CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at The Poplars
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors found suitable staffing, robust recruitment, appropriate risk assessments and safe medicines systems. They noted that records for as-needed medicines did not give enough detail about when to give them or how to recognise signs such as pain.
- Effective?
- Good
- People's needs were assessed and staff had suitable training and knowledge. People were supported with nutrition, healthcare, mental capacity and more independent living.
- Caring?
- Good
- Staff treated people with compassion and respect. They understood people's emotional needs, communication methods, privacy and personal histories.
- Responsive?
- Good
- Care was personalised and people helped plan their support, activities and goals. The home supported communication, relationships and complaints, but inspectors recommended advance care planning.
- Well-led?
- Good
- Inspectors found clear values, an involved manager, supportive staff and quality checks covering care plans, daily records, medicines and health and safety. The service acted when checks identified improvements.
What inspectors found, January 2019
Rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and personalised care, with some medicines guidance and advance care planning still to improve.
This was an unannounced, comprehensive inspection on 28 November 2018. It was the first inspection since a change in registration. Inspectors observed care, looked around the home, spoke with people, staff, relatives and the manager, and checked care, medicines and quality records.
The home supported five people at the visit and could accommodate six adults with learning disabilities and autism. Inspectors found enough suitable staff, safe care, good support with health needs and medicines, and staff who treated people with kindness and respect.
All five areas were rated Good: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. This means the inspection found the service met the standards required at that time, although inspectors identified some improvements that were needed.
Safe staffing
Inspectors found enough suitable staff to meet people's needs and keep them safe. Recruitment checks were also described as robust.
“There were sufficient numbers of suitable staff to meet people's needs and keep them safe.” from the report
Personalised support
People were involved in their care plans and supported to make choices, build independence and take part in activities that mattered to them.
“People's care and support was personalised to meet their needs, choices and preferences.” from the report
Kind and respectful care
Staff knew people well and responded to signs of distress. They respected people's dignity, privacy and preferred ways of communicating.
“People at The Poplars were treated with kindness and compassion.” from the report
Good health support
Staff helped people access health services and followed professional advice. They also supported healthy eating and weight management where needed.
“People were supported to lead healthy lives and had access to healthcare services.” from the report
Open management
The manager was closely involved, staff understood what was expected and the home used audits and feedback to improve care.
“There was a clear quality assurance process in place which reviewed care plans, daily records of care, medicines and health and safety in the home.” from the report
As-needed medicines records
needs fixingMedicine records did not fully explain when as-needed medicines should be given, when to seek professional advice or how staff should identify pain. The manager agreed to update the guidance immediately.
“More detail was required in people's care plans about 'as required (PRN)' medicines.” from the report
Advance care planning
minorThe home had not needed to provide end of life care, but inspectors recommended putting advance care plans in place so people's wishes would be recorded if needed.
“We recommend the service utilise best practice guidance to implement advance care plans with people.” from the report
Cosmetic works
minorThe premises met people's needs, but some cosmetic work was needed. This had been passed to the provider so a works plan could be made.
“The premises met the needs of people, there were some cosmetic works needed, however these had been escalated to the provider to create a plan of works required.” from the report
- 01What changes have been made to the guidance and records for as-needed medicines since the inspection?
- 02How do staff decide when to give an as-needed medicine and when to contact another health professional?
- 03Have advance care plans now been discussed and recorded with each person?
- 04What cosmetic works were identified, and have they been completed?
- 05How will you support my relative to build independence, choose activities and communicate their needs?
This was an unannounced comprehensive inspection of the care home and personal care support in nearby supported living settings; CQC did not inspect the premises used for supported living. This explanation was written from the published report of 11 January 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 Poplars
Each visit the CQC has published, newest first, back to the day the home was registered.
- January 2019Goodcurrent ratingSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- December 2017
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 13 December 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
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26 live-in carers within about an hour of Hampshire
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 £1,020 to £1,260 a week. 23 can care for a couple. 14 years' experience on average.
“I cannot recommend Prisca highly enough, she is one in a million.”
“He stayed with her throughout the pandemic, refusing to visit his own family, who lived nearby, to reduce the risk of infection.”
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.