CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at The Old Rectory
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
What inspectors found, April 2021
Inspected but not rated; inspectors found strong infection control during the COVID-19 pandemic.
This was a targeted, announced inspection on 17 March 2021. It looked only at infection prevention and control after a COVID-19 outbreak, rather than the full range of care provided.
Inspectors were assured that the home was managing infection risks. They found regular cleaning, suitable protective equipment, staff training, testing, social distancing and arrangements for people who were isolating.
The home was limiting visitors at the time, with risk assessments, protective equipment, testing and temperature checks. Staff helped people keep in touch with families by phone and video calls.
The service was inspected but not rated. This means the report does not give a Good, Requires improvement or Inadequate rating for the home overall.
Clean environment
The home was clean and well maintained, with regular cleaning of high-touch areas and clear cleaning schedules.
“The home was clean and well maintained. There was regular cleaning throughout the day, and this included high-touch areas.” from the report
Protective equipment and training
Staff had enough protective equipment and were seen using it correctly. They had received specific COVID-19 training, with updates and refresher training.
“Staff were provided with adequate supplies of PPE and staff were seen to be wearing this appropriately.” from the report
Testing arrangements
The home had regular testing and daily temperature checks for staff and people living there. People also had oxygen level checks.
“Routinely all staff have a weekly PCR and twice weekly lateral flow test (LFT).” from the report
Family contact
During the pandemic, staff supported people to stay in touch with their families through phone calls and video calls.
“Staff supported people to remain in contact with their families by phone calls and video calls during the pandemic.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01What infection prevention and control arrangements are in place now, and how often are cleaning schedules checked?
- 02What are the current visiting arrangements, and what risk assessments or checks are required for visitors?
- 03What testing is currently offered to people living here and staff?
- 04What happens if a new person is admitted after testing positive for COVID-19 or another infection?
- 05How will staff help my relative keep in contact with family if visiting is restricted?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control only; the service was inspected but not rated and the other areas of care were not assessed. This explanation was written from the published report of 13 April 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, February 2020
The Old Rectory is rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and personalised care, with improvements since the previous Requires Improvement rating.
Inspectors visited on 20 January 2020. They spoke with people, relatives, staff and health professionals, observed care and activities, and checked records, medicines, staffing and the home.
They found enough trained staff, safe medicines practice and good risk management. People were treated with kindness and respect. Care was personalised, and people were supported to make choices, stay independent, see family and take part in activities they enjoyed.
All five areas were rated Good: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. The overall rating had improved from Requires Improvement at the previous inspection, published in January 2019. The report says improvements had been made to activities and quality assurance.
People felt safe
People told inspectors they felt safe, and staff knew how to recognise and report abuse. Risks were recorded and reviewed, while people were supported to take positive risks and remain independent.
“It's my home, I feel very safe here, I am not always steady on my legs, but staff look out for me.” from the report
Kind and respectful care
Inspectors saw staff treating people with kindness, dignity and respect. Staff understood people's preferences and encouraged them to do as much as possible for themselves.
“Very welcoming when we visit, they support their residents with kindness and respect.” from the report
Meaningful activities
People could choose from activities at home and in the community. Inspectors saw people working, visiting places, playing games and using an arts and crafts room.
“I am never bored, we have things to do at home, painting and can go out when we want to, I go out a lot.” from the report
Improved management checks
The home had developed audits covering care plans, staff files, incidents, complaints and feedback. These checks led to improvements such as more accurate mental capacity records and better communal areas.
“Quality assurance processes had been developed to consistently drive improvement.” from the report
End of life planning was still developing
minorNo one was receiving end of life care during the inspection. The manager had started developing personalised plans, but some people did not want to discuss the subject at that time.
“We wanted to talk to people about this but in a way that was sensitive and didn't upset them.” from the report
Feedback did not work for everyone
minorThe easy read survey had not enabled one person to give feedback. Management was considering personalised photos, objects of reference and rephrased questions.
“This had not always supported one person to give feedback.” from the report
- 01How will you help my relative share feedback if standard easy read information is not suitable for them?
- 02What personalised end of life planning would be appropriate for my relative, and how will you approach this sensitively?
- 03How will you make sure there are enough staff to provide one-to-one support and help people attend appointments or go out?
- 04Which activities could my relative choose from, and how would you adapt them to their interests and communication needs?
- 05How will you involve my relative and our family in reviewing their care plan and key-worker arrangements?
This was a comprehensive inspection covering all five key questions, and the report says each rating was assessed at this inspection. This explanation was written from the published report of 6 February 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 Old Rectory
4 rated inspections over 5 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- April 2021Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- February 2020Goodup from Requires improvementSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- January 2019Requires improvementstayed Requires improvementSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: Requires improvementWell-led: Requires improvement
- December 2017Requires improvementdown from GoodSafe: Requires improvementEffective: Requires improvementCaring: GoodResponsive: Requires improvementWell-led: Requires improvement
- February 2015GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- December 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- March 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- January 2012
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 30 January 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.
Weigh the report against the rest
Fees, photos and reviews from families
How to read CQC ratings and reports
What to check when you visit
19 live-in carers within about an hour of East Sussex
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 £1,000 to £1,400 a week. 13 can care for a couple. 10 years' experience on average.
“When he point blank refused to go into hospital for a life saving blood transfusion she talked him through the situation and agreed to go in the ambulance with him and stayed until he was settled.”
“Una felt safe, secure and loved in her time with Debbie which is a gift that I am eternally grateful for.”
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.