CQC report explained · a nursing home
What the CQC found at Thomas Knight Care Home
Rated Requires improvement: inspectors found the home was not performing as well as it should and told it what to change.
What inspectors found, July 2022
Inspected but not rated; inspectors found good infection control, but visiting arrangements were not in line with guidance.
This was an unannounced, targeted inspection on 21 June 2022. It looked at infection prevention and control, visiting arrangements and whether staffing pressures were affecting people.
Inspectors found that staff understood how to use and dispose of protective equipment safely. The home was clean and hygienic, testing arrangements were in place, and infection risks had been assessed.
Visitors could visit and relatives said they were happy with the arrangements. However, visitors were asked to arrange visits in advance, which was not in line with current government guidance. The manager said this would be reviewed.
The service was inspected but not rated. This report therefore does not provide an overall quality rating or rated results for all five areas.
Good infection control knowledge
Staff understood how to use, remove and dispose of protective equipment safely. They were also following current COVID-19 testing guidance.
“Staff had good knowledge of infection prevention and control (IPC), and knew how to put on, take off and dispose of PPE in a safe way.” from the report
Clean and hygienic premises
Inspectors found the premises clean and hygienic, with protective equipment stored safely.
“The premises was clean and hygienic. PPE was stored appropriately and safely.” from the report
Support for family contact
People were supported to keep in touch with family and friends, including through visits and trips into the local community.
“People were supported to maintain contact with family and friends. Some people were going out and about in the local community.” from the report
Relatives were happy with visiting
Although visits had to be arranged in advance, relatives told inspectors they were happy with how visiting was managed.
“Relatives we spoke with said they were happy with how visiting was being managed.” from the report
Visiting process did not follow guidance
needs fixingVisitors were asked to contact the home before visiting so visits could be arranged. Inspectors said this was not in line with current government guidance, although the manager said it would be reviewed.
“Visiting arrangements were not in line with current government guidance.” from the report
- 01Have visiting arrangements changed since this inspection, and can family members visit without arranging each visit in advance?
- 02How are visitors currently told about infection control, protective equipment and testing?
- 03How does the home manage staffing pressures linked to COVID-19?
- 04How does the home support residents to keep contact with family and friends and go out into the local community?
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 other care areas were not assessed. This explanation was written from the published report of 2 July 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 2022
Thomas Knight Care Home is rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind care, but records for some mental-capacity decisions were inconsistent.
This was the first inspection of the newly registered home. It was unannounced and took place over three days. Inspectors spoke with people, relatives and staff, observed care, and checked care plans, medicines and other records.
The home was rated Good in all five areas: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. People said they felt safe and well cared for. Inspectors found enough staff, safe medicines arrangements, suitable infection control, personalised care and good access to healthcare.
There were some gaps in recording mental-capacity assessments and best-interest decisions. The home was asked to improve this. Inspectors also noted that a policy on sexuality and sexual relationships was not yet in place, and discussed clearer cross-referencing in the new electronic care records.
People felt safe
People told inspectors they felt safe and well cared for. Staff knew how to report concerns about abuse or harm.
“People told us they felt safe and well cared for.” from the report
Personalised support
Care plans included people's physical, emotional and social needs, along with their preferences for how care should be given.
“Care plans contained information on people's emotional, physical and social needs.” from the report
Activities and relationships
People could take part in activities in the home and local community, and were supported to keep in touch with people who mattered to them.
“People had a range of activities they could be involved in.” from the report
Respectful care
Inspectors observed staff protecting people's privacy and dignity and communicating with them before providing care.
“Staff maintained people's privacy and dignity.” from the report
Open management
The manager was visible, staff felt supported, and systems were used to monitor quality and learn from incidents.
“The atmosphere in the home was warm and friendly.” from the report
Mental-capacity records
needs fixingSome mental-capacity assessments were not specific to the decision being made. Some best-interest records did not explain what decision had been made or how it was reached.
“Some mental capacity assessments were not decision specific.” from the report
Policy on sexuality and relationships
minorThe home did not have a policy covering sexuality and sexual relationships at the time of inspection. The manager agreed to review this.
“The home currently does not have a policy in place on sexuality and sexual relationships which the registered manager has agreed to review.” from the report
Electronic care records
minorBecause a new electronic system was being used, inspectors discussed making sure related documents were clearly linked to each other.
“we discussed with the registered manager ensuring that documents were cross referenced with each other” from the report
- 01What has changed in the way you record decision-specific mental-capacity assessments?
- 02How do you record and review best-interest decisions, including the decision made and how it was reached?
- 03Has the policy on sexuality and sexual relationships now been reviewed and put in place?
- 04How do you make sure related documents in the electronic care system are clearly cross-referenced?
- 05How will you support my relative to take part in activities and maintain important relationships?
This was an unannounced first inspection of the newly registered care home and covered all five key questions, including infection prevention and control under Safe. This explanation was written from the published report of 28 April 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.
Every inspection of Thomas Knight Care Home
4 rated inspections over 7 years: the service has improved, from Requires improvement to Good.
- July 2022Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- April 2022Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- December 2018Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- September 2016Goodup from Requires improvementSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- January 2015Requires improvementSafe: Requires improvementEffective: Requires improvementCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Requires improvement
- March 2020
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 23 March 2020.
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
23 live-in carers within about an hour of Northumberland
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 £950 to £1,190 a week. 20 can care for a couple. 11 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.