CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at The Beeches Care Home
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
What inspectors found, March 2022
Beeches Care Home: Inspected but not rated; inspectors were assured that infection risks were being managed during the COVID-19 response.
This was an unannounced, targeted inspection on 1 February 2022. Inspectors checked infection prevention and control because of COVID-19 outbreaks in care homes. They also asked about staffing pressures.
Inspectors were assured that the home was managing visitors, testing, personal protective equipment, social distancing, admissions and infection outbreaks. Staff had infection control training and enough protective equipment.
People had individual COVID-19 risk assessments and care plans. The home reviewed its procedures when national guidance changed. The inspection did not give an overall quality rating.
Infection control
The home followed government COVID-19 guidance and used checks for visitors to reduce infection risks.
“The provider ensured current government guidelines in relation to COVID-19 were followed by staff and visitors to reduce the risk of infection to people living at the service.” from the report
Testing and isolation
People and staff took part in regular whole-home testing. People and staff who tested positive followed national guidance and isolated for the required time.
“People and staff took part in regular COVID-19 whole home testing.” from the report
Protective equipment
Staff had infection prevention training and enough masks, gloves and aprons. Inspectors saw staff using this equipment properly.
“There were sufficient stocks available, and staff were seen to be wearing PPE appropriately.” from the report
Updated procedures
The home reviewed and updated its procedures when national guidance changed.
“The provider had reviewed and updated their practice and procedures following any changes to the national guidelines to reflect best practice.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01What measures are currently in place to manage COVID-19-related staffing pressures?
- 02How are my relative's individual infection risk assessment and care plan kept up to date?
- 03How often are people and staff tested, and what happens if someone tests positive?
- 04How do you check that staff use masks, gloves and aprons safely and appropriately?
- 05What checks are made when visitors arrive, and how can visits take place safely?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control, with questions about staffing pressures; it was not a full inspection and the service was inspected but not rated. This explanation was written from the published report of 10 March 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, August 2019
The Beeches Care Home was rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and personalised care, although some medicines records had gaps.
This was an unannounced planned inspection on 31 July 2019. Inspectors spoke with nine people, two relatives and a friend, as well as seven staff. They observed care, reviewed five people's care and medicines records, toured the home and checked staff and management records.
The home was rated Good in all five areas: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. Inspectors found enough staff, safe medicines management, suitable training, personalised care and respectful relationships. People were supported with food, activities, healthcare and end of life care.
The home had systems to monitor quality and make improvements. Inspectors noted that some medicines administration records had gaps, but regular audits were used to identify and address mistakes. The overall Good rating remained unchanged from the previous inspection, published on 9 February 2017.
Enough staff
Inspectors found consistent staffing and said people did not have to wait long for help. Recruitment checks were completed before new staff started.
“We received positive feedback about staffing levels and saw there were enough staff on duty to meet people's needs in a timely manner.” from the report
Kind and respectful care
Staff formed supportive relationships with people and respected their privacy, dignity, choices and backgrounds.
“We saw caring interactions between staff and people throughout the inspection.” from the report
Personalised support
Care plans included people's preferences, likes and dislikes, and were reviewed when their circumstances changed.
“Care plans were personalised and contained information about people's likes and dislikes.” from the report
Good support at the end of life
The home recorded people's end of life wishes and supported relatives to spend time with them, including offering overnight arrangements.
“Staff had also put another bed in the person's bedroom should they wish to stay with their family member overnight.” from the report
Gaps in medicines records
minorInspectors found gaps in some medication administration records. Regular audits were in place to identify and address mistakes, but families should ask how this is monitored now.
“Where there were gaps in the MAR charts the registered manager completed regular audits so that any mistakes could be actioned swiftly.” from the report
- 01How often are medicines administration records checked, and what happens when a gap is found?
- 02How will you assess and review my relative's care needs and personal preferences before they move in?
- 03What activities and community trips would be suitable for my relative, including if they prefer to stay in their room?
- 04How would you support my relative's dietary needs, allergies, hydration and healthcare appointments?
- 05How would you involve our family in end of life planning and support?
This was an unannounced planned inspection covering all five CQC questions, and the previous Good ratings were reviewed and remained unchanged. This explanation was written from the published report of 28 August 2019 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 Beeches Care Home
3 rated inspections over 4 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- March 2022Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- August 2019Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- February 2017Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- March 2015GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- March 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- September 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- December 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- March 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- January 2011
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 17 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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89 live-in carers within about an hour of North Northamptonshire
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. 76 can care for a couple. 12 years' experience on average.
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