CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Sycamore Park Care Home
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- People were considered safe and risks were assessed and monitored. Some medicines records had unclear instructions or lacked evidence of a second check, although the manager said these issues were addressed after the inspection.
- Effective?
- Good
- Staff had relevant training and support. People's nutrition, hydration and healthcare needs were monitored and generally met well.
- Caring?
- Outstanding
- Inspectors found exceptional kindness, compassion and respect. Staff knew people's personalities, preferences and communication methods and supported their relationships and independence.
- Responsive?
- Good
- Care was personalised and activities reflected people's interests, cultures and wishes. Some care plans lacked detail, although the provider's audits had identified actions to improve them.
- Well-led?
- Good
- There were regular quality checks, clear responsibilities and good communication with families. The home had recently experienced management changes, with a new registered manager in post for only a few weeks.
What inspectors found, July 2022
Rated Good overall, with Outstanding caring; inspectors found warm, personalised support but some medicines and care records needed improvement.
Inspectors made an unannounced visit on 11 April 2022. They spoke with six people, three relatives and five staff. They observed care and checked care records, medicines records, recruitment files and management information.
The home was rated Good for Safe, Effective, Responsive and Well-led. It was rated Outstanding for Caring. People felt safe, staff knew them well, and their health, food, communication and activity needs were generally met.
Inspectors found an exceptionally kind and homely atmosphere. Staff supported people's dignity, independence, relationships, cultural preferences and personal wishes. Families felt included and well informed.
There were some shortfalls. A handwritten medicines record did not show a second check, some medicines instructions were unclear, and some care plans lacked detail. Inspectors also noted recent management changes and concerns from some people, relatives and staff about staffing levels.
Kind and respectful care
Inspectors saw staff treat people with exceptional kindness and respect. People were made to feel at home and their dignity was consistently promoted.
“It was strongly evident that every person, member of staff and visitor was treated with a high degree of kindness, compassion and respect.” from the report
Personalised support
Staff knew people's likes, dislikes, personalities and communication methods. They supported individual wishes and created meaningful opportunities for people.
“The service was exceptional at helping people to communicate so that staff and managers at all levels understood their views, preferences, wishes and choices.” from the report
Good activities and relationships
People were supported to maintain relationships and take part in activities linked to their interests, culture and faith. Families were encouraged to join in.
“Activities were meaningful and very much enjoyed, with a varied programme of events designed with people's interests in mind.” from the report
Staff support and teamwork
Staff reported regular training, supervision and support. Inspectors found that staff understood their roles and worked effectively together.
“Induction, training and supportive discussions enabled staff to feel confident, valued and empowered.” from the report
Family involvement
Families said they felt included and well informed. The home used meetings, newsletters, updates and messages to keep people connected.
“Families said they felt included and this was especially important during the COVID-19 pandemic, when they had been unable to visit the home.” from the report
Medicines records
needs fixingOne handwritten medicines record had no evidence of a second check. Some instructions for creams and medicines given as required were not clear enough for staff.
“For medicine needed 'as directed' or 'as required' it was not always clear about the directions or exact dose to be given.” from the report
Care plan detail
needs fixingCare records were generally good but sometimes did not explain important changes in a person's needs. The provider had identified gaps through audits.
“Care plans and records were maintained well overall and written in the first person, although on occasion, lacked detail.” from the report
Staffing levels
needs fixingSome people, relatives and staff felt staffing levels could be improved, especially for people living with dementia. Management said staffing was matched to people's needs and kept under review.
“Some people, relatives and staff said they thought staffing levels could be improved, particularly where people were living with dementia.” from the report
Recent management changes
minorThere had been several recent changes in management, and one relative was unhappy about this. Inspectors said care continued to be maintained and staff felt supported.
“One relative said they were not happy there had been so many recent changes, but said they hoped there would be more stability with the new registered manager.” from the report
Complaints information
minorOne relative was not aware of the complaints process, although they said staff were approachable. Inspectors found complaints were recorded and responded to appropriately.
“One relative said they were not aware of the complaints process, but they found staff were very approachable should they need to raise a concern.” from the report
- 01How do you now make sure handwritten medicines records are checked by two staff?
- 02How do you make sure instructions for creams and medicines given as required are clear?
- 03How are staffing levels reviewed for people living with dementia, and what happens if needs increase?
- 04How do you record and review changes in a person's mobility or other care needs?
- 05How will you provide stability while the new management arrangements become established?
This was an unannounced inspection covering all five CQC questions, including infection prevention and control; the report says this was the first inspection of the newly registered service, while the April 2021 infection control inspection was not rated. This explanation was written from the published report of 20 July 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, April 2021
Inspected but not rated; inspectors found strong infection control measures during a targeted COVID-19 review.
This was an announced, targeted inspection on 10 March 2021. Inspectors looked at infection prevention and control because of COVID-19 outbreaks in care homes.
The home was clean, tidy and well maintained. It had cleaning schedules, including extra cleaning for high-touch areas. The layout supported social distancing, and signs reminded people to keep apart.
Inspectors were assured that PPE, testing, visiting, admissions and outbreak procedures were being managed safely. The home was inspected but not rated, so this report does not provide an overall quality rating or ratings for the other areas of care.
Cleaning
The home was clean and maintained robust cleaning schedules. High-touch areas received extra cleaning.
“The service was clean, tidy and well maintained. There were robust cleaning schedules in place.” from the report
Social distancing
The layout supported social distancing, with signs reminding people to keep apart.
“The service was set out in a way that promoted social distancing. There were signs to prompt people to social distance.” from the report
COVID-19 risk management
Inspectors found that risks linked to COVID-19 were assessed and managed, including risks for people with health conditions.
“Risks to staff and people relating to COVID-19 were thoroughly assessed and managed.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How do you identify high-touch areas and make sure they receive enhanced cleaning?
- 02How are PPE and social distancing arrangements checked in day-to-day practice?
- 03How often are people living here and staff tested for COVID-19?
- 04What arrangements are currently in place for visitors and safe admissions?
- 05How would you manage a new infection outbreak in the home?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control only; the home was inspected but not rated and the other care areas were not assessed. This explanation was written from the published report of 7 April 2021 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 Sycamore Park Care Home
Each visit the CQC has published, newest first, back to the day the home was registered.
- July 2022Goodcurrent ratingSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: OutstandingResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- April 2021Inspected but not ratedSafe: Inspected but not rated
- November 2019
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 4 November 2019.
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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