CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at The Dales
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors were assured about most infection prevention measures, including PPE, testing, cleaning, visiting and managing outbreaks. They were only somewhat assured because the home did not have a setting-specific infection prevention and control policy.
- Effective?
- Good
- This question was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
- Caring?
- Good
- This question was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
- Responsive?
- Good
- This question was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
- Well-led?
- Good
- This question was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
What inspectors found, February 2022
The Dales: Inspected but not rated; inspectors found good infection control, but no setting-specific IPC policy.
Inspectors made an unannounced, targeted visit on 27 January 2022. They looked mainly at infection prevention and control during the COVID-19 response, and asked about staffing pressures.
They found good practice in visiting arrangements, hand hygiene, protective equipment, cleaning, testing and separating people with COVID-19 from those without it. The home was clean and free from unpleasant smells.
The inspectors were only somewhat assured that infection control guidance and best practice were followed because the home did not have its own infection prevention and control policy. The service was inspected but not rated, so this report does not give an overall quality rating.
Visiting arrangements
The home supported contact with family and friends through visits, telephone calls and virtual visits. It also carried out checks when visitors entered.
“The registered manager and deputy manager recognised the importance of contact with friends and family to people's wellbeing.” from the report
Use of protective equipment
Staff understood infection control procedures. Protective equipment was available and used equipment was disposed of appropriately.
“Staff understood and followed good Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) procedures, which helped protect people from the risk of infection.” from the report
Clean environment
The home was clean and regular cleaning was used to reduce the risk of infection spreading.
“The service was clean and free from malodour.” from the report
Managing COVID-19 risks
The home used separation between people with COVID-19 and those without it. Inspectors said this helped reduce transmission risk.
“Cohorting was used to good effect in the service.” from the report
No setting-specific infection control policy
needs fixingThe home did not have an infection prevention and control policy specific to its setting. The manager agreed to develop and implement one, and inspectors signposted resources.
“The provider did not have an IPC policy specific to their setting.” from the report
- 01Has the setting-specific infection prevention and control policy now been developed and put into use?
- 02How are infection prevention and control audits carried out, and can families see the results?
- 03What measures are in place if COVID-19 or other infection outbreaks occur?
- 04How did COVID-19-related staffing pressures affect people living in the home?
- 05What checks are currently made for visitors and visiting professionals entering the home?
This was an unannounced targeted inspection of infection prevention and control practices and COVID-19-related staffing pressures; the service was inspected but not rated. This explanation was written from the published report of 18 February 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, March 2021
The Dales had a targeted infection-control inspection and was inspected but not rated; inspectors found good arrangements during a Covid-19 outbreak.
The CQC carried out an unannounced, targeted inspection on 10 February 2021. It looked at infection prevention and control because the home was recovering from a Covid-19 outbreak.
Inspectors were assured that the home managed visiting, isolation, social distancing, admissions, personal protective equipment, testing, cleaning and infection outbreaks safely. Visiting was mostly suspended, but external visiting pods helped people communicate with visitors.
The home was inspected but not rated. This was not a full inspection of the home's overall quality, and the report does not give ratings for caring, effective, responsive or well-led.
Infection control
Inspectors were assured that the home had procedures to reduce the risk of visitors catching or spreading infection.
“The provider had good procedures for preventing visitors from catching or spreading infection.” from the report
Visiting arrangements
The home created external visiting areas with glass walls and microphones so people could communicate more safely with visitors.
“The visiting pods had a glass wall and a microphone system allowing people to communicate safely.” from the report
Cleaning and PPE
The home had cleaning schedules and systems for hygiene. Staff understood how to use and dispose of protective equipment.
“Staff understood how to use and dispose of personal protective equipment.” from the report
Safe admissions
New residents had a negative Covid-19 test before admission and were supported to isolate in their rooms for 14 days.
“People received a negative COVID-19 test result before admission and were supported to self-isolate in their rooms for 14 days after moving to the home.” from the report
Further development suggested
minorThe CQC signposted the provider to resources to develop its approach. The report does not say what specific changes were needed.
“We have also signposted the provider to resources to develop their approach.” from the report
- 01What infection-control arrangements are currently used for visitors, and are the visiting pods or equivalent facilities still available?
- 02How does the home manage a new Covid-19 or other infection outbreak now?
- 03What testing and vaccination arrangements are currently in place for residents and staff?
- 04How are new residents tested and supported to isolate after admission?
- 05What changes, if any, were made after the CQC signposted the provider to resources to develop its approach?
This was an unannounced targeted inspection of infection prevention and control during a Covid-19 outbreak; it did not rate the other areas of care. This explanation was written from the published report of 3 March 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.
Every inspection of The Dales
4 rated inspections over 4 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- February 2022Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- March 2021Inspected but not ratedSafe: Inspected but not rated
- October 2019Goodup from Requires improvementSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- August 2018Requires improvementstayed Requires improvementSafe: Requires improvementEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: Requires improvementWell-led: Requires improvement
- August 2017Requires improvementdown from GoodSafe: Requires improvementEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Requires improvement
- August 2015GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- May 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- January 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- March 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- December 2011
Report published without a new overall rating.
- December 2010
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 3 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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9 live-in carers within about an hour of Cumberland
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.
8 can care for a couple. 9 years' experience on average.
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.