CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at The Steppes Residential Care Home
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
What inspectors found, March 2022
The Steppes Residential Care Home was inspected but not rated; inspectors found good COVID-19 infection control and visiting arrangements.
This was a targeted inspection on 27 January 2022. It focused on infection prevention and control, visiting arrangements and whether COVID-19 staffing pressures affected people.
Inspectors found regular testing for people and staff, suitable use of PPE, cleaning arrangements and checks for visitors. New people were supported to isolate and were admitted only after screening and a negative COVID-19 test.
The home had arrangements for relatives to visit safely, including a visiting pod and telephone or virtual contact. The service was inspected but not rated, so this report does not give an overall quality rating.
PPE and infection control
The home had enough PPE, organised stations and staff training. Inspectors observed staff using PPE safely.
“The provider had sufficient stock of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) which was well organised in designated areas for donning and doffing (put on and take off).” from the report
Safe family visits
The home had systems to support visits safely, including a visiting pod and other forms of contact.
“The service had systems in place for safe visiting to allow people to see and speak to their friends and relatives.” from the report
Testing and admissions
Regular testing was in place for people and staff. New admissions were screened, supported to isolate and accepted only after a negative COVID-19 test.
“The provider participated in the Covid-19 regular testing programme for both people and staff.” from the report
Cleaning and outbreak planning
There was a cleaning schedule covering frequently touched surfaces, and the registered manager knew what to do if an outbreak occurred.
“A cleaning schedule was in place to ensure effective cleaning took place, which included enhanced cleaning of frequently touched surfaces.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How are visits arranged now, and are there any restrictions or booking requirements?
- 02How often are people using the home and staff tested for infections now?
- 03How do you manage new admissions, including screening and isolation?
- 04What measures are currently used if there are staffing pressures linked to COVID-19?
- 05Where are PPE supplies kept, and what training do staff receive on using them?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control, visiting arrangements and COVID-19-related staffing pressures; the service was inspected but not rated and the other areas were not assessed. This explanation was written from the published report of 4 March 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, April 2018
Rated Good overall, but Safe was Requires Improvement because medicines management still needed further work.
This was an unannounced inspection on 30 and 31 January 2018. One inspector and an expert by experience spoke with people, relatives, staff and a healthcare professional. They observed care and checked care plans, medicines, recruitment, training and management records.
The home had improved since the previous inspection. Care plans were more detailed and reviewed monthly. Medicines were given as prescribed, staffing had improved, and infection control in the laundry was better.
People were treated kindly and respectfully. They had choices about their care, food and activities. The home was rated Good overall, with Good ratings for Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. Safe was rated Requires Improvement because medicines records and procedures were not yet consistently in line with best practice.
Improved care planning
Care plans contained more detailed information about people's individual needs and were reviewed each month.
“There was a new detailed care planning system and people's individual care was recorded and reviewed monthly to ensure they were safe and well.” from the report
Kind and respectful care
Inspectors saw positive relationships between staff and people. Privacy, dignity and independence were supported.
“People were treated with kindness and compassion and we observed staff engaged with people positively to support their wellbeing.” from the report
Activities and community links
People could choose from activities such as exercise, arts and crafts, music, bingo and walks. The home also arranged trips into the local community.
“People had a range of activities to choose from which included exercise classes, arts and crafts, musical entertainments, bingo and walks into town.” from the report
Improved oversight
The home had introduced more regular audits and action plans to identify and address shortfalls.
“We found an improvement in quality assurance procedures which included many audits.” from the report
Medicine records
needs fixingRecords for blood-thinning medicines did not always clearly show test results, doses or stock carried forward. This made it harder to complete an accurate medicines audit.
“Some improvement was needed in the managing of people's blood thinning medicines.” from the report
Written insulin instructions
needs fixingStaff initially did not have written protocols for people receiving insulin. The manager contacted the GP surgery and district nurses, and written protocols were put in place immediately.
“However there were no written protocols from district nurses for people with diabetes receiving insulin to ensure staff took the correct action when required.” from the report
- 01How are blood-thinning medicine test results and doses recorded now?
- 02How do you check that medicine stock records are complete and accurate each month?
- 03What written instructions are now in place for people who receive insulin?
- 04How often are care plans reviewed, and how will you make sure changes in needs are shared at staff handovers?
- 05What action do you take if a medicines audit identifies a problem?
This was an unannounced inspection of the overall service, including care, accommodation, medicines, staffing, records and management systems. This explanation was written from the published report of 7 April 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 Steppes Residential Care Home
2 rated inspections over a year: the service has improved, from Requires improvement to Good.
- March 2022Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
Read what inspectors found at The Steppes Residential Care Home →
- April 2018Goodup from Requires improvementSafe: Requires improvementEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
Read what inspectors found at The Steppes Residential Care Home →
- January 2017Requires improvementSafe: Requires improvementEffective: Requires improvementCaring: Requires improvementResponsive: Requires improvementWell-led: Requires improvement
- December 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- January 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- February 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- January 2011
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 17 January 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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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.
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