CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at The Old Vicarage
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors found that risks were assessed and reviewed, staffing was sufficient, medicines were managed safely and infection control arrangements were in place.
- Effective?
- Good
- This question was not inspected during this visit. The previous rating was carried forward.
- Caring?
- Good
- This question was not inspected during this visit. People and relatives nevertheless spoke positively about caring and helpful staff.
- Responsive?
- Good
- This question was not inspected during this visit. The previous rating was carried forward.
- Well-led?
- Good
- Inspectors found approachable management, effective quality checks and good communication with people, relatives and staff.
What inspectors found, May 2022
The Old Vicarage is rated Good; inspectors found safe care, kind staff and strong management during a focused inspection.
The inspection was unannounced and took place on 12 April 2022. The inspector spoke with people, relatives, staff and health professionals. They also reviewed care plans, risk assessments, medicines records, staff files and quality checks.
The home was rated Good for Safe and Well-led. Inspectors found that risks were assessed, medicines were given safely, staffing levels were sufficient and infection control arrangements were effective. People and relatives described the care and management positively.
This was a focused inspection. The Effective, Caring and Responsive questions were not inspected during this visit. Their ratings were carried over from the previous inspection in 2018 when the service was rated Good overall.
Risks were managed
People's risks had been assessed, with detailed plans for staff. These plans were reviewed regularly.
“Risks to people's safety had been assessed and there were detailed management plans in place to give staff guidance. These had been reviewed regularly.” from the report
Medicines were safe
People received their medicines as prescribed. Records showed no gaps, and staff had training and checks for medicines administration.
“An electronic system was used to manage medicines. This helped staff make sure people had the right medicines at the correct time.” from the report
Kind, person-centred culture
Inspectors found that people were supported to make choices and maintain independence. People described staff as friendly, helpful and kind.
“The care and culture at the service was person-centred. People, relatives and staff told us they promoted independence and supported people to make their own choices and decisions.” from the report
Approachable management
People, relatives and staff knew who the managers were and felt able to raise ideas or concerns. Quality monitoring systems were in place.
“People, relatives and staff knew who the management were and felt able to approach them at any time.” from the report
Infection control
Inspectors were assured that the home used PPE safely, supported testing and had arrangements to prevent or manage outbreaks.
“We were assured that the provider was using PPE effectively and safely.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How will you assess and regularly review my relative's specific risks?
- 02How will you support my relative to manage their own medicines, if this is safe and appropriate?
- 03How many staff will normally be available on each shift, and what happens if a shift is not fully covered?
- 04How are relatives kept informed about visiting arrangements and infection control guidance?
- 05How can my relative raise concerns, request changes or share ideas with the management team?
This was a focused inspection of Safe and Well-led, including infection prevention and control; Effective, Caring and Responsive were not inspected and their ratings were carried over from the previous inspection in 2018. This explanation was written from the published report of 19 May 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, February 2018
Rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and personalised care, with limited activities raised by some people.
This was a comprehensive inspection on 12 and 13 December 2017. The first day was unannounced. Inspectors spoke with people living at the home, relatives, staff and healthcare professionals. They also checked care records, medicines, staffing, training, complaints and quality checks.
The home was rated Good in all five areas: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. Inspectors found enough staff, safe medicines systems, suitable training and good support with health, food and personal choices.
People and relatives described kind and respectful care. Care was personalised, and records were detailed. Some people said they did not take part in many activities, although an activities programme was available and further activities information was provided after the inspection.
The home was also rated Good at the previous inspection, so the overall rating remained unchanged. The report says the home met all relevant fundamental standards.
Enough staff
People were supported by enough staff in a relaxed and unhurried way. The staffing rotas matched the assessed needs of people living at the home.
“Everyone we spoke with confirmed people were supported by sufficient numbers of staff to meet their needs in a relaxed and unhurried manner.” from the report
Safe medicines
Staff had medicines training and regular competency checks. Records and stock checks were accurate, and one person was supported to manage their own medicines safely.
“Peoples' medicines were managed and administered safely.” from the report
Kind and respectful care
People appeared relaxed with staff, and inspectors saw attentive, kind and caring interactions. Privacy and dignity were respected during personal care.
“From our observations, we could see that people were relaxed in the presence of staff and appeared to be happy.” from the report
Personalised care plans
Care plans recorded individual routines, preferences, strengths and support needs. People and relatives were involved in developing and reviewing their care.
“Care plans were personalised and detailed daily routines specific to each person.” from the report
Strong management checks
The management team monitored safety and care through regular audits and reviews. Inspectors saw that action was taken when shortfalls were found.
“There were very effective quality assurance systems in place to monitor health and safety and plan on-going improvements.” from the report
Activities were not enough for everyone
minorSome people said they did not take part in many activities, and one relative felt their relative was isolated. An activities programme was displayed, and the manager later provided more information about other activities.
“People told us they weren't able to take part in many activities.” from the report
- 01How would you make sure my relative has enough activities and regular social contact if they do not want to join group events?
- 02How would you support my relative's preferred daily routine, including their usual waking, meal and bedtime preferences?
- 03How are medicines competency checks completed and reviewed for the staff who would support my relative?
- 04How would my relative and our family be involved in creating and reviewing their personalised care plan?
- 05How would you identify and respond if my relative's health, mobility, nutrition or communication needs changed?
This was a comprehensive inspection of all five areas, carried out on 12 and 13 December 2017, with the first day unannounced; the previous overall rating was also Good. This explanation was written from the published report of 2 February 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 Old Vicarage
3 rated inspections over 7 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- May 2022Goodcurrent ratingstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- February 2018Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodWell-led: Good
- July 2015GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- October 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- December 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- April 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- December 2011
Report published without a new overall rating.
- February 2011
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 1 February 2011.
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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