CQC report explained · a nursing home
What the CQC found at The Heathers Nursing Home
Rated Outstanding: inspectors found the home performing exceptionally well.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors found updated personal evacuation plans, completed fire safety actions and infection control arrangements. The rating was not reviewed because the inspection only covered specific safety concerns.
- Effective?
- Good
- This key question was not assessed during this inspection.
- Caring?
- Outstanding
- This key question was not assessed during this inspection.
- Responsive?
- Outstanding
- This key question was not assessed during this inspection.
- Well-led?
- Good
- This key question was not assessed during this inspection.
What inspectors found, July 2021
The Heathers Nursing Home was inspected but not rated; inspectors found safety and infection controls were in place, with some management arrangements still developing.
This was a short-notice inspection on 27 May 2021. It followed concerns about health and safety, including fire safety, and also looked at infection prevention during the COVID-19 pandemic. One inspector visited, toured the home, spoke briefly with people and staff, and checked records.
Inspectors found people had updated evacuation plans and that actions from the latest fire inspection had been completed. They were assured that infection controls, visitor arrangements, protective equipment, testing and cleaning were being managed safely. The home had also taken action after a contractor repeatedly left an access door open.
The inspection did not give a new overall rating. Safe was inspected but not rated because only the specific areas of concern were examined. The last overall rating was Outstanding, published in December 2018, and Safe was last rated Good.
Fire safety
People had evacuation plans that were updated when their mobility or needs changed. Inspectors also found that actions from the previous fire inspection had been completed.
“We saw any actions required had been undertaken following the last fire inspection.” from the report
Infection control
Inspectors were assured about testing, protective equipment, social distancing, cleaning, admissions and visits during the pandemic.
“We were assured that the provider was preventing visitors from catching and spreading infections.” from the report
Support during the pandemic
The home kept in touch with families and supported people's emotional wellbeing through activities and special events.
“The emotional wellbeing of people and their families had been supported throughout the pandemic.” from the report
Teamwork and medical support
Staff continued to support one another during the pressures of COVID-19. People received prompt medical attention when they became unwell.
“All staff continued to work well as a team and support each other.” from the report
Access door left open
needs fixingA maintenance contractor had failed to close an access door on three recent occasions. The home took further precautions and discussed the issue with the contractor.
“There had been three recent incidences where a maintenance contractor had failed to close a door that accessed the home whilst retrieving items from their vehicle.” from the report
Manager recruitment
needs fixingThe home was recruiting a manager who would register with the CQC. Until then, management was shared between the provider, general manager and clinical lead.
“The service was in the process of recruiting a manager who would register with the Care Quality Commission.” from the report
Training updates
minorThe staff training update programme was still underway as COVID-19 restrictions began to ease. Further independent fire awareness training was being arranged.
“The training update programme was underway as Covid- 19 restrictions had started to decrease.” from the report
- 01Has the home now recruited and registered the manager referred to in the report?
- 02What checks are now in place to make sure contractors close access doors and follow visitor procedures?
- 03Has the staff training update programme been completed, including independent fire awareness training?
- 04When was the most recent fire safety audit, and were any further actions identified?
- 05How are infection control and visiting arrangements being reviewed as guidance changes?
This was a focused inspection of specific Safe concerns and infection control; it did not review the other key questions or change the previous ratings. This explanation was written from the published report of 15 July 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, December 2018
The Heathers Nursing Home was rated Outstanding overall; inspectors found exceptionally caring, responsive support and Good arrangements for safety, effectiveness and leadership.
This was an unannounced inspection on 18 and 19 October 2018. One inspector observed the home, spoke with four people, two relatives and seven staff, and checked care records, staff files, policies, audits and other records.
The inspectors found that people were safe, received effective care and were treated with exceptional kindness and respect. Staff understood people's needs, supported their independence and helped them maintain important relationships and interests.
The home was rated Outstanding overall. Caring and Responsive were rated Outstanding. Safe, Effective and Well-led were rated Good. The report says the home had improved from Good at the previous inspection in August 2016.
Kind and respectful care
Inspectors found that staff were exceptionally caring and understood the people they supported as individuals.
“Staff treated people with dignity, respect and compassion.” from the report
Personalised support
Staff supported people to continue hobbies, attend important events and maintain relationships that mattered to them.
“People were supported to maintain relationships that were important to them.” from the report
Quick response to changing needs
Care was reviewed and changed when people's health or wellbeing needs altered, including with help from outside professionals.
“Changes in people's needs were quickly recognised and appropriate prompt action taken, including the involvement of external professionals where necessary.” from the report
Visible management
Managers were involved in daily care and staff said they could approach them with concerns or suggestions.
“All three led by example and ensured they were visible 'on the floor' assisting with personal care, support at mealtimes and activities” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How is the lounge-based carer role currently staffed, and what has happened to falls, accidents and incidents since this inspection?
- 02How will you assess and review my relative's risks, including falls, weight loss, swallowing or skin problems?
- 03What activities and outings could my relative take part in, based on their interests and abilities?
- 04How will you involve our family in care planning and decisions if my relative cannot make a particular decision?
- 05How do you use residents' meetings, family feedback and audits to make changes?
This was an unannounced inspection covering all five key questions; the previous inspection was in August 2016 and rated the service Good. This explanation was written from the published report of 18 December 2018 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 Heathers Nursing Home
2 rated inspections over 2 years: the service has improved, from Good to Outstanding.
- July 2021Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- December 2018Outstandingup from GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: OutstandingResponsive: OutstandingWell-led: Good
- August 2016GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- October 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- July 2012
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 11 July 2012.
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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39 live-in carers within about an hour of South Gloucestershire
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 £1,020 to £1,280 a week. 32 can care for a couple. 11 years' experience on average.
“She was very caring, kind and patient to all his needs, she built up a wondetful rapport with him, she was dedicated and was there for him through good times as well as through the tough times”
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.