CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Washington Grange
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors were assured that infection prevention measures were in place, including safe use of protective equipment, testing, cleaning, visiting arrangements and managing outbreaks. The provider also described measures to reduce the effect of COVID-19-related staffing pressures.
- Effective?
- Good
- This area was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
- Caring?
- Good
- This area was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
- Responsive?
- Good
- This area was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
- Well-led?
- Good
- This area was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
What inspectors found, March 2022
Inspected but not rated; inspectors found good infection control during a COVID-19 outbreak.
This was an announced, targeted inspection on 28 January 2022. Inspectors gave the home 24 hours’ notice. They looked mainly at infection prevention and control, and asked about staffing pressures linked to COVID-19.
Inspectors found that staff used personal protective equipment correctly. The home was clean and tidy, with more frequent cleaning of frequently touched areas. Visitors were screened and asked to wear suitable protective equipment.
The home was following guidance on visiting, testing, admissions, shielding and social distancing. Inspectors were assured that the home had enough protective equipment, that staff were trained to use it, and that its infection control policy was up to date.
The service was inspected but not rated. This means the visit did not provide a new overall rating or ratings for the five areas of care.
Protective equipment
Staff used protective equipment correctly, and the home had good supplies. Staff had also been trained to use it safely.
“Staff used PPE correctly which helped reduce the spread of infections, in order to keep people safe.” from the report
Cleaning and hygiene
The home was clean and tidy. Extra cleaning had been introduced during the COVID-19 outbreak, including more frequent cleaning of touchpoints.
“The home was clean and tidy throughout. Enhanced cleaning had been introduced to help contain the current COVID-19 outbreak” from the report
Safe visiting arrangements
Visitors were screened before entry and asked to use suitable protective equipment. They also had to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test at the time of the inspection.
“Visitors were asked to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test before accessing the service.” from the report
Contact with relatives
The home supported people to keep in contact with relatives and provided extra activities to help people stay engaged.
“People were supported to maintain contact with relatives and additional activities provided to help keep people engaged.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01What measures are currently in place to manage staffing pressures linked to COVID-19?
- 02What are the current visiting arrangements, and do visitors need to provide a negative COVID-19 test?
- 03How are staff trained and checked to make sure they use protective equipment safely?
- 04How often are frequently touched areas cleaned during an infection outbreak?
- 05How will my relative keep in contact with family and take part in activities?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control, with questions about COVID-19-related staffing pressures; it did not provide ratings for the other care areas. This explanation was written from the published report of 3 March 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.
What inspectors found, December 2020
Inspected but not rated; inspectors found strong infection control and support for people's wellbeing.
This was an announced, targeted inspection on 20 November 2020. Inspectors checked the home's infection prevention and control arrangements during the coronavirus outbreak.
They found suitable measures for visitors, including personal protective equipment and hand hygiene. The home had enough protective equipment, clear instructions and trained staff. It was clean, with extra cleaning of frequently touched surfaces.
Staff supported people's social and emotional wellbeing while national visiting restrictions were in place. Inspectors were assured that infection risks were being managed, but the home was inspected and not rated.
Visitor infection controls
Visitors were required to use protective equipment and follow hand hygiene procedures.
“All visitors were required to wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) and follow good hand hygiene practices.” from the report
Protective equipment and training
The home had enough protective equipment, clear instructions and staff training on infection prevention and control.
“There were sufficient stocks of PPE. There was clear signage on the correct use of PPE and handwashing techniques, and staff had received appropriate training in infection prevention and control.” from the report
Clean environment
Inspectors found the home very clean, with extra cleaning of surfaces people touched often.
“The environment was very clean and additional cleaning was taking place of frequently touched surfaces.” from the report
Support during visiting restrictions
Staff helped people keep in contact with their families by video or telephone when national visiting restrictions were in place.
“National visiting restrictions were in place at the time of the inspection, so people were supported to keep in touch with their family members via video or telephone calls.” from the report
Staff wellbeing and guidance
The provider supported staff wellbeing and made sure current guidance was shared with them.
“The provider and registered manager ensured staff were fully supported to maintain their wellbeing.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How are visitors currently asked to use protective equipment and hand hygiene?
- 02How do you keep families in contact with residents when visits are restricted?
- 03How do you check that staff follow the home's infection prevention and control procedures?
- 04How are people tested and admitted safely when infection risks are present?
- 05What were the home's arrangements for managing or preventing infection outbreaks at the time of the inspection?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control under the Safe question; the other four key questions were not assessed and the service was not rated. This explanation was written from the published report of 2 December 2020 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 Washington Grange
2 rated inspections over 3 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- March 2022Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- December 2020Inspected but not ratedSafe: Inspected but not rated
- February 2019Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- July 2016GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- August 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- September 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- July 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- January 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- October 2011
Report published without a new overall rating.
- February 2011
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 15 February 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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46 live-in carers within about an hour of Sunderland
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 £950 to £1,210 a week. 42 can care for a couple. 10 years' experience on average.
“Petty introduced herself to Mum every time she was caring for her and responded very quickly to Mum if she was distressed in 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.