CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at The Chestnuts
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors were assured about infection prevention and control, including PPE, testing, safe admissions and managing outbreaks. They found that some cleaning was not recorded accurately.
- Effective?
- Good
- Does the care work? Training, consent, food and drink, working with GPs and nurses.
- Caring?
- Good
- Are people treated with kindness and dignity?
- Responsive?
- Good
- Is care built around the person? Care plans, activities, complaints.
- Well-led?
- Good
- Is the home run well? The manager, the culture, how problems get found and fixed.
What inspectors found, February 2021
The Chestnuts was inspected but not rated; inspectors were assured about infection control, but some cleaning records were incomplete.
This was an announced, targeted inspection on 13 January 2021. It looked at infection prevention and control because of coronavirus outbreaks in care homes.
Inspectors were assured that the home was managing visitors, social distancing, admissions, protective equipment, testing and possible outbreaks safely. They also found that the infection control policy was up to date.
Some cleaning records were not accurate. This included records for office equipment and frequently touched points. The manager said extra information would be added to keep records up to date and reduce infection risks.
The home was inspected but not rated. This means the report does not give a Good, Requires Improvement or Inadequate rating for the service.
Regular testing
People living in the home and staff were taking part in regular testing.
“All people using the service and staff are participating in the regular testing programme” from the report
Protective equipment
Staff were seen to use the appropriate protective equipment when supporting people.
“Staff wore the appropriate PPE when supporting people” from the report
Safe admissions
The home had processes for admitting people safely, following best practice guidance.
“Processes were in place to support the safe admission of people into the service which followed best practice guidance.” from the report
Infection control arrangements
Inspectors were assured about visitor controls, social distancing, testing, outbreak management and the infection control policy.
“We were assured that the provider was making sure infection outbreaks can be effectively prevented or managed.” from the report
Cleaning records
needs fixingSome cleaning was not recorded accurately, including cleaning of office equipment and frequently touched points. The manager said extra information would be added to the records.
“Not all cleaning was recorded accurately, for example office equipment and high touch points.” from the report
- 01What extra information was added to the cleaning records after the inspection?
- 02How are cleaning records for office equipment and frequently touched points checked now?
- 03How often are people living in the home and staff tested, and how are the results managed?
- 04What checks are made to ensure staff use PPE safely when supporting people?
- 05How does the home manage new admissions and possible infection outbreaks?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control, so the home was inspected but not rated and the report does not assess all areas of care. This explanation was written from the published report of 9 February 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 2020
Rated Good; inspectors found kind, safe care, but building work was not always managed safely or given clear timescales.
The inspection took place over two visits in December 2019 and January 2020. It was unannounced on the first day and announced on the second. Inspectors spoke with people, relatives, staff and a health professional. They also reviewed care records, medicine records, staff files and management records.
The home was rated Good in all five areas: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. Inspectors found improvements in cleanliness, medicine storage and recording, staffing, care planning and quality checks. People were described as safe, well cared for, treated with kindness and supported to make choices.
There were two areas needing attention. Equipment and building materials were left in places that could cause trips or falls. Refurbishment work did not have clear completion dates, and people and relatives were not always kept informed. Inspectors made recommendations, but found no breaches of regulations at this inspection.
Improved safety systems
Medicine storage and recording had improved. Staff were trained and assessed as competent before giving medicines, and staffing levels were reviewed against people's needs.
“Medicines were stored safely and in line with manufacturer's instructions.” from the report
Kind and respectful care
Staff knew people well and supported their dignity, privacy, independence and personal choices. People and relatives spoke positively about the care.
“People received support from consistent staff; they formed relationships built on trust, mutual respect and understanding.” from the report
Good support and activities
People's care plans were personalised and reviewed. Staff supported communication, relationships, social activities, eating and drinking, and end of life wishes.
“People and their relatives were involved in reviews of their care.” from the report
Improved management
The home had introduced quality monitoring systems and used feedback from people, relatives and staff to identify and follow up improvements.
“A quality assurance system was in place and supported the registered manager to identify issues and concerns and put plans in place to make improvements.” from the report
Hazards during building work
seriousRisk assessments for improvement work were not always followed. Inspectors found boxes, unattended equipment and wiring across a corridor, creating a possible trip or fall risk.
“During the inspection we found boxes on the stair case, equipment left unattended and wiring across the corridor causing a hazard.” from the report
No clear refurbishment timetable
needs fixingThe home did not have timescales for completing refurbishment and adaptations. People and relatives were not always kept informed, which could cause anxiety and disruption.
“Timescales for the completion of refurbishment and adaptations to reduce the anxieties of people living in the home were not available.” from the report
- 01What refurbishment or improvement work is still taking place, and what are the completion dates?
- 02How are contractors' equipment, boxes and wiring checked and removed so they do not create trip or fall hazards?
- 03How will residents and relatives be told about building work, disruption and changes to rooms or facilities?
- 04How are staffing levels reviewed when people's needs change?
- 05How are medicines, including when-required and variable-dose medicines, checked and recorded?
This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating and covered all five CQC questions, including the care provided and the premises. This explanation was written from the published report of 6 March 2020 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 Chestnuts
Each visit the CQC has published, newest first, back to the day the home was registered.
- February 2021Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- March 2020GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- November 2018
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 30 November 2018.
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
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12 live-in carers within about an hour of North East Lincolnshire
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 £1,350 a week. 10 can care for a couple. 7 years' experience on average.
“What truly stands out is how mindful and attentive she is to all of my medical needs, always going above and beyond to ensure I’m comfortable and well cared for.”
“Martin was more than a carer, he managed the home and became my uncle's best friend, enriching his life during his last few years.”
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.