CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at The Beeches
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- People felt safe and staff had safeguarding training. Inspectors found appropriate checks, but some people's risk assessments needed updating, and a medicines error had not been found by the daily checks when inspectors arrived.
- Effective?
- Good
- People's needs were assessed before admission and staff received training and supervision. Food and fluid charts did not always show that extra food and snacks were available after dinner, and feedback about food choices was mixed.
- Caring?
- Good
- Staff were kind, respectful and encouraging. People were involved in decisions about their care and supported to maintain their independence.
- Responsive?
- Good
- Activities were based on people's interests and communication needs were supported. Care plans were mostly personalised, but some care notes were not recorded at the time care was given.
- Well-led?
- Good
- The registered manager understood their responsibilities, used audits and reviewed incidents. People and staff were invited to give feedback through meetings and supervisions.
What inspectors found, November 2023
Rated Good; inspectors found kind, safe care, with some records and risk assessments needing closer attention.
Inspectors visited without warning on 30 and 31 August 2023. They reviewed care plans, medicines records, health and safety records and audits. They spoke with 10 people, 3 relatives and 8 staff.
The home was rated Good in all five areas: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. People said they felt safe, staff were kind and respectful, and they were supported to make choices and stay as independent as possible.
Inspectors found a clean, well-maintained home, suitable staffing arrangements and good support with activities, healthcare, visitors and end of life care. They also found some risk assessments needed updating, one medicines error had not yet been identified by daily checks, and some care and food records were incomplete.
Kind and respectful staff
People were treated with dignity and kindness. Staff took time to get to know people and encouraged them to do things for themselves.
“Staff treated people with kindness and respect.” from the report
People felt safe
People told inspectors they felt safe. Staff had safeguarding training, and the home carried out health, safety and fire checks.
“People told us they felt safe at the service.” from the report
Personalised activities
Activity coordinators learned about people's interests and arranged activities and outings that mattered to them.
“They took time to get to know people personally so they could suggest and facilitate activities the person would enjoy.” from the report
Good management oversight
The management team used audits, meetings and incident reviews to monitor the service and look for improvements.
“The registered manager had a programme of audits in place which were reviewed and discussed with area managers to assist with their oversight of the service.” from the report
Risk assessments needed updating
needs fixingSome people's risk assessments were not up to date. This was raised with the registered manager during the inspection.
“Some people required their risk assessments to be updated, this was brought to the attention of the registered manager during the inspection.” from the report
Medicines checking
needs fixingInspectors found a medicines error from the previous day that had not been identified because the daily checks had not yet been completed. The manager responded and inspectors said people were not put at risk.
“On the day of the inspection, we found a medication error had occurred the previous day.” from the report
Incomplete food records
needs fixingFood and fluid charts did not always show whether extra food and snacks were available after dinner for people at risk of losing weight.
“However, food and fluid charts did not always show that additional food and snacks were available after dinner.” from the report
Care notes not always timely
minorSome notes about people's care were not recorded at the time care was provided. Inspectors also said care plans could be more personalised.
“Notes relating to people's care were not always recorded contemporaneously.” from the report
- 01How have you updated the risk assessments that inspectors found were out of date?
- 02What changes have you made to medicines checks so errors are identified promptly?
- 03How do you record extra food and snacks for people at risk of losing weight?
- 04How do you make sure care notes are written at the time care is provided?
- 05How would you support my relative if they do not like the planned food options?
This was an unannounced first inspection of the newly registered service and covered all five CQC questions; the previous provider was rated Good in March 2021. This explanation was written from the published report of 7 November 2023 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
3 rated inspections over 8 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- November 2023Goodcurrent ratingSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- March 2021Inspected but not ratedSafe: Inspected but not rated
- March 2018Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- October 2015GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- August 2021
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 27 August 2021.
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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At least 100 live-in carers within about an hour of Tameside
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. 90 can care for a couple. 10 years' experience on average.
“Primrose is a very kind and compassionate healthcare professional”
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.