CQC report explained · a nursing home
What the CQC found at Tabley House
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors found that risks were identified and managed, medicines were handled safely, staffing was sufficient and infection control arrangements were effective.
- Effective?
- Good
- This question was not inspected during this focused inspection.
- Caring?
- Good
- This question was not inspected during this focused inspection, although inspectors observed positive interactions and heard praise from people and relatives.
- Responsive?
- Good
- This question was not inspected during this focused inspection.
- Well-led?
- Good
- Inspectors found robust audit systems, clear roles, open communication and good partnership working. This improved from Requires improvement at the previous comprehensive inspection.
What inspectors found, November 2021
Rated Good; inspectors found safe, well-managed care and an improvement in leadership since the previous inspection.
This was an unannounced focused inspection. The inspection visit took place on 7 October 2021, followed by a virtual meeting on 22 October 2021. Inspectors spoke with people, relatives, staff and a doctor, and checked medicines, care records, risk assessments, recruitment records and quality checks.
The home was rated Good for Safe and Well-led. Inspectors found that risks were managed, medicines were handled safely, staffing was sufficient and infection control measures were in place. They also found caring and skilled staff, good teamwork and effective checks on quality and safety.
The inspection focused only on Safe and Well-led. The other ratings were carried over from the previous comprehensive inspection. The overall rating stayed Good, while Well-led improved from Requires improvement to Good.
Safe staffing
Inspectors found enough suitably trained and experienced staff to meet people's needs safely and consistently. Recruitment checks were also completed before staff started work.
“There were enough suitably, skilled, and experienced staff on duty to meet people's needs safely and consistently.” from the report
Safe medicines
Medicines were received, stored, given, recorded and disposed of safely. Staff had medicines training and regular audits were completed.
“Medicines were received, stored, administered, recorded and disposed of safely.” from the report
Positive care
People and relatives praised the care and staff. Inspectors observed staff responding with skill and sensitivity.
“Staff were engaging and showed skill and sensitivity in the way they responded to people.” from the report
Improved leadership
Quality checks that needed to become established at the previous inspection were now described as robust and followed in practice.
“At this inspection, we found robust audit systems were in place and were being followed.” from the report
Good partnership working
The home worked with health and social care professionals to meet people's needs and improve outcomes.
“Managers and staff worked effectively and cooperatively with health and social care professionals to develop practice and improve outcomes for people who lived at the home.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How are you currently checking the quality of care in areas that were not inspected during this visit?
- 02How do you assess whether care plans and risk assessments remain up to date for each person?
- 03How are relatives kept informed and involved in decisions about their family member's care?
- 04How do you make sure lessons from accidents and incidents are shared with all staff?
- 05How do you maintain infection control and safe visiting arrangements when guidance changes?
This was a focused inspection of Safe and Well-led only; the Effective, Caring and Responsive ratings were carried over from the previous comprehensive inspection. This explanation was written from the published report of 9 November 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.
What inspectors found, March 2021
Inspected but not rated; inspectors found strong infection control and good support for people and relatives during the COVID-19 crisis.
This was an announced, targeted inspection of infection prevention and control. Inspectors visited in February 2021 and looked at how the home managed COVID-19 risks.
The inspectors were assured that the home used personal protective equipment safely, arranged testing, followed distancing and shielding rules, and had measures to prevent and manage outbreaks. The home was clean and had enhanced cleaning schedules.
People said they felt safe and well cared for. Relatives said managers and staff helped them keep in touch through video calls, Zoom and telephone calls. A visiting pod had also been provided, with plans to restart visits there.
The service was inspected but not rated. This means the report does not give an overall quality rating and does not provide a full assessment of all areas of care.
Infection control
Inspectors were assured that the home had appropriate arrangements to reduce the spread of COVID-19, including testing, personal protective equipment and cleaning.
“We were assured that the provider was making sure infection outbreaks can be effectively prevented or managed.” from the report
Support for relatives
Relatives said they were kept informed and helped to stay in contact with people living at the home during the COVID-19 crisis.
“Relatives of people who lived at the home told us how they had been supported and kept informed throughout the COVID19 crisis.” from the report
Safe visiting arrangements
The home had acquired a heated and ventilated visiting pod, with screening, testing and personal protective equipment for visitors.
“The provider had acquired a purpose-built visiting pod which was located directly outside the home at the front entrance.” from the report
Clean environment
The home was clean and did not have bad smells. Enhanced cleaning schedules were introduced and checked by senior staff.
“The home was clean and free of malodour throughout.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01What visiting arrangements are available now, and can visits take place inside the home?
- 02How are relatives kept informed and supported to maintain contact with people living here?
- 03What testing arrangements are currently in place for residents, staff and visitors?
- 04How are personal protective equipment supplies and infection control training maintained?
- 05Which areas of care have been assessed in the home's most recent full inspection?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control during the COVID-19 pandemic, not a full inspection of all five quality areas, and the service was inspected but not rated. This explanation was written from the published report of 9 March 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 Tabley House
4 rated inspections over 6 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- November 2021Goodcurrent ratingSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- March 2021Inspected but not ratedSafe: Inspected but not rated
- November 2018Goodup from InadequateSafe: GoodWell-led: Requires improvement
- July 2018Inadequatedown from GoodSafe: InadequateEffective: InadequateCaring: Requires improvementResponsive: InadequateWell-led: Inadequate
- October 2015GoodSafe: GoodEffective: Requires improvementCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- May 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- May 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- November 2010
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 15 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.
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
At least 100 live-in carers within about an hour of Cheshire East
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. 88 can care for a couple. 10 years' experience on average.
“She is an exemplary carer, she is knowledgable empathetic and very respectful in the home.”
“He developed a close affinity with Terence, spending time talking with him before he retired to bed and looking after his needs during the night.”
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.