CQC report explained · a nursing home
What the CQC found at The Meadows Care Home
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, admissions, visiting, cleaning and managing outbreaks.
- Effective?
- Good
- This area was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
- Caring?
- Good
- This area was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
- Responsive?
- Good
- This area was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
- Well-led?
- Good
- This area was not assessed in this targeted inspection, although inspectors noted work with public health and infection control officials.
What inspectors found, December 2021
Inspected but not rated; inspectors were assured that infection prevention and control measures were in place.
This was an unannounced, targeted inspection on 25 November 2021. It looked at infection prevention and control because of COVID-19 outbreaks in care homes.
Inspectors found the home was well ventilated and visibly clean. Cleaning schedules had been updated, some furniture had been replaced with easier-to-clean items, and a steam cleaner was being used for deep cleaning.
Inspectors were assured that the home was managing visitors, admissions, personal protective equipment, testing, social distancing and visits safely. The manager had also worked with public health and infection control officials.
The home was not given an overall quality rating, and Safe was recorded as inspected but not rated. The other four areas were not assessed in this targeted inspection.
Clean surroundings
The home was visibly clean and had cleaning schedules. These schedules had been revised so they better matched each area.
“All areas of the home were visibly clean and there were cleaning schedules in place.” from the report
Ventilation and cleaning equipment
The home used ventilation measures, including an air exchanger in areas where windows could not provide ventilation. It also had furniture and equipment that made cleaning easier.
“Some furniture had been replaced so it could be washed or cleansed more readily.” from the report
Infection control leadership
The manager worked with public health and infection control officials. A dedicated staff lead also supported infection prevention and control training.
“The registered manager had worked well with public health officials, the local authority and infection prevention and control leads.” from the report
Safe infection procedures
Inspectors were assured that the home was using PPE safely, arranging testing and managing visits, admissions and possible outbreaks.
“We were assured that the provider was making sure infection outbreaks can be effectively prevented or managed.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How are the cleaning schedules kept up to date for each area of the home?
- 02How does the infection prevention and control lead support staff training?
- 03How are visits currently being arranged in line with the latest guidance?
- 04What arrangements are in place for testing, PPE and managing any infection outbreak?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control and Safe was inspected but not rated; the other areas were not assessed. This explanation was written from the published report of 10 December 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, June 2019
The Meadows Care Home was rated Good; inspectors found kind, safe care and improvements since the previous inspection, with some records and follow-up issues still to check.
This was an unannounced inspection on 2 April 2019. Inspectors reviewed information sent to CQC, spoke with people, visitors, staff and other professionals, observed care, and checked care records, medicines and management information.
The home was rated Good in all five areas: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. People said they felt safe and happy. Inspectors found suitable staffing, safe medicines systems, trained staff, respectful care, activities and access to health professionals.
The home had improved since the previous inspection in April 2018, when it was rated Requires Improvement. Earlier problems with the environment, records, Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards and management checks had been addressed. Inspectors still noted some inconsistent records and said they would monitor a safeguarding matter and a current concern.
Improved oversight
The home had strengthened its management checks and used the previous inspection findings to make changes to records, the environment and care processes.
“The changes had enabled staff to address the issues noted at previous inspections.” from the report
Safe medicines and staffing
Inspectors found medicines were managed safely and that staffing levels met people's needs. Staff were trained and their ability to administer medicines was checked.
“Medicines were managed safely and associated records were maintained correctly.” from the report
Kind and respectful care
People described staff as friendly and caring. Inspectors saw patient and respectful interactions, with people offered choices and support to remain independent.
“Staff knew people well and treated them with respect. They were patient and kind in their interactions.” from the report
Activities and choice
People could take part in a range of activities and were supported to make choices about their daily routines.
“A range of activities were provided. People told us they were happy with the activities available.” from the report
Joined-up health support
The home worked with other professionals and supported people to attend health appointments. Inspectors found people's health needs were being met.
“The provider worked in partnership with a range of other organisations to ensure they delivered joined-up care and support for people.” from the report
Safeguarding matter
seriousAfter the inspection, CQC became aware of a safeguarding referral that had been substantiated. The report says the provider and manager needed to reflect on how to prevent the matter happening again.
“Following the inspection, we became aware of a safeguarding referral that had been substantiated.” from the report
Legal representative records
needs fixingCare files did not always record information about legal representatives, such as someone with lasting power of attorney. One file recorded next of kin consenting to care and treatment.
“People's personal care files did not always contain information about their legal representatives such as those with lasting power of attorney.” from the report
End of life information
needs fixingSome supporting information about people's preferred end of life care was not consistently found in the records. The home said staff would receive further training through a hospice project.
“Supporting information such as preferred priorities for care were not consistently seen in care records checked.” from the report
Room identification
minorSome rooms had pictures or memory boxes to help people find their way, but this was not consistent. Inspectors also said the purpose of the words displayed on rooms was unclear.
“Rooms were indicated with a name, number and some also had a significant picture or memory box outside to assist orientation however this was not consistent.” from the report
- 01What action has been taken following the safeguarding referral that was substantiated after the inspection?
- 02How do you check that every person's care file records any lasting power of attorney or other legal representative correctly?
- 03How will you make sure preferred priorities for care and other end of life information are recorded consistently?
- 04What is the purpose of the positive words displayed on rooms, and how do you help people with dementia recognise their room?
- 05What was the outcome of the concern raised by a relative that CQC said it would monitor?
This was an unannounced inspection covering all five CQC questions and the overall quality and safety of the care home. This explanation was written from the published report of 7 June 2019 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 Meadows Care Home
2 rated inspections over a year: the service has improved, from Requires improvement to Good.
- December 2021Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- June 2019Goodup from Requires improvementSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- June 2018Requires improvementSafe: Requires improvementEffective: Requires improvementCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Requires improvement
- February 2018
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 5 February 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.
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23 live-in carers within about an hour of Suffolk
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 £1,260 a week. 17 can care for a couple. 7 years' experience on average.
“Not only was she professional, polite and efficient but she bought a lovely smile and laughter to my parents home.”
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