was rated Outstanding overall; inspectors found exceptionally caring, effective and well-led care, with safe and responsive care rated Good.
This was a comprehensive inspection on 5 and 7 June 2018. The first day was unannounced. Inspectors spoke with people, relatives, staff and health professionals, observed care, and checked care plans, medicines, recruitment records and management systems.
Inspectors found a strong person-centred culture. Staff knew people well, treated them with kindness and respect, and supported independence. Staffing levels were suitable, medicines were managed safely, and risks were identified and reviewed.
The home had a detailed care model, thorough staff training and strong links with health professionals. People were supported with food, drink, activities, communication, health appointments and end-of-life wishes. The environment was homely, although one wing was closed for refurbishment.
The overall rating was Outstanding. Effective, Caring and Well-led were rated Outstanding. Safe and Responsive were rated Good. This was the first inspection since the new provider registered with the CQC in August 2017, so there was no previous rating for comparison.
Kind and personal care
Staff built warm relationships and treated people as individuals. They spent time listening, offered reassurance and protected privacy and dignity.
“Staff had a real empathy for the people they cared for and treated people like family members.” from the report
Independence and choice
People were encouraged to make choices and do everyday tasks for themselves. The home supported people to follow their interests and use the garden independently where appropriate.
“People were supported in the least restrictive manner, maximising their opportunity for choice and control.” from the report
Skilled staff
Training was detailed and tailored to the home's care approach. Staff received a thorough induction, regular supervision and ongoing development.
“Staff received the provider's bespoke training which was based on the provider's model of care and CQC's key line of enquiries.” from the report
Safe staffing and medicines
Inspectors found enough competent staff to meet people's needs. Medicines were stored, checked and administered safely.
“There were enough competent staff on duty to meet people's needs fully.” from the report
Strong leadership
The management team was visible and included people, relatives and staff in developing the home. Quality checks were used to learn and improve.
“The management team established a strong, open and visible culture within the service.” from the report
Refurbishment still underway
minorOne house containing 11 bedrooms was closed and not available to people during the inspection. The report said refurbishment was expected to be completed later that year.
“One house of 11 bedrooms was closed for refurbishment which was due to be completed later this year.” from the report
- 01Has the refurbishment of the closed 11-bedroom wing been completed, and which areas are currently available?
- 02How will you assess and adjust staffing if my relative's needs change?
- 03How will my relative's care plan be reviewed during the first days and weeks after moving in?
- 04How will you support my relative's preferred routines, interests and independence?
- 05How would you support my relative's end-of-life wishes, and how would you involve our family?
This was a comprehensive inspection covering all five CQC questions, and it was the first inspection since the new provider registered in August 2017. This explanation was written from the published report of 24 August 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. The report was longer than we could read in one go; the later sections may not be reflected.
Every inspection of Sundial Care Home
Each visit the CQC has published, newest first, back to the day the home was registered.
- August 2018Outstandingcurrent ratingSafe: GoodEffective: OutstandingCaring: OutstandingResponsive: GoodWell-led: Outstanding
- August 2017
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 30 August 2017.
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
Fees, photos and reviews from families
How to read CQC ratings and reports
What to check when you visit
17 live-in carers within about an hour of Devon
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 £1,020 to £1,270 a week. 15 can care for a couple. 13 years' experience on average.
“She is such a warm and gentle person while being professional and competent at the same time.”
“She looked after my mum, who can be incredibly challenging, so well and so gently, and we always felt confident that my mum was getting the best care available.”
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.