CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Sunnyfields
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors were assured that infection risks were being managed, including visitor screening, protective equipment, testing, cleaning and plans for possible outbreaks. They also noted that the visiting policy needed updating to reflect guidance issued on 17 January 2022.
- Effective?
- Good
- Does the care work? Training, consent, food and drink, working with GPs and nurses.
- Caring?
- Good
- Are people treated with kindness and dignity?
- Responsive?
- Good
- Is care built around the person? Care plans, activities, complaints.
- Well-led?
- Good
- Is the home run well? The manager, the culture, how problems get found and fixed.
What inspectors found, February 2022
Inspected but not rated; inspectors found good infection control, but the visiting policy needed updating.
This was an unannounced, targeted inspection on 25 January 2022. It looked mainly at infection prevention and control during the COVID-19 pandemic, and at whether staffing pressures were affecting care.
Inspectors found good arrangements for visitors, including health checks, temperature checks, hand sanitiser, face masks and lateral flow testing. There were plans to isolate people if needed, good supplies of protective equipment, regular staff testing and enhanced cleaning.
The home was clean and free from clutter. Inspectors were assured that the home was managing infection risks, admissions, protective equipment, testing and possible outbreaks safely.
The home was inspected but not rated. This means the visit did not give an overall quality rating or a rated judgement for safe care.
Infection control
Inspectors found arrangements to reduce the spread of infection, including visitor checks, protective equipment, testing and cleaning.
“We were assured that the provider was making sure infection outbreaks can be effectively prevented or managed.” from the report
Visitor arrangements
Visitors were screened, asked to use protective measures and tested before visits. Visiting arrangements had been discussed with relatives.
“The service had consulted with relatives to agree visiting arrangements in line with government guidance.” from the report
Clean environment
The home had enhanced cleaning arrangements and inspectors found the building clean and free from clutter.
“Enhanced cleaning practices were in place and the building looked clean and free from clutter.” from the report
Staff COVID-19 measures
Staff had received relevant training and were regularly tested. The provider also described measures to reduce the effect of COVID-19-related staffing pressures.
“Staff had received training on how to keep people safe during the COVID-19 pandemic and staff were regularly tested for COVID-19.” from the report
Visiting policy was out of date
needs fixingThe visiting policy had not been updated to include the latest government guidance about three people being able to visit. The home said it would review the policy immediately.
“However, this had not been updated with the latest government guidance of 17 January 2022 regarding three people being able to visit.” from the report
- 01Has the visiting policy now been updated to reflect the government guidance issued on 17 January 2022?
- 02How many people can visit my relative now, and what screening or testing is required?
- 03What would happen if someone living in the home developed COVID-19?
- 04How would COVID-19-related staff pressures affect my relative's care?
- 05How often are staff and people living in the home tested when there is an infection risk?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control and COVID-19-related staffing pressures; the service was inspected but not rated. 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, November 2018
Rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and personalised care, with day-to-day management led by a house manager while the registered manager worked at another service.
Inspectors visited without warning on 19 October 2018. They observed care, spoke with the provider and staff, and checked care plans, medicines records, staff files, training records and quality checks.
The home supported up to four people with learning disabilities. Three people lived there on the inspection day. Inspectors found that staff knew people well, respected their dignity, supported their choices and helped them access health care, food and activities.
All five areas were rated Good: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. This was the first rating since a new provider took over in July 2018.
Kind relationships
Staff had built positive relationships with people and used communication suited to each person's needs. Inspectors saw a relaxed atmosphere and respectful care.
“Staff were compassionate, kind and caring and had developed good relationships with people using the service.” from the report
Safe medicines
Medicines were stored, given and disposed of appropriately. Records and audits were used to check that medicines were given as prescribed.
“Systems were in place that showed people's medicines were managed consistently and safely by staff.” from the report
Personalised support
Care plans included people's life histories, likes, dislikes and communication needs. People were involved in reviews and were supported to make choices and develop independence.
“People's care plans clearly listed the care and support tasks that they needed.” from the report
Activities and community life
People had activity schedules including shopping, pub trips, seaside visits, cinema trips and music. Staff also supported people to keep in touch with relatives and use community services.
“People had activities schedules in place which detailed they had activities planned to meet their needs on a daily basis.” from the report
Improvement after ownership change
The report says the provider had updated policies and training, introduced more regular supervision and improved staff morale after taking over in July 2018.
“Staff said there had been an improvement in staff morale since the providers has taken over the service in July 2018” from the report
Registered manager arrangements
minorThe registered manager was working full time at the provider's other service. The house manager was in charge day to day, and the provider said an application was being made to become the registered manager for this home.
“There was a registered manager, however since the provider had taken over the service, the registered manager had worked full time at the provider's other nearby service.” from the report
- 01Who is the registered manager now, and who is responsible for the home when the house manager is not on duty?
- 02Has the application for the provider to become the registered manager been completed, and what management cover is in place?
- 03How are care plans and risk assessments reviewed so they continue to reflect each person's communication, health and independence needs?
- 04How often are medicines audits completed, and how are any errors or changes in medicines followed up?
- 05How are people supported to take part in activities and community visits if they are less active or communicate differently?
This was an unannounced comprehensive inspection covering all five CQC questions, including observation of care and checks of records, staff and quality systems. This explanation was written from the published report of 10 November 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 Sunnyfields
Each visit the CQC has published, newest first, back to the day the home was registered.
- February 2022Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- November 2018GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- July 2018
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 6 July 2018.
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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39 live-in carers within about an hour of Kent
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 £980 to £1,260 a week. 33 can care for a couple. 12 years' experience on average.
“Always on time and with a lovely smile for my mum. Theresa is kind and sensitive to my mum's needs.”
“Irene was a very kind and empathetic carer who knew just the right words to say to put a smile on my face.”
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.