CQC report explained · a nursing home
What the CQC found at Tunbridge Wells Care Centre
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors were assured that infection prevention measures were in place. This included PPE, testing, cleaning, visitor checks, isolation plans and up-to-date infection control policies.
- 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, April 2021
Inspected but not rated; inspectors found strong COVID-19 infection controls and support for family contact.
This was a targeted inspection on 16 March 2021. It looked at infection prevention and control measures during the coronavirus pandemic. The inspection was announced.
Inspectors were assured that the home used personal protective equipment safely, arranged testing, kept the building clean and managed infection risks. Visitors were screened, tested and asked to wash their hands.
People were supported to keep in touch with family and friends by telephone, internet and carefully arranged visits. Staff also provided activities, which were recorded on the electronic care system.
Family contact
The home supported people to stay in touch with relatives through telephone, internet and visits arranged to reduce infection risks.
“People were well supported by staff to have telephone and internet contact with their family and friends.” from the report
Infection control
Inspectors found PPE was available, visitors were screened and tested, and plans were in place to isolate people with COVID-19.
“Plans were in place to isolate people with COVID-19 to minimise transmission.” from the report
Clean environment
The building was clean and uncluttered. High-touch areas were cleaned several times a day, including visitor areas between uses.
“The building was clean and free from clutter.” from the report
Activities and stimulation
Staff supported activities and recorded them on the electronic care system, which relatives could view.
“Daily activities were recorded on the electronic care system and could be viewed by relatives as a way of keeping them in touch with activities and care within the home.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How are people currently supported to have visits and keep in touch with family and friends?
- 02How often are high-touch areas and visitor areas cleaned now?
- 03How are residents and staff currently tested for COVID-19 or other infections?
- 04What is the current process for isolating someone with an infection?
- 05Can relatives still view records of activities and care on the electronic care system?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control during the coronavirus pandemic; it did not provide ratings for the other care questions. This explanation was written from the published report of 15 April 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, August 2019
Rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and personalised care, with all five areas rated Good.
This was an unannounced inspection on 11 July 2019. The inspectors spoke with 11 people, 11 relatives, nine staff and visiting health professionals. They also observed care and checked care plans, risk assessments, medicines records, staff files and quality checks.
The home was rated Good overall and in all five areas: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. Inspectors found enough staff, safe medicines practice, suitable care plans and good links with health professionals.
People and relatives gave positive feedback. Inspectors saw warm relationships between staff and people, support for independence, a clean environment and a range of activities. The home also worked with the local hospice team to support people's end of life wishes.
The previous inspection, published in January 2017, also rated the home Good. This report says the rating remained Good in every area. CQC said it would continue monitoring information until the next planned inspection.
Safe staffing and medicines
Staffing was adjusted when people's needs changed. Inspectors found medicines were stored, administered and recorded safely.
“Call bells were answered promptly, this meant people were not having to wait for the support they required.” from the report
Kind, respectful care
Staff knew people's preferences and treated them with dignity. People were encouraged to make choices and remain as independent as possible.
“Staff were observed to knock on doors and wait for a reply before entering.” from the report
Personalised support
Care plans described how people wanted their needs met and were reviewed regularly. Staff used people's histories and preferences to support conversations and care.
“Care plans were detailed and gave staff guidance informing them how the person wanted their needs met.” from the report
Activities and relationships
People could take part in group or individual activities inside and outside the home. Visitors were welcome at any time.
“People were supported to access a range of activities as a group or on an individual basis; within the service or out in the local community.” from the report
Learning from incidents
After a serious choking incident, the home provided extra first aid training and bought equipment to help staff practise choking responses.
“Lessons were learnt, and improvements were made following a serious incident to prevent the risk of a reoccurrence.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How do you decide the number of nurses and care staff needed for my relative's current needs?
- 02How would you support my relative's specific dietary, nutrition and hydration needs?
- 03How are care plans reviewed with people and their relatives when needs or preferences change?
- 04What activities and one-to-one support would be available if my relative was cared for in bed?
- 05How would you involve my relative and our family in end of life care plans and wishes?
This was an unannounced inspection covering all five CQC questions, including the premises and care provided; the report says the previous rating was also Good. This explanation was written from the published report of 28 August 2019 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 Tunbridge Wells Care Centre
2 rated inspections over 3 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- April 2021Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- August 2019Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- January 2017GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- October 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- March 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- April 2011
Report published without a new overall rating.
- January 2011
Report published without a new overall rating.
- January 2011
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 25 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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39 live-in carers within about an hour of Kent
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. 33 can care for a couple. 12 years' experience on average.
“Always on time and with a lovely smile for my mum. Theresa is kind and sensitive to my mum's needs.”
“Irene was a very kind and empathetic carer who knew just the right words to say to put a smile on my face.”
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.