CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at The Old Vicarage Care Home
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
What inspectors found, March 2021
Inspected but not rated; inspectors found strong COVID-19 infection prevention measures and people said they felt safe and well cared for.
This was an announced, targeted inspection on 18 March 2021. It checked how the home was preventing and controlling COVID-19 infection.
Inspectors found visitor screening, regular testing, enough protective equipment and suitable staff training. Staff were seen using protective equipment correctly, and the home was clean and hygienic.
People said they felt safe and well cared for. The home supported contact with family and friends through visits in a pod, video calls and telephone calls.
The service was inspected but not rated. This report does not give an overall quality rating or ratings for the other areas of care.
Infection prevention
Inspectors found detailed COVID-19 policies, regular testing, suitable visitor checks and enough protective equipment. Staff were seen using protective equipment correctly.
“We were assured that the provider was using PPE effectively and safely.” from the report
Clean surroundings
The home was clean and hygienic. Housekeeping staff had the training, equipment and products needed to maintain hygiene standards.
“The premises were clean and hygienic.” from the report
People felt safe
People living in the home said they felt safe and well cared for. They also praised staff for being kind and thoughtful.
“I feel safe. Never safer in my life. Staff couldn't be more kind and thoughtful. It is a wonderful place” from the report
Contact with family
The home supported people to stay in contact with family and friends through pod visits, video calls and telephone calls.
“People living in the service and their family and friends were supported to maintain contact through a range of methods including visit appointments in a 'pod', video calls and the telephone calls.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How are visitors currently screened for infection before entering the home?
- 02How often are people living here and staff tested for COVID-19?
- 03Is there still enough protective equipment for staff and visitors, and how is it used?
- 04What arrangements are currently available for visits and other contact with family and friends?
- 05What are the home's current plans for preventing and managing an infection outbreak?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control during the COVID-19 pandemic; the service was inspected but not rated and the other areas of care were not covered. This explanation was written from the published report of 30 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.
What inspectors found, March 2019
Rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and personalised care, but some mental capacity and consent records needed correcting.
This was an unannounced comprehensive inspection on 20 and 21 February 2019. One inspector and an expert by experience spoke with people, relatives, staff and a health professional. They also reviewed care files, medicines records, staff files, complaints and quality checks.
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 kind staff, personalised care, safe medicines practice, suitable activities and good checks on quality and safety.
There was an important shortfall in how the Mental Capacity Act was applied. Assessments did not always relate to specific decisions, and some consent was given by relatives without confirmed legal authority. The registered manager began correcting this during the inspection. The home was also asked to remove an old Outstanding rating displayed at the entrance, and did so.
Risk management
Risk assessments were detailed and reviewed regularly. The manager used accident information to change staffing after identifying a pattern of falls.
“Risk assessments were detailed and included clear instructions for staff on how to minimise the risks for people.” from the report
Kind and respectful care
People and relatives described staff as kind and caring. Inspectors saw staff offering reassurance, choices and support with dignity.
“People were supported and treated with dignity and respect; and involved as partners in their care.” from the report
Personalised support
Care plans reflected people's needs and preferences. Activities included group events and one-to-one support for people who did not want to join a group.
“People received personalised care that was responsive to their needs.” from the report
Quality oversight
The manager used audits, spot checks, meetings and feedback to monitor care and identify improvements.
“Quality assurance systems were in place to monitor the standard of care provided at the home.” from the report
Mental capacity and consent
needs fixingCapacity assessments did not always cover individual decisions such as personal care or medicines. Some relatives had given consent without confirmed legal authority. The manager started corrective action during the inspection.
“The home did not always meet the requirements of the MCA.” from the report
Old rating displayed
minorThe home displayed an Outstanding rating from the previous provider in three places at the entrance. Inspectors said this could mislead the public, and it was removed during the inspection.
“The home was displaying the 'outstanding' rating from the previous provider in three places at the home's entrance.” from the report
- 01How do you now assess a person's capacity for each individual decision about care, medicines or treatment?
- 02How do you check that a relative has the legal authority to give consent on someone's behalf?
- 03What changes were made after the inspection to correct the Mental Capacity Act and consent problems?
- 04How have recent changes in staffing and ownership affected the home, and what is being done to keep things settled?
- 05How do you review accidents and falls, and what staffing changes would be made if a pattern appeared?
This was the first scheduled comprehensive inspection and covered the premises, care and all five CQC questions. This explanation was written from the published report of 28 March 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 Old Vicarage Care Home
Each visit the CQC has published, newest first, back to the day the home was registered.
- March 2021Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- March 2019GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- March 2018
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 1 March 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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15 live-in carers within about an hour of Dorset
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 £1,040 to £1,340 a week. 11 can care for a couple. 10 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.