CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Townfield and Coach House
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors were assured that infection risks were managed, including visitor screening, safe admissions, PPE, testing, cleaning, social distancing and outbreak planning.
- Effective?
- Good
- This question was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
- Caring?
- Good
- This question was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
- Responsive?
- Good
- This question was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
- Well-led?
- Good
- This question was not assessed as a separate question in this targeted inspection, although inspectors considered infection control policies, audits and contingency planning.
What inspectors found, March 2021
Inspected but not rated; inspectors were assured that infection prevention and control arrangements were in place.
This was a targeted inspection during the COVID-19 pandemic. Inspectors checked how the home was preventing and controlling infection. The visit took place on 24 February 2021 and was announced 24 hours beforehand.
Inspectors were assured about visitor screening, social distancing, admissions, PPE, testing, cleaning, ventilation and outbreak planning. They also found sufficient staff to provide continuity of support if there was a staff shortage.
The home was inspected but not rated. This report does not provide an overall quality rating, and it does not assess all five areas of care.
Visitor safety
Visitors were screened when entering, with health and temperature checks and PPE provided. The home had also built two visitor pods with external access.
“The registered manager had introduced a screening process for visitors when entering the building, which included health and temperature checks as well as the provision of personal protective equipment (PPE).” from the report
Safe admissions
New residents were admitted after a negative COVID-19 test and were supported to self-isolate for up to 14 days.
“People were only admitted following a negative COVID-19 test result and supported to self-isolate for up to 14 days following admission” from the report
Clean environment
Inspectors found the home clean and hygienic, with enhanced cleaning and good ventilation.
“The premises had a good level of cleanliness and was hygienic throughout.” from the report
PPE and staffing
There were plentiful PPE supplies, staff used PPE appropriately, and staffing arrangements supported continuity if there was a shortage.
“There were sufficient staff to provide continuity of support should there be a staff shortage.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How are visitors currently screened, and are health checks and PPE still used?
- 02What happens when someone is admitted, including COVID-19 testing and self-isolation?
- 03How do you monitor PPE supplies, staff training and correct PPE use?
- 04How often are enhanced cleaning schedules, ventilation and infection control procedures checked?
- 05What arrangements are in place to maintain staffing if there is a shortage?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control during the COVID-19 pandemic; the service was inspected but not rated and the other areas were not assessed. This explanation was written from the published report of 19 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, December 2018
Townfield and Coach House was rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and personalised care with no serious risks identified.
This was an unannounced comprehensive inspection. The report says the visit took place on 14 November 2018, although the front page gives 15 November 2018. The inspector observed care, spoke with visitors and staff, and checked care, risk, medicines and recruitment records.
The home supported up to 28 older people living with dementia. At the inspection, 25 people lived there. Inspectors found people were safe, medicines were managed properly, staffing was sufficient, and the home was clean and well maintained.
Staff were described as kind, respectful and knowledgeable about people's needs. Care plans were detailed and kept up to date. People were supported with food, healthcare, activities, relationships and end of life care.
All five areas were rated Good: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. The overall rating remained Good, as it had been at the previous inspection in June 2016. The report found no evidence of serious risks or concerns.
Safe staffing and risk management
The home reviewed staffing each day and had risk plans for issues such as falls and pressure sores. Staff understood how to keep people safe.
“Staffing levels were reviewed on a daily basis to ensure that the changing needs of the people using the service consistently receive the care they need.” from the report
Kind and dignified care
Inspectors saw staff speaking calmly and respectfully, giving people time and protecting their dignity.
“The interactions we saw throughout the inspection were kind and respectful with staff giving people their full attention and not rushing them at all.” from the report
Personalised care
Care plans included people's backgrounds, wishes, likes and dislikes. Staff encouraged people to do what they could for themselves.
“Care plans were tailored to a person's individual needs; they were up to date and reviewed regularly.” from the report
Dementia-friendly environment
The home had adapted its layout, decoration and lounges to help people living with dementia stay calm and connected to their surroundings.
“The dementia friendly environment helped people stay calm and connected to their surroundings which promotes wellbeing.” from the report
Support for families at end of life
Staff had end of life training and provided support to both the person and their relatives. Extra staff could be added when someone was nearing the end of life.
“All staff had received training in end of life care and were observed supporting not only the resident but the family members also.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How are staffing levels adjusted when people's needs or moods change during the day?
- 02How will my relative's care plan record their background, wishes, communication needs and ability to do things independently?
- 03What activities are available for people living with dementia, and how are they adapted to individual abilities?
- 04How will the home involve our family in care planning, residents' forums and feedback?
- 05What support is provided to relatives when a person is receiving end of life care?
This was an unannounced comprehensive inspection covering all five questions; inspectors mainly observed care because most people living with dementia could not communicate their views, and they also checked records and spoke with visitors and staff. This explanation was written from the published report of 13 December 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 Townfield and Coach House
2 rated inspections over 2 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- March 2021Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- December 2018Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- June 2016GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- January 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- February 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- January 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- May 2011
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 5 May 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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85 live-in carers within about an hour of Lancashire
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 £1,260 a week. 78 can care for a couple. 11 years' experience on average.
“She understands the needs of an elderly person in the early stages of dementia and has treated my mother with great kindness and skill.”
“Thanks to Tracy, Dad was always immaculately dressed and clean, his meals were all home cooked and nutritionally well balanced and his home was always kept really clean and tidy.”
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.