CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Upton Grange
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- People were supported by enough safely recruited staff. Medicines, safeguarding, accidents and building safety were managed appropriately. However, COVID-19 risk assessments were not recorded and staff testing was not consistently completed twice a week.
- Effective?
- Good
- People's needs, consent, nutrition and health were assessed and supported. Staff had training and received regular support.
- Caring?
- Good
- People and relatives described staff as caring and respectful. Staff supported privacy, dignity, independence and involvement in decisions.
- Responsive?
- Good
- Care plans were personalised and people were supported with communication, activities, relationships, complaints and end of life wishes. One record contained inconsistent information about swallowing risk, but this was corrected straight away.
- Well-led?
- Good
- Inspectors found clear management, feedback systems and regular audits. Action plans were created and followed when improvements were identified.
What inspectors found, October 2022
Upton Grange was rated Good; inspectors found kind, organised care, with some COVID-19 records and testing needing attention.
This was an unannounced planned inspection on 20 July 2022. Inspectors spoke with people living in the home, relatives and staff. They reviewed care records, medicines records, recruitment files and management records.
The home was rated Good in all five areas: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. People said they felt safe, staff were caring, meals were enjoyed and there were activities and visits to support people's relationships and interests.
Inspectors found some issues that needed attention. COVID-19 risks had not been assessed in people's records, staff testing was not consistently completed twice a week, and one swallowing-risk record was inconsistent. The registered manager said the COVID-19 records and testing issue would be addressed, and the swallowing record was corrected straight away.
Good means the inspectors found the service was meeting the relevant requirements and providing a good standard of care. This was the first inspection of the newly registered service. The previous provider had also been rated Good in January 2020.
People felt safe
People and relatives told inspectors that the home was safe. Safeguarding procedures were in place and staff understood how to report concerns.
“People living in the home told us they were safe there.” from the report
Safe medicines support
Medicines were stored securely, stock checks were accurate and staff administering medicines had been trained and assessed as competent.
“Medicines were administered by staff who had undertaken training and had their competency assessed.” from the report
Kind and respectful care
People and relatives described staff as caring. Inspectors also saw warm and caring interactions, with support for privacy and independence.
“People and their relatives told us staff were caring and treated people with respect.” from the report
Activities and relationships
People could choose from a range of activities and events. The home supported visits and relationships with family, schools and nurseries.
“There was a variety of activities and events that people could participate in if they wanted to.” from the report
Regular quality checks
The home used audits across its services and followed up with action plans when it found areas for improvement.
“A range of audits were completed regularly, that covered all areas of the service.” from the report
COVID-19 risk records
needs fixingThere was no recorded assessment of people's COVID-19 risks because earlier assessments had been archived. The registered manager agreed to review this straight away.
“However, there was no record to show that people's risk regarding COVID-19 had been assessed.” from the report
Staff testing
needs fixingThe systems did not make sure every staff member completed COVID-19 tests twice a week, in line with the guidance referred to in the report. The registered manager said this would be addressed straight away.
“However, the current systems in place regarding staff testing did not ensure tests were consistently completed twice per week by all staff in line with guidance.” from the report
Swallowing-risk information
minorOne person's care file contained conflicting information about swallowing risk. Staff knew how to support the person safely and the record was corrected straight away.
“One person's file contained inconsistent information regarding their swallowing risk.” from the report
- 01How do you now record and review each person's COVID-19 risks?
- 02How do you make sure all staff complete the required COVID-19 testing at the stated frequency?
- 03How are swallowing risks checked so that care plans contain consistent and up-to-date information?
- 04How will you tell families about any changes made after the issues found in this inspection?
- 05How are activities and visits matched to my relative's interests and relationships?
This was the first inspection of a newly registered service and covered all five key questions, including infection prevention and control under Safe. This explanation was written from the published report of 1 October 2022 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 Upton Grange
2 rated inspections over 4 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- October 2022Goodcurrent ratingSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- November 2020Inspected but not ratedSafe: Inspected but not rated
- June 2018GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- May 2021
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 6 May 2021.
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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40 live-in carers within about an hour of Wirral
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 £1,230 a week. 37 can care for a couple. 8 years' experience on average.
“It was clear that she genuinely cared and her warm approach really helped put our minds at ease.”
“He developed a close affinity with Terence, spending time talking with him before he retired to bed and looking after his needs during 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.