CQC report explained · a nursing home
What the CQC found at The Alan Shearer Centre
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
What inspectors found, January 2022
The Alan Shearer Centre was inspected but not rated; inspectors were assured about infection prevention and visiting arrangements.
This was an announced, targeted inspection on 20 January 2022. Inspectors looked at infection prevention and control, visiting arrangements, and whether COVID-19 staffing pressures affected people.
Inspectors were assured that the home was managing infection risks. They found regular testing, visitor screening, suitable protective equipment, updated policies, correct use of protective equipment and regular cleaning.
The inspection covered the care home only. The short-break respite service was temporarily closed. The home was inspected but not rated, so this report does not give an overall quality rating.
Infection control policies
The home had detailed COVID-19 policies and updated them when national guidance changed.
“The home had comprehensive policies and procedures to manage any risks associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.” from the report
Testing and visitor checks
Regular testing was in place for people living there, staff, essential carers and visitors. Visitors were screened before entering.
“A programme of regular COVID-19 testing for both people in the home, staff, essential carers and visitors to the home was implemented.” from the report
Protective equipment and cleaning
Inspectors saw enough protective equipment, hand sanitiser, correct use of protective equipment and daily cleaning arrangements.
“There was an ample supply of PPE for staff and any visitors to use.” from the report
Maintaining contact
People living in the home and their relatives were supported to keep in touch.
“People living in the home and their relatives were supported to maintain contact.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How have your infection prevention and control arrangements changed since the inspection on 20 January 2022?
- 02What testing and screening arrangements are currently used for staff, visitors and people living in the home?
- 03How do you manage staffing pressures when staff are affected by COVID-19?
- 04Has the short-break respite service reopened, and if not, what is its current status?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control, visiting arrangements and COVID-19 staffing pressures in the care home; the short-break respite service was temporarily closed and the service was not rated overall. This explanation was written from the published report of 28 January 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, May 2018
Rated Good overall, with Outstanding caring; inspectors found safe, personalised support but two records and decision-making processes needed attention.
This was an unannounced inspection on 23 March 2018. One inspector observed care, spoke with people, relatives, staff and health professionals, and checked care records, medicines, staffing, recruitment and quality checks.
The home was rated Good overall. Safe, effective, responsive and well-led were all rated Good. Caring was rated Outstanding. Inspectors found enough staff, safe medicines systems, detailed care records and strong support for people with complex needs.
Inspectors found two areas to improve. A best-interest decision about hidden medicines had not involved all the relevant people. Some care plans still included older advice from a health professional. The manager said both issues would be addressed.
Kind and respectful care
Staff were not rushed and treated people with compassion, dignity and respect. Relatives and professionals described the care as exceptionally caring.
“Relatives and professionals involved with the service told us staff were exceptionally caring and had gone the "extra mile" to provide outstanding care.” from the report
Helping people communicate
Staff used pictures, signs, symbols and communication technology to help people express wishes and make everyday choices, including choices about activities and places to visit.
“Staff used pictures, signs and symbols to help people make choices and express their views.” from the report
Personalised support
Staff knew people's interests, personalities and routines well. Care plans gave detailed guidance about personal care, communication, health and independence.
“Records were personalised, up-to-date and accurately reflected people's care and support needs.” from the report
Safe staffing and medicines
Inspectors found enough staff with appropriate skills. Medicines were stored securely and records showed people received them correctly.
“Systems were in place that showed people's medicines were managed consistently and safely by staff.” from the report
Good links with professionals
The home worked with health professionals and followed advice about people's care, behaviour, communication and therapy.
“People had access to health care professionals to make sure they received appropriate care and treatment.” from the report
Hidden medicines decision
needs fixingFor one person receiving medicines hidden in food or drink, the best-interest decision had not involved the relevant people and did not follow NICE guidance. The manager said this would be addressed immediately.
“the 'best interest' decision making did not adhere to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines as the best interest decision had not involved the relevant people.” from the report
Older advice in care plans
needs fixingSome support plans included historical advice from 2012. Inspectors asked the home to introduce checks so plans always reflect the latest advice from outside specialists.
“We advised that a system should be put in place to check records contained the most up-to-date advice, in case people's needs had changed.” from the report
- 01How do you now make sure best-interest decisions about hidden medicines involve all the relevant people?
- 02How do you check that every care plan contains the latest advice from health professionals?
- 03How will you help my relative communicate choices and express distress or discomfort?
- 04How do you maintain consistent staff support when regular staff are unavailable?
- 05How will you involve our family in reviews of care, health and daily activities?
This was an unannounced inspection covering all five CQC questions and both the residential and short-break units; the overall rating stayed Good while the caring rating improved to Outstanding. This explanation was written from the published report of 1 May 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 The Alan Shearer Centre
2 rated inspections over 2 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- January 2022Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- May 2018Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: OutstandingResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- January 2016GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- June 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- July 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- December 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- November 2011
Report published without a new overall rating.
- January 2011
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 20 January 2011.
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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36 live-in carers within about an hour of Newcastle upon Tyne
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 £950 to £1,160 a week. 30 can care for a couple. 10 years' experience on average.
“Petty introduced herself to Mum every time she was caring for her and responded very quickly to Mum if she was distressed in 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.