CQC report explained · a nursing home
What the CQC found at Walcot Hall Nursing Home
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- People's risks were assessed and reviewed, staffing met changing needs, medicines were managed safely and infection prevention arrangements were in place.
- Effective?
- Good
- Staff had relevant training and supervision. People's dietary needs, healthcare access, consent and best interest decisions were recorded and supported.
- Caring?
- Good
- People and relatives described staff as kind and respectful. Inspectors observed staff giving people time, offering choices and promoting dignity and independence.
- Responsive?
- Good
- Care plans recorded people's needs, preferences and histories. Activities, communication support, family involvement, complaints handling and end of life wishes were addressed.
- Well-led?
- Good
- The home was described as well-run, with visible and approachable management, regular audits, staff meetings and evidence that lessons were learned from incidents.
What inspectors found, December 2021
Rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and personalised care across all five areas they assessed.
This was an unannounced planned inspection because the provider had changed. Inspectors visited on 9 December 2021, with inspection activity continuing until 17 December 2021. They spoke with people, relatives, staff and visiting professionals, observed care, and checked care, medicines, recruitment and management records.
The home was rated Good overall and Good in Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. Inspectors found that risks were managed, staffing met people's needs, medicines were given safely and infection control arrangements were in place.
People were supported with food, healthcare, activities and relationships. Inspectors found caring staff, personalised care plans and a management team that checked the quality and safety of the service. The previous rating was also Good, published on 5 February 2020 under the previous provider.
Safe staffing and risk management
Inspectors found that staffing levels reflected people's changing needs and that individual risks and emergency evacuation plans were reviewed regularly.
“The registered manager regularly reviewed staffing levels. Staffing was reflective of people's changing needs.” from the report
Kind and respectful care
People said staff were kind and respectful. Inspectors observed positive interactions and staff supporting people's dignity, choices and independence.
“We observed staff interacting with people in a caring way.” from the report
Personalised support
Care plans included people's preferences, communication needs, cultural and religious needs, and information about their histories and interests.
“People's needs were identified, and their choices and preferences were recorded and well known by staff.” from the report
Open management
The registered manager was visible and approachable. Audits, incident reviews and staff meetings were used to monitor and improve the service.
“The service was well-run. Staff at all levels understood their roles and responsibilities” from the report
Community links paused
minorLinks with the local community were on hold because of the pandemic. The report does not say this affected the overall rating.
“Links with the local community were on hold due to the pandemic.” from the report
Dementia accessibility improvements ongoing
minorThe manager said improvements were being implemented to make the home more accessible for people living with dementia. Families may want to ask what has been completed.
“The registered manager told us improvements were being implemented to make the service more accessible for those living with dementia.” from the report
- 01What improvements have been completed to make the home more accessible for people living with dementia?
- 02How will my relative's individual risks, including falls, choking or moving and handling risks, be reviewed?
- 03How will you support my relative's dietary needs and monitor their food and fluid intake if their appetite is poor?
- 04What activities and family or community contact are currently available while community links remain affected by the pandemic?
- 05How will you record and follow my relative's wishes if they need end of life care in the home?
This was an unannounced comprehensive inspection following a change in provider and covered all five key questions; it was the first inspection for this newly registered service. This explanation was written from the published report of 30 December 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.
Every inspection of Walcot Hall Nursing Home
3 rated inspections over 5 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- December 2021Goodcurrent ratingstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- February 2020Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- February 2017GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: OutstandingWell-led: Good
- March 2020
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 10 March 2020.
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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13 live-in carers within about an hour of Norfolk
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 £990 to £1,120 a week. 9 can care for a couple. 14 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.