CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Valmar Care t/a Locharwoods of Birkdale
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors were assured about infection prevention and control, including PPE, testing, social distancing, cleaning, visiting and managing possible outbreaks.
- 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 in this targeted inspection.
What inspectors found, March 2021
Inspected but not rated; inspectors found good infection prevention and control arrangements during the COVID-19 pandemic.
This was an unannounced, targeted inspection on 17 February 2021. It looked only at infection prevention and control in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
Inspectors found that staff used and disposed of personal protective equipment safely. The home had regular testing, isolation arrangements, social distancing measures and frequent cleaning.
The home supported safe visits, including an outdoor 'cuddle wall' in warmer weather. It also asked families and friends for feedback about its COVID-19 arrangements.
The service was inspected but not rated. This means the visit did not provide an overall quality rating or full ratings for all five areas of care.
Safe use of PPE
Staff used the required PPE and disposed of it safely.
“Staff were wearing the required levels of personal protective equipment (PPE) and they disposed of used PPE safely and in line with the relevant guidance.” from the report
Regular testing
The home had a testing programme for people living there and staff.
“The home had a testing programme in place ensuring that people living at the home and staff were tested regularly.” from the report
Safe family visits
The home supported family and friends to visit safely, including through an outdoor cuddle wall.
“Staff supported family and friends to safely visit their loved ones, including the use of a 'cuddle wall' outdoors in warmer weather.” from the report
Clean premises
Inspectors found the premises clean and hygienic, with cleaning carried out often during the day.
“The premises were clean and hygienic. Frequent cleaning was carried out throughout the day.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How have your PPE arrangements changed since the inspection in February 2021?
- 02How do you currently arrange testing for residents and staff?
- 03How can families visit safely, and are there any restrictions on visits now?
- 04How do you manage isolation when a resident needs to isolate?
- 05How often are communal areas and other parts of the home cleaned?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control only; it did not rate the overall service or assess the other four key questions. This explanation was written from the published report of 11 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, September 2018
Valmar Care t/a Locharwoods of Birkdale was rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and personalised care, but morning activities did not always happen.
This was an unannounced comprehensive inspection on 11 and 12 September 2018. Inspectors reviewed care records, staff files, training records, rotas and quality checks. They looked around the home and spoke with residents, visitors, staff, the manager and provider.
The home remained Good in all five areas: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. Inspectors found enough staff, safe medicines management, suitable risk assessments and appropriate staff recruitment and training. The home was clean, well maintained and adapted to people's needs.
People were treated kindly and involved in decisions about their care. Care plans recorded personal preferences and were updated. Food, drinks, healthcare appointments and family contact were supported. Activities happened each afternoon, but morning activities often did not happen because staff were busy with personal care.
Safety planning
The home assessed risks linked to areas such as falls, mobility, nutrition and skin care. Staff were expected to follow guidance specific to each person.
“Risk assessments were in place specific to their individual needs and detailed how staff should support people to keep them safe.” from the report
Medicines
Medicines were administered by trained staff. Stock checks and audits were completed, and issues were dealt with promptly.
“Medicines were managed safely and people received their medicines as prescribed.” from the report
Kind and respectful care
People and relatives spoke positively about staff's patience and kindness. Staff supported privacy, choice, independence and family relationships.
“We saw that the staff showed kindness towards the people in the home.” from the report
Personalised support
Care plans included people's routines, preferences and wishes. People and relatives were involved in reviewing their support.
“Care plans were written for the individual and informed staff of their preferences and wishes.” from the report
Leadership and checks
The manager was described as approachable and supportive. Regular audits, feedback and meetings were used to monitor the service.
“A number of audits were completed by the registered manager and nominated senior care staff which included, medication, care records and health and safety.” from the report
Morning activities
minorAlthough afternoon activities took place, morning activities often did not happen because staff were busy supporting people with personal care. Ask how this is managed for someone who wants activities at that time.
“We found that whilst activities took place each afternoon, morning activities often did not happen.” from the report
- 01How will you make sure morning activities happen when staff are busy supporting people with personal care?
- 02How often will my relative's risk assessments and care plan be reviewed if their needs change?
- 03How will you check that my relative receives their medicines as prescribed?
- 04How will my relative and our family be involved in care plan meetings and reviews?
- 05What activities are available for someone who prefers to stay in their bedroom or has a particular faith?
This was an unannounced comprehensive inspection covering all five CQC questions; all five ratings remained Good. This explanation was written from the published report of 28 September 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 Valmar Care t/a Locharwoods of Birkdale
3 rated inspections over 4 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- March 2021Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
Read what inspectors found at Valmar Care t/a Locharwoods of Birkdale →
- September 2018Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
Read what inspectors found at Valmar Care t/a Locharwoods of Birkdale →
- July 2016Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- March 2015GoodSafe: Requires improvementEffective: Requires improvementCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- December 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- October 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- January 2011
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 12 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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38 live-in carers within about an hour of Sefton
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 £1,270 a week. 34 can care for a couple. 11 years' experience on average.
“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.”
“It was clear that she genuinely cared and her warm approach really helped put our minds at ease.”
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.