CQC report explained · a nursing home
What the CQC found at The Orchard Nursing Home
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors were assured about the home's infection prevention and control arrangements. They asked for reviews of isolation bedroom doors and risk assessments for some staff wearing masks or long sleeves.
- Effective?
- Good
- Not assessed in this targeted inspection.
- Caring?
- Good
- Not assessed in this targeted inspection.
- Responsive?
- Good
- Not assessed in this targeted inspection.
- Well-led?
- Good
- Not assessed in this targeted inspection.
What inspectors found, March 2021
Inspected but not rated; inspectors found generally good infection control, with some checks needed on isolation doors and staff protective clothing.
This was an unannounced, targeted inspection on 11 March 2021. It looked at infection prevention and control because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The home was supporting 54 people and could care for up to 63.
Inspectors were assured that the home had an up-to-date infection control policy, was arranging testing, following shielding and distancing rules, and managing admissions, cleaning, visitors and outbreaks. The home was clean, and staff had training in protective equipment and infection control.
Inspectors asked the home to review whether bedroom doors should be fully closed when someone was isolating. They also asked it to review risk assessments for staff who could not wear masks for health reasons or who wore long sleeves.
The home was inspected but not rated. This was not a full inspection of all five areas of care, so it does not provide an overall Good or Requires Improvement rating.
Infection control policy
Inspectors were assured that the infection prevention and control policy was current.
“We were assured that the provider's infection prevention and control policy was up to date.” from the report
Clean environment
The home was clean and cleaning was taking place during the visit.
“The home was clean and there was cleaning ongoing during our visit.” from the report
Support for communication and wellbeing
People continued to engage with staff while wearing masks. Staff used written information when needed, and the wellbeing team worked to reduce loneliness and boredom.
“People were chatting and engaging with staff and this did not appear to be impacted by staff wearing masks.” from the report
Staff training
Staff had training in protective equipment, infection control and COVID-19, and said they felt supported and had enough information.
“Staff had received training on putting on and taking off personal protective equipment (PPE), infection control and COVID-19.” from the report
Isolation bedroom door
needs fixingInspectors saw the door of a person isolating after admission partly open. They asked the home to review whether doors should be fully closed and to update its policy and risk assessments.
“We observed the bedroom door of a person in isolation after admission to the home to be open a jar.” from the report
Protective clothing checks
needs fixingSome staff were not wearing masks for health reasons and some wore long sleeves. Inspectors asked the home to review the related risk assessments and oversight.
“However, some staff were not wearing masks for health reasons and some staff had long sleeves on.” from the report
- 01Have you reviewed whether bedroom doors should be fully closed when a person is isolating?
- 02What changes have you made to the policy and risk assessments for people isolating after admission?
- 03How do you safely manage staff who cannot wear masks for health reasons?
- 04How do you manage staff wearing long sleeves while providing care?
- 05How do you check that infection control and protective equipment arrangements are followed in practice?
This was an unannounced targeted inspection of infection prevention and control practices only; the service was inspected but not rated and the other care areas were not assessed. This explanation was written from the published report of 18 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, August 2019
The Orchard Nursing Home was rated Good; inspectors found kind, safe care, with a few records and care delays needing attention.
This was an unannounced inspection on 16 July 2019. Two inspectors spoke with people living in the home, relatives, staff and managers. They observed care and reviewed care plans, medicines records, staff files and management records.
The home provided nursing and personal care for 59 older people and could support up to 63. People said they felt safe and were happy with the care. Inspectors found enough staff, kind interactions, good activities and clean surroundings.
All five areas were rated Good: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. The home had improved from Requires Improvement at the previous inspection, although the provider's legal entity had changed since then.
Kind and respectful staff
Inspectors saw staff being attentive, reassuring and respectful. Staff took time to make sure people were comfortable and involved in decisions about their care.
“We heard and saw staff being attentive and reassuring to people.” from the report
Enough staff
People, relatives and staff said there were enough staff. Inspectors saw people receiving support in a timely way.
“We saw that people received support in a timely manner.” from the report
Good activities and social contact
People enjoyed activities and outings, and activities were changed when people's interests changed. People who stayed in their rooms received daily interaction.
“There was a garden party in the afternoon that people were seen enjoying and people in their rooms received daily interaction if they were unable to go to communal areas.” from the report
People and relatives involved
People and relatives were involved in care planning and reviews. The home also sought feedback through meetings and surveys.
“People and their relatives were involved in planning and reviewing their care.” from the report
Improved management and oversight
The home had improved its rating from Requires Improvement to Good. Inspectors found that checks and action plans were helping to address shortfalls.
“At this inspection the service had improved its rating to Good.” from the report
Mattress settings needed checking
needs fixingOne person was changing mattress settings in people's rooms. Management introduced a checking chart during the inspection to make sure settings were correct.
“However, one person was altering mattress settings in people's rooms on one unit.” from the report
One medicines record was inaccurate
needs fixingOne daily medicines count did not match the stock recorded. Inspectors said the quantity of medicines was correct, so this was a recording problem.
“One daily count record did not accurately agree with the stock held, however, the quantity of medicines was correct, so this was a recording issue.” from the report
Snacks were not always recorded
needs fixingSnacks were not always included on food intake charts. Inspectors asked management to check that this was not affecting monitoring of weight loss.
“We did note that snacks were not always included on food intake charts.” from the report
One delay in help with the toilet
needs fixingOne person had to ask repeatedly before staff helped them to the toilet. Management addressed this immediately and arranged staff supervision.
“However, we did also see one instance where a person asked for the toilet before lunch and staff did not take them until they persistently asked.” from the report
- 01How do you now check that mattress settings are correct for each person?
- 02What checks make sure medicines records match the medicines held?
- 03How do you record snacks and use food intake records to monitor weight?
- 04How do you make sure people receive prompt help with toileting and other personal care?
- 05How are relatives involved in care plan reviews and informed about changes?
This was an unannounced planned inspection covering all five CQC questions: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. This explanation was written from the published report of 1 August 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 Orchard Nursing 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
- August 2019GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- August 2018
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 23 August 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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