CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Thorncliffe House
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors were assured that the home was following safe infection prevention and control procedures. They found suitable arrangements for visitors, PPE, testing, cleaning, social distancing and managing outbreaks.
- Effective?
- Good
- Does the care work? Training, consent, food and drink, working with GPs and nurses.
- Caring?
- Good
- Are people treated with kindness and dignity?
- Responsive?
- Good
- Is care built around the person? Care plans, activities, complaints.
- Well-led?
- Good
- Is the home run well? The manager, the culture, how problems get found and fixed.
What inspectors found, November 2020
Inspected but not rated; inspectors were assured that infection prevention and control arrangements were safe.
The CQC visited the home on 19 November 2020. This was an announced, targeted inspection during the coronavirus pandemic.
Inspectors looked at infection prevention and control. They found suitable visitor checks, hand hygiene, personal protective equipment, cleaning, social distancing and testing arrangements.
People were supported to keep in touch with family during visiting restrictions. The home was inspected but not rated, so this report does not give an overall quality rating.
Infection control
Visitors had to use PPE and follow hand hygiene guidance. Inspectors found the home was clean and that extra cleaning was taking place.
“The environment was very clean and additional cleaning was taking place.” from the report
PPE and staff training
The home had enough PPE, clear guidance and staff training on infection prevention and control.
“There were sufficient stocks of personal protective equipment (PPE).” from the report
Family contact
Staff helped people stay in contact with relatives during visiting restrictions. The home also adapted a vehicle so people could see shielding relatives safely.
“Staff supported people's social and emotional wellbeing.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01What infection prevention and control arrangements are in place now?
- 02How do you manage visits and contact with families?
- 03How often are staff and residents tested, and what happens if there is a positive result?
- 04How do you support people with dementia to stay socially and emotionally well?
- 05What are the current arrangements for PPE, cleaning and social distancing?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control practices only; the service was inspected but not rated overall. This explanation was written from the published report of 27 November 2020 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, July 2018
Rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and person-centred care, with a few minor issues to address.
Inspectors visited on 2 and 5 July 2018. The first visit was unannounced. They spoke with people living in the home, relatives, managers and staff, and checked care records, staff files, medicines, policies and the building.
The home was rated Good overall and Good in all five areas: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. Inspectors found enough staff, suitable training, safe medicines systems, respectful care and up-to-date person-centred care records.
This was an improvement from the previous inspection in June 2017, when the home was rated Requires Improvement and had breached rules about person-centred care and good governance. Inspectors said the identified areas had improved and the home was now rated Good.
Improvement since the last inspection
The home had addressed the areas identified at the previous inspection and its rating improved from Requires Improvement to Good.
“At this inspection we found improvements had been made in all the areas identified at the previous inspection and the service was now rated Good.” from the report
Respect and independence
Staff treated people politely, protected their privacy and encouraged them to do things for themselves where possible.
“Staff treated people with dignity and respect and independence was promoted.” from the report
Safe medicines
Medicines were stored and administered safely. The records checked by inspectors were accurate and up to date.
“People were protected against the risks associated with the unsafe use and management of medicines.” from the report
Meal-time communication
needs fixingTwo people were served their main meal without staff interaction or information about what they were being given. The manager said this would be addressed.
“However, we did see two people being served their main meal without any interaction from staff or information on what they were being given.” from the report
Empty bedroom odour
minorInspectors noticed an odour in an empty bedroom. The manager said it would be cleaned and refurbished before anyone moved into it.
“However, we did notice an odour in an empty bedroom.” from the report
Missing identity document
minorOne staff file did not contain photographic identification. The manager said this would be added when the staff member's DBS check was renewed.
“One staff file did not include photographic identification for the staff member.” from the report
- 01How was the issue about staff not explaining meals to two people followed up?
- 02Has the empty bedroom been cleaned and refurbished, and how do you check rooms before they are occupied?
- 03Was photographic identification added to the staff file that was missing it?
- 04How are residents and families involved in reviewing care plans and personal choices?
- 05Which activities and community links are currently available, and how do you adapt them for people living with dementia?
This was a comprehensive inspection covering all five CQC key questions, with visits to the home on 2 and 5 July 2018. This explanation was written from the published report of 28 July 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 Thorncliffe House
4 rated inspections over 3 years: the service has improved, from Inadequate to Good.
- November 2020Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- July 2018Goodup from Requires improvementSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- July 2017Requires improvementstayed Requires improvementSafe: Requires improvementEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: Requires improvementWell-led: Requires improvement
- May 2016Requires improvementup from InadequateSafe: Requires improvementEffective: Requires improvementCaring: GoodResponsive: Requires improvementWell-led: Requires improvement
- November 2015InadequateSafe: InadequateEffective: Requires improvementCaring: Requires improvementResponsive: Requires improvementWell-led: Inadequate
- October 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- July 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- September 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- January 2011
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 19 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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46 live-in carers within about an hour of Sunderland
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 £1,210 a week. 42 can care for a couple. 10 years' experience on average.
“Petty introduced herself to Mum every time she was caring for her and responded very quickly to Mum if she was distressed in the night.”
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.