CQC report explained · a nursing home
What the CQC found at The Close Care Home
Rated Outstanding: inspectors found the home performing exceptionally well.
- Safe?
- Outstanding
- Inspectors checked blood-thinning medicines, PEG risks, staffing and infection control. They found these specific areas were being managed safely, but they did not review the whole Safe question.
- Effective?
- Outstanding
- This question was not assessed during this targeted inspection.
- Caring?
- Outstanding
- This question was not assessed during this targeted inspection.
- Responsive?
- Outstanding
- This question was not assessed during this targeted inspection.
- Well-led?
- Outstanding
- This question was not assessed during this targeted inspection.
What inspectors found, August 2021
Inspected but not rated; inspectors found the specific safety concerns checked were being managed, but this was not a full inspection.
This was an unannounced, targeted inspection on 28 July 2021. It followed concerns about blood-thinning medicines, staffing and feeding tubes called PEGs. Inspectors also checked infection control.
Inspectors found clear processes for people taking blood-thinning medicines. They found PEG risks were identified and managed safely. Staffing levels met planned levels, call bells were answered promptly and staff did not appear rushed.
The home was clean. Staff had suitable protective equipment and followed infection-control guidance. Inspectors found no evidence during this visit that people were at risk of harm from the concerns checked.
The home was not given a new rating. Its previous overall rating was Outstanding, and the Safe question was previously Outstanding. This targeted inspection did not review the whole service, so those ratings remain unchanged rather than being reassessed.
Blood-thinning medicines
People taking these medicines had clear processes and risk assessments. Records included monitoring for possible skin changes and medicine interactions.
“We found, where people were on blood thinning medicines, there were clear processes in place which allowed a multidisciplinary team approach to care.” from the report
PEG safety
Risks linked to feeding tubes were identified in individual plans. Staff had training and knew how to support people safely.
“We found risks associated with PEGs were identified and managed safely.” from the report
Staffing levels
Planned staffing levels were met. Inspectors saw staff responding to call bells in good time and did not see staff appearing rushed.
“Records showed planned staffing levels were met.” from the report
Infection control
The home had infection-control arrangements, including protective equipment, testing and checks for visitors. Staff were observed using protective equipment correctly.
“We were assured that the provider was using PPE effectively and safely.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How do you now check and monitor people who take blood-thinning medicines?
- 02What training do staff have for caring for people with PEG feeding tubes?
- 03How do you make sure staffing levels remain sufficient when agency staff are used?
- 04What has changed since the targeted inspection in July 2021?
- 05How do you investigate and respond to any new medicine or safety concerns?
This was a targeted inspection of specific concerns about blood-thinning medicines, PEG risks, staffing and infection control; it did not assess the full five key questions, and the previous ratings remained unchanged. This explanation was written from the published report of 7 August 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, January 2020
The Close Care Home was rated Outstanding; inspectors found exceptionally safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led care.
This was an unannounced inspection visit on 16 October 2019. Inspectors spoke with 26 people, 11 relatives, eight staff members and two visiting professionals. They reviewed care records, medicines records, staff files and management records.
The home was rated Outstanding in all five areas. Inspectors found strong safeguarding, safe medicines handling, enough staff and very clean premises. They also found highly personalised care, respectful relationships and effective support for people's health, food, communication, activities and independence.
The rating means inspectors judged the home to be exceptional and distinctive. The overall rating improved from Good at the previous inspection, published in April 2017. The Caring rating stayed Outstanding, while Safe, Effective, Responsive and Well-led improved from Good.
Safe independence
The home used technology and positive risk-taking to keep people safe while avoiding unnecessary restrictions. People were involved in decisions about the risks they wanted to take.
“Staff completed robust risk assessments relevant to people's needs that focused on how to support people to maintain their independence and achieve their goals in the least restrictive way.” from the report
Personalised food
The home provided creative food options for people with swallowing difficulties and different eating patterns. Inspectors saw evidence that food was made attractive and matched people's needs.
“This meant that creative ways were implemented to encourage food to be as attractive as possible for people on specific diets.” from the report
Kind and respectful care
People and relatives gave exceptionally positive feedback about staff. Inspectors observed warm, dedicated interactions and found that people's dignity and choices were consistently respected.
“People were treated with exceptional care and kindness. They and their relatives thought very highly of the staff and praised their caring, thoughtfulness and willingness to go above and beyond for them.” from the report
Meaningful activities
Activities were tailored to people's interests and abilities. The home supported community involvement and adapted activities for people with physical, psychological, sensory or communication needs.
“The home excelled at supporting people to participate in a wide range of activities that were important and relevant to their needs.” from the report
Strong leadership
Inspectors found a motivated staff team, effective oversight and a strong culture of improvement. The home shared some of its learning with other care services.
“The Close was an excellent role model for other services.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How would you assess and review the risks and independence goals for my relative?
- 02How would you meet my relative's food, swallowing or eating-pattern needs, including meals outside usual times?
- 03How would you use my relative's interests, history and communication style to plan activities and daily care?
- 04What specialist training do staff have for my relative's health conditions and, if needed, end of life care?
- 05How would my relative and our family be involved in care reviews, feedback and complaints?
This was an unannounced planned inspection that looked at the premises and care provided and rated all five key questions. This explanation was written from the published report of 22 January 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 Close Care Home
5 rated inspections over 5 years: the service has improved, from Inadequate to Outstanding.
- August 2021Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- January 2020Outstandingup from GoodSafe: OutstandingEffective: OutstandingCaring: OutstandingResponsive: OutstandingWell-led: Outstanding
- April 2017Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: OutstandingResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- February 2016Goodup from Requires improvementSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: Requires improvementWell-led: Good
- June 2015Requires improvementup from InadequateSafe: Requires improvementEffective: Requires improvementCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Requires improvement
- January 2015InadequateSafe: InadequateEffective: Requires improvementCaring: Requires improvementResponsive: Requires improvementWell-led: Inadequate
- June 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- September 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- September 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- October 2011
Report published without a new overall rating.
- December 2010
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 2 December 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.
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38 live-in carers within about an hour of Oxfordshire
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 £1,300 a week. 32 can care for a couple. 12 years' experience on average.
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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.