CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at The Retreat
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors were assured that infection risks were being managed. This included cleaning, PPE, testing, visitor arrangements, social distancing and plans for outbreaks or self-isolation.
- Effective?
- Good
- This question was not covered by this targeted inspection.
- Caring?
- Good
- This question was not covered by this targeted inspection.
- Responsive?
- Good
- This question was not covered by this targeted inspection.
- Well-led?
- Good
- This question was not covered by this targeted inspection.
What inspectors found, March 2021
The Retreat was inspected but not rated; inspectors were assured that infection risks were being managed during the pandemic.
This was an announced, targeted inspection on 11 March 2021. Inspectors looked at infection prevention and control measures in response to COVID-19.
Inspectors found regular cleaning, extra cleaning hours and staff training on working safely during the pandemic. They were assured that PPE, testing, shielding, social distancing and visitor arrangements were being used appropriately.
The service was inspected but not rated overall, and the Safe question was also inspected but not rated. This report does not assess the other four questions about care quality.
Regular cleaning
The home had increased cleaning hours during the pandemic, with cleaning staff working seven days a week.
“Increased cleaning hours had been introduced since the start of the pandemic. Cleaning staff now worked seven days a week.” from the report
PPE and testing
Staff used the provided PPE appropriately, and staff and residents were tested in line with national guidance.
“Staff used the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) provided appropriately.” from the report
Safer visits
Visitors used a designated entrance and were screened and tested to help make visits safer.
“Arrangements had been made for visitors to enter the care home through a designated entrance and to be screened and tested to ensure visits to people were safe.” from the report
Support for staff
Staff received practical and financial support when they had to isolate. Their mental wellbeing was also supported through regular drop-in sessions.
“The mental wellbeing of staff was supported through regular 'drop-in' sessions with the registered manager.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How have your cleaning hours and infection-control arrangements changed since the inspection on 11 March 2021?
- 02What screening and testing arrangements are currently used for visitors?
- 03What happens if a resident or staff member needs to self-isolate?
- 04How do you currently support residents with dementia to identify staff who are wearing PPE?
- 05Can you provide your latest ratings or inspection information for Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control under the Safe question; it did not assess the other four questions and gave no ratings. This explanation was written from the published report of 26 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
The Retreat was rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and personalised care, with strong support for choice, health and activities.
This was an unannounced comprehensive inspection on 19 February 2019. One inspector observed care, spoke with people, relatives, the manager and staff, and checked care, medicines, recruitment, training, safety and quality records.
The home was rated Good in all five areas: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. Inspectors found enough staff, safe medicines management, suitable training, personalised care and positive relationships between people and staff.
People were supported to make choices and stay independent. They took part in activities such as carriage riding, day trips, social clubs and day centres. The home had remained Good since the previous comprehensive inspection in October 2016.
Personalised care
Care records reflected people's wishes, routines and needs. Staff understood people well and supported them to be as independent as possible.
“People's care and support was individualised, reflecting their personal wishes, routines and lifestyle choices.” from the report
Choice and independence
People made day-to-day choices about food, activities and where to spend their time. Staff used the least restrictive approach and supported people to take part in community life.
“People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible” from the report
Kind relationships
Inspectors saw relaxed and positive relationships between people and staff. Relatives also gave positive feedback about the care and atmosphere.
“People were treated with kindness and care. They had positive relationships with staff.” from the report
Activities and inclusion
People took part in a wide range of activities, including day trips, social clubs, day centres, shopping and carriage riding. Arrangements were adapted so people could continue activities when their mobility changed.
“People were busily engaged in their activities during the inspection.” from the report
Good oversight
The manager used audits, surveys, complaints and incident reviews to monitor the service. Actions for improvement were checked to make sure they had been completed.
“The registered manager had effective systems in place to monitor the quality of services and care provided to people.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How will you assess and review my relative's individual needs and personal routines?
- 02How do you support people with communication needs, including spoken language, sign language or pictorial prompts?
- 03What activities and community opportunities would be available for my relative, and how would these change if their mobility declined?
- 04How would you support my relative if they became anxious, upset or distressed?
- 05How would you manage any choking risk, special diet or other health needs?
This was an unannounced comprehensive inspection covering all five CQC questions, with observations, discussions and checks of care, medicines, staffing, safety and quality records. This explanation was written from the published report of 13 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 Retreat
3 rated inspections over 4 years: the service has improved, from Requires improvement to Good.
- March 2021Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- March 2019Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- November 2016Goodup from Requires improvementSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- June 2015Requires improvementSafe: Requires improvementEffective: Requires improvementCaring: Requires improvementResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- October 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- October 2012
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 1 October 2012.
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
38 live-in carers within about an hour of Gloucestershire
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 £1,030 to £1,360 a week. 31 can care for a couple. 12 years' experience on average.
“She was very caring, kind and patient to all his needs, she built up a wondetful rapport with him, she was dedicated and was there for him through good times as well as through the tough times”
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.