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 were assured that the home was preventing infections, using PPE safely, testing people and staff, and keeping the building clean.
- 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.
What inspectors found, February 2021
Inspected but not rated; inspectors were assured that infection risks were being managed well.
This was an announced, targeted inspection on 21 January 2021. It focused on infection prevention and control during the coronavirus pandemic.
Inspectors found that visitors were screened, contact details were recorded, and visiting arrangements were being adapted. People moving into the home had a negative COVID-19 test and self-isolated for 14 days.
Staff used personal protective equipment safely. People and staff were tested regularly, the home was clean, and frequently touched areas were cleaned throughout the day. Inspectors were assured about all the infection control areas they checked.
The service was inspected but not rated. This means the inspection did not give an overall quality rating or ratings for most areas of care.
Visitor infection controls
Visitors were screened and their contact details were recorded. The home was also building a screened cabin for indoor visits.
“The provider had systems to prevent visitors from spreading and catching infections.” from the report
PPE, testing and cleaning
Staff used PPE safely, people and staff were tested regularly, and extra cleaning was carried out during the day.
“The home was clean and hygienic. Additional cleaning schedules had been introduced and frequently touched areas were cleaned regularly throughout the day to reduce the risk of infection.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How are visitors screened and recorded now?
- 02Is the screened cabin for indoor visits now in use?
- 03How often are people living in the home and staff tested now?
- 04How are frequently touched areas cleaned during the day?
- 05What arrangements are used if there is a COVID-19 outbreak?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control during the coronavirus pandemic; it did not rate the other areas of care. This explanation was written from the published report of 13 February 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, September 2018
The Old Vicarage was rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and personalised care, with an access issue being addressed.
Inspectors visited without notice on 19 July 2018 and returned on 20 July to review management records. They spoke with people living in the home, visitors, staff, the provider and a health professional. They also observed care and checked care, staff and quality records.
The home cared for 14 people at the time, although it could accommodate up to 19. Inspectors found people were safe, medicines were handled safely and there were enough trained staff. Care plans were kept up to date, and people received support with their health, meals, activities and end-of-life wishes.
People described staff as kind, attentive and respectful. Families were welcomed, and people were supported to keep important relationships. The provider asked people and relatives for their views and acted on feedback.
The overall rating was Good, and all five areas were also rated Good. This means inspectors found the home was meeting the relevant standards at the time of this inspection. It was the first inspection since the new provider was registered in June 2017.
Attentive staffing
Inspectors found enough staff to meet people's needs. Staff were patient, unhurried and provided help promptly.
“Throughout our inspection we saw the staff provided timely support as people needed.” from the report
Kind and respectful care
Staff knew people well and treated them with kindness. They supported privacy, dignity, independence and reassurance when people felt anxious.
“We observed people enjoyed laughing and joking with the staff and saw this promoted people's wellbeing.” from the report
Personalised care planning
Care plans recorded people's needs and preferences. They were reviewed regularly and when people's needs changed.
“The care plans were reviewed regularly and as people's needs changed to ensure they remained accurate and gave up-to-date guidance for the care staff.” from the report
Activities and family contact
People could choose from activities in the home and local community. Visitors were welcome and people could maintain important relationships.
“People could see their visitors as they wished and were supported to maintain relationships that were important to them.” from the report
Listening and improvement
The provider sought views from people and relatives through meetings and everyday conversations. Inspectors saw changes made in response to feedback.
“We saw action had been taken in response to people's views including changes to the activities provided.” from the report
Access around the entrance
minorSome people using mobility aids found the material used for the driveway and parking area difficult to cross. The provider was arranging accessible pathways.
“The registered provider was arranging for accessible pathways to be put in place to assist people.” from the report
- 01Have the accessible pathways at the front of the property now been completed, and are they suitable for all mobility aids?
- 02How often will my relative's care plan be reviewed if their needs or preferences change?
- 03What training and supervision do staff receive for dementia care and any health needs my relative has?
- 04How will you support my relative if they want to manage some of their own medicines?
- 05How are families involved in decisions about activities, care reviews and end-of-life wishes?
This was an unannounced inspection covering the home, the care provided and all five CQC questions; it was the first inspection since the new provider registered in June 2017. This explanation was written from the published report of 27 September 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
Each visit the CQC has published, newest first, back to the day the home was registered.
- February 2021Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- September 2018GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- June 2017
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 2 June 2017.
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
9 live-in carers within about an hour of Westmorland and Furness
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.
8 can care for a couple. 10 years' experience on average.
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.