CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Tripletrees
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors were assured about PPE, testing, cleaning, visitor safety, social distancing and plans to prevent or manage COVID-19 outbreaks.
- Effective?
- Good
- Not covered by this targeted inspection.
- Caring?
- Outstanding
- Not covered by this targeted inspection.
- Responsive?
- Good
- Not covered by this targeted inspection.
- Well-led?
- Good
- Not covered by this targeted inspection.
What inspectors found, February 2021
Tripletrees was inspected but not rated; inspectors found good COVID-19 infection control arrangements.
The CQC visited the home on 3 February 2021. This was an announced, targeted inspection during the coronavirus pandemic.
Inspectors looked at infection prevention and control. They were assured that the home used PPE safely, arranged testing, kept the building clean, managed visitors and had plans to prevent or manage outbreaks.
The home was inspected but not rated. This report does not give an overall rating or ratings for the other four areas of care.
Outbreak planning
The home had plans to isolate people with COVID-19 and manage infection risks.
“Plans were in place to isolate people with COVID-19 to minimise transmission.” from the report
PPE and testing
Inspectors found supplies of PPE and regular COVID-19 testing for people living in the home and staff.
“Staff had received training on how to keep people safe during the COVID-19 pandemic and staff and residents were regularly tested for COVID-19.” from the report
Visitor controls
Visitors had checks on arrival, including testing, temperature checks, hand sanitising and signing in.
“Visitors were asked to take a lateral flow COVID-19 test, have their temperature checked, use hand sanitiser and sign in on arrival.” from the report
Clean environment
The building was clean and uncluttered. The home also changed some sanitiser dispensers after people found the original pumps difficult to use.
“The building was clean and free from clutter.” from the report
Family contact
People were supported to stay in touch with family and friends by phone and online, alongside carefully managed in-person visits.
“People were well supported by staff to have telephone and internet contact with their family and friends.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How are people isolated if they develop COVID-19 or have been exposed to it?
- 02How often are people living in the home and staff tested, and what happens after a positive result?
- 03How are visitors currently checked and supported to avoid spreading infection?
- 04How do you make sure PPE is available and used correctly throughout the home?
- 05How are family visits, telephone contact and activities being supported now?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control during the coronavirus pandemic; the service was inspected but not rated and the other care areas were not assessed. 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, December 2018
Tripletrees was rated Good overall, with Outstanding care; inspectors found a safe, kind and well-run home.
This was an unannounced inspection on 13 November 2018. One inspector and an expert-by-experience spoke with people, relatives, staff and a healthcare professional. They observed care, mealtimes and medicines, and checked care records, staff records and management records.
The home supported 28 people, including older people and people living with dementia. Inspectors found enough suitable staff, safe medicines management, clean surroundings and good support for people's health, food, drink and communication needs.
Care was rated Outstanding. Staff were exceptionally kind and took time to understand people's histories, wishes and feelings. The home used personal activities, technology and thoughtful support to help people feel valued and engaged.
The overall rating was Good, and the home remained Good compared with the previous inspection in April 2016. Effective, responsive and well-led care were also rated Good. Caring improved to Outstanding.
Exceptional kindness
Staff built warm relationships and took extra steps to understand what mattered to people. They supported personal wishes and helped people feel secure, valued and loved.
“People were supported by extremely kind and caring staff. Staff went the extra-mile to ensure people's needs were known and met.” from the report
Personalised activities
The home used tablets with personal photographs, music and programmes, as well as trips, conversations and other activities linked to people's lives and interests.
“Innovative practices had been developed and were used to encourage conversations and interact with people.” from the report
Safe staffing and medicines
Inspectors found enough staff with suitable checks and training. Medicines were administered by trained staff and checked through audits.
“People had access to sufficient staff to meet their needs.” from the report
Good health support
Staff noticed changes in people's health and made timely referrals. They worked with healthcare professionals to coordinate care.
“They really work with us to make sure people are getting good care” from the report
People's views mattered
Residents and relatives could raise concerns and suggest changes. The report says the home acted on feedback and dealt with concerns appropriately.
“People and their relatives told us that they would feel comfortable raising concerns.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How will you personalise activities and daily routines for my relative's interests, history and abilities?
- 02How do you make sure medicines are reviewed and given safely, including medicines taken only when needed?
- 03How many staff are normally available on each shift, and how do you respond if someone needs help in their room?
- 04How will you support my relative's communication needs if they cannot use a call bell or need information in an accessible format?
- 05How are families involved in care reviews, end of life planning and decisions about changes in health?
This was an unannounced comprehensive inspection covering all five key questions, including care, accommodation, medicines, records and management systems. This explanation was written from the published report of 11 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 Tripletrees
2 rated inspections over 3 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- February 2021Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- December 2018Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: OutstandingResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- May 2016GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- July 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- January 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- July 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- April 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- December 2010
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 31 December 2010.
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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28 live-in carers within about an hour of West Sussex
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 £1,020 to £1,170 a week. 23 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.