CQC report explained · a nursing home
What the CQC found at Wavertree House
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- People were protected from abuse and avoidable harm through risk assessments, safeguarding systems and safety checks. Staff recruitment and medicines management were also found to be safe.
- Effective?
- Good
- People's needs and choices were assessed and recorded. Staff were trained, dietary needs were supported, healthcare professionals worked with the home, and consent arrangements followed the Mental Capacity Act.
- Caring?
- Good
- People and relatives described staff as kind, caring and respectful. Inspectors saw people being offered choices, having their privacy protected and being supported to remain independent.
- Responsive?
- Good
- Care plans were personalised and reviewed regularly. The home supported communication needs, activities, family contact and complaints, and recorded people's wishes about end of life care.
- Well-led?
- Good
- The home had clear leadership and regular quality checks. Managers acted on concerns, encouraged feedback and worked with healthcare professionals to improve care.
What inspectors found, June 2022
Rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and personalised care across all five areas.
This was the first comprehensive inspection under the new ownership. It was unannounced and took place on 26 April 2022. Inspectors spoke with six people, nine staff, three relatives and two professionals. They also reviewed care, medicines, recruitment and management records.
The inspectors found people were safe, with suitable risk assessments, enough staff and safe medicines systems. The home had infection control measures in place, including arrangements for visits and outbreaks. Staff were suitably checked and trained.
Care plans were personalised and staff knew people well. People were supported with food, activities, healthcare, communication and decision-making. Inspectors found staff to be kind and respectful, and saw that people's feedback was used to make improvements.
The overall rating was Good, with Good ratings for Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. The previous inspection on 3 February 2022 was not rated. The last published rating, under the previous provider, was Good in November 2018.
Safe staffing and medicines
Inspectors found enough staff to meet people's needs and saw medicines being managed correctly. Recruitment checks and medicines audits were in place.
“Medicines administration records (MAR) were electronic, accurate and up to date.” from the report
Personalised care
Care plans recorded people's routines, preferences and support needs. Staff knew people well and updated information was available to the staff team.
“Support plans contained person-centred information. For example, people's likes, dislikes, routines and choices.” from the report
Kind and respectful staff
People and relatives gave positive feedback about staff. Inspectors saw staff protect privacy, offer choices and support people's independence.
“People and their relatives spoke positively about staff. They felt staff knew them well, and that they were kind, compassionate and caring.” from the report
Responsive leadership
The home encouraged views from people, relatives and staff. Managers acted on suggestions and used audits and meetings to improve the service.
“Feedback was encouraged from people, relatives and staff to drive improvement.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01What progress has been made with the extensive refurbishment work mentioned in the report?
- 02How will you assess and update my relative's risks and care plan after they move in?
- 03How will you support my relative's communication needs if they have sight loss or another sensory need?
- 04What activities are available that match my relative's interests, and how do you respond if they do not want to join in?
- 05How will my relative and our family be involved in care reviews and decisions about their care?
This was the first comprehensive inspection under the new ownership and included infection prevention and control; all five key question ratings were assessed. This explanation was written from the published report of 16 June 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, February 2022
Inspected but not rated; inspectors found strong infection control arrangements during a COVID-19 outbreak.
The CQC visited on 03 February 2022. This was an announced, targeted inspection during a COVID-19 outbreak. Inspectors looked mainly at infection prevention and control and asked about staffing pressures.
The home had arrangements for visitor testing, questionnaires and protective equipment. Essential care givers were supported to visit despite restrictions. Staff and visitors were tested, and testing records were kept.
Inspectors found the home clean and hygienic. Staff used personal protective equipment correctly, had infection control training and were checked on hand washing and protective equipment use.
The service was inspected but not rated. This visit did not provide ratings for the overall service or the five areas of care.
Visitor safety
Visitors were tested on arrival, completed a questionnaire and wore protective equipment. Essential care givers could still visit during restrictions.
“Measures were taken to minimise risk of infection spread. All visitors were supported to take a lateral flow test upon arrival” from the report
Testing records
The home had a testing system for staff, visitors and professionals. The manager kept records of tests and results and monitored test kit supplies.
“There was a robust testing regime in place for all who accessed Wavertree House.” from the report
Clean environment
Inspectors found the home clean and hygienic. A dedicated housekeeping team used checklists and regularly cleaned frequently touched areas.
“The home was clean and hygienic. We saw high-touch points, for example, handrails and light switches being cleaning regularly during our visit.” from the report
Staff infection control
Staff were seen using the correct protective equipment. They had infection control training, and spot checks were used to monitor hand washing and protective equipment practice.
“Staff were observed to be wearing correct levels of PPE. They told us that they had plentiful supply available to them and felt safe working in the home.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How are you currently managing staffing pressures linked to COVID-19 or other absences?
- 02What testing and infection control checks are currently required for visitors, staff and professionals?
- 03How do you support essential care givers and other visitors when there is an outbreak?
- 04How often do you check staff practice in hand washing and use of protective equipment?
- 05How do you make sure cleaning tasks, including high-touch areas, are completed consistently?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control and staffing pressures; the service was inspected but not rated and the other areas were not assessed. This explanation was written from the published report of 16 February 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 Wavertree House
2 rated inspections over 4 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- June 2022Goodcurrent ratingSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- February 2022Inspected but not ratedSafe: Inspected but not rated
- November 2018GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- October 2020
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 20 October 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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46 live-in carers within about an hour of Brighton and Hove
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 £1,020 to £1,280 a week. 37 can care for a couple. 10 years' experience on average.
“Lottie showed incredible patience and empathy, adapting her routine to fit in with Mum's moods. Most importantly, Lottie's cheerful manner helped Mum to get some enjoyment out of life.”
“He was infinitely patient with them and got on very well with us to the extent that we now regard him as a personal friend.”
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.