CQC report explained · a nursing home
What the CQC found at Thorpe Wood Care Home
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors found risk assessments, enough suitably trained staff, safe recruitment checks and infection control measures. However, medicine administration and stock records were not always accurate.
- Effective?
- Good
- This area was not inspected during this focused visit. Its previous rating was carried forward when calculating the overall rating.
- Caring?
- Good
- This area was not inspected during this focused visit. Its previous rating was carried forward when calculating the overall rating.
- Responsive?
- Good
- This area was not inspected during this focused visit. Its previous rating was carried forward when calculating the overall rating.
- Well-led?
- Good
- Inspectors found approachable leadership, quality checks and action plans for improvement. The home worked with relatives and health and social care professionals.
What inspectors found, February 2021
Rated Good; inspectors found safe systems and supportive leadership, but medicines records were not always complete.
This was an unannounced focused inspection on 12 and 20 January 2021. Inspectors looked only at Safe and Well-led because concerns had been raised about protecting people from abuse.
The home was rated Good for Safe and Well-led. Inspectors found risk assessments, enough staff, safe recruitment checks and infection control measures. Relatives said staff helped their family members feel safe.
There was a medicines recording problem. Staff did not always follow the correct process for medicine patches, and one stock check found one more tablet than the records showed. The provider had already identified this and said action was being taken.
The other three areas were not inspected during this visit. Their previous ratings were used in calculating the overall Good rating.
Protection from abuse
Staff understood how to recognise abuse and use safeguarding procedures. Inspectors found no evidence that people were at risk of harm from the concern that led to the inspection.
“Staff had received training and had a good understanding of the providers safeguarding systems and procedures” from the report
Risk management
The home had risk assessments and acted on incidents, accidents and referrals to health professionals to help reduce risks.
“Risk assessments were completed to identify risks to people's health and safety, such as their risk of falls.” from the report
Staffing and recruitment
Inspectors found enough staff with relevant skills, including capacity to cover unexpected absences. Recruitment checks and induction were in place.
“There were enough staff with relevant skills and there was also capacity to cover unplanned staff absences.” from the report
Management oversight
The home had audits and governance systems to identify improvements. Staff and relatives described the manager as approachable and supportive.
“Systems were in place to assess and monitor the quality and safety of the service provided to people, with provider oversight.” from the report
Medicine records
needs fixingMedicine procedures were not always followed. Inspectors could not always confirm from the records that medicines had been given as prescribed, and one stock check did not match the records.
“It was not possible to check if all medication had been administered as prescribed.” from the report
Timely safeguarding notifications
needs fixingInspectors reminded the manager that safeguarding teams must be told as soon as possible about allegations, so they can decide what should happen next. The report says a later allegation was reported promptly.
“We discussed with the registered manager the importance of ensuring the safeguarding team are notified as soon as possible of any incidents” from the report
- 01What changes have been made to ensure medicine patch procedures are always followed?
- 02How do you now check that medicine stock matches the administration records?
- 03How quickly are safeguarding allegations reported to the relevant agencies, and how is this checked?
- 04What further training has been given to staff about supporting people who show signs of distressed behaviour?
- 05How will relatives be kept in contact with people living here if visiting restrictions return?
This was a focused inspection of Safe and Well-led only; Effective, Caring and Responsive were not inspected and their previous ratings were used for the overall rating. This explanation was written from the published report of 24 February 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, January 2020
Rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and personalised care, with some care records needing more detail.
This was the home’s first inspection. It was unannounced and took place on 12 December 2019. Inspectors spoke with people living there, relatives, staff, a visitor and a health professional. They also checked care records, medicines records, staff files and management records.
The home was supporting 27 people aged 65 and over. People said they felt happy and safe. Inspectors found enough staff, safe medicines systems, suitable training, good support with food and healthcare, and care that respected people’s privacy, dignity, choices and independence.
Inspectors found personalised care, a wide range of activities and good communication with relatives and other professionals. The home had systems for complaints, audits and learning from incidents. All five areas were rated Good, meaning inspectors judged the service to be consistently managed and providing good-quality care at the time of the inspection.
Kind and respectful staff
People and relatives were positive about the staff. Inspectors saw that staff treated people with compassion and put their needs first.
“Staff were very passionate about their jobs. They treated people well and demonstrated that people were at the heart of everything they did.” from the report
Safe environment
The home had risk assessments, emergency plans and checks on equipment and fire systems. It was also found to be very clean.
“The service was spotlessly clean and smelt fresh throughout.” from the report
Good health support
Staff knew people well and recognised when they might be unwell. They contacted healthcare professionals and followed advice.
“Staff communicate fantastically and always report any concerns and seek advice where appropriate.” from the report
Choice and activities
People could choose their food, activities and how they spent their time. The home offered group and individual activities and supported trips into the community.
“The activities team organised a very wide range of activities for people to get involved in.” from the report
Open management
The manager was available to people, relatives and staff. Audits identified shortfalls and recorded actions, responsibilities and timescales.
“The management team had an open-door policy. There was management cover at the weekends so that there was always someone that people or their visitors could talk to.” from the report
Some medicines instructions needed more detail
needs fixingInstructions for medicines prescribed to be given when needed did not initially give staff all the information required. The manager addressed this during the inspection.
“Protocols in place for medicines prescribed to be given 'when required' safely needed some additional information to give staff full information on how they were to be given.” from the report
Some care plans lacked detail
needs fixingSome care plans did not include all the detail staff might need, such as clear cross-references to other information. The manager and provider agreed to improve this.
“Some care plans were lacking in a few details, such as cross referencing to where to find additional information.” from the report
- 01What changes have you made to the instructions for medicines given when needed?
- 02How do you make sure each person’s care plan contains all the information staff need?
- 03How are staff deployed at busy times, such as when people get up or go to bed?
- 04How would you support my relative’s wishes if they needed end of life care?
- 05How can relatives raise concerns or take part in meetings and decisions about the home?
This was an unannounced first inspection covering all five CQC questions; there was no previous rating to compare with. This explanation was written from the published report of 8 January 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.
Every inspection of Thorpe Wood Care Home
2 rated inspections over a year: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- February 2021Goodcurrent ratingstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- January 2020GoodSafe: GoodWell-led: Good
- December 2018
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 12 December 2018.
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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39 live-in carers within about an hour of Peterborough
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 £980 to £1,370 a week. 34 can care for a couple. 11 years' experience on average.
“I honestly feel lucky to have found her and have already booked her for another visit.”
“Magda was always positive and proactive about trying new things to keep dad busy. She also introduced new ideas for keeping dad healthy.”
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.