CQC report explained · a nursing home
What the CQC found at Weald Heights
Rated Outstanding: inspectors found the home performing exceptionally well.
What inspectors found, May 2021
Weald Heights is rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind care and strong management, with no evidence that the concerns raised had put people at risk.
This was an unannounced focused inspection on 27 April 2021. Inspectors looked only at Safe and Well-led after concerns about management culture, care quality, incident reporting and staffing. They spoke with people, relatives and staff, and checked care, medicine, recruitment and management records.
Both inspected areas were rated Good. Inspectors found enough trained staff, safe recruitment, well-managed risks, safe medicines and effective infection control. They found that accidents and incidents were recorded, investigated and used for learning.
People, relatives and staff gave positive feedback. Inspectors found a person-centred atmosphere, good communication and strong quality checks. The overall rating stayed Good, but the ratings for Effective, Caring and Responsive were carried forward from the previous comprehensive inspection because they were not inspected this time.
Enough staff
Inspectors found enough staff to keep people safe and meet their needs. People said staff were available and did not rush them.
“Enough staff were available to ensure people were kept safe and to meet their needs.” from the report
Safe medicines
Medicines were managed safely and given as prescribed. Checks were completed and nurses' competence was assessed.
“People's medicines were managed safely, and people received these as prescribed.” from the report
Learning from incidents
Accidents and incidents were recorded, reviewed for patterns and used to help prevent them happening again.
“All accidents and incidents were fully recorded with appropriate action taken in response.” from the report
Positive culture
People and relatives were positive about the home. Inspectors saw a relaxed, person-centred atmosphere and found that staff knew people well.
“There was a person-centred, homely atmosphere in the service and both people and staff looked happy and relaxed.” from the report
Strong oversight
The home used audits, quality checks and provider visits to identify improvements and make sure actions were completed.
“There were strong and embedded governance systems in place to ensure safety and quality of care.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01What are the current staffing levels on each floor, including at night and when agency staff are used?
- 02How are medicines, including as-required medicines, checked and any errors followed up?
- 03What action has been taken in response to accidents, falls or other incidents since this inspection?
- 04How do people and relatives currently raise concerns, and how are complaints reviewed?
- 05What are the current ratings for Effective, Caring and Responsive, which were not inspected during this visit?
This was a focused inspection of Safe and Well-led only; the ratings for Effective, Caring and Responsive were carried forward from the previous comprehensive inspection. This explanation was written from the published report of 15 May 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
Weald Heights was rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and personalised care, with systems in place to monitor and improve the home.
Inspectors visited on 25 June 2018 without giving advance notice. They spoke with people living at the home, relatives and staff. They observed care and checked care plans, medicines records, staff files, audits and other records.
The home was rated Good in all five areas: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. Inspectors found enough staff, safe recruitment, safely managed medicines, suitable training and good support from health professionals.
People were treated with kindness, dignity and respect. Care was personalised and people and relatives were involved in care planning. People could take part in activities, raise concerns and make choices about their daily lives.
This was the first inspection since the home was registered in April 2017. A Good rating means the inspectors found the service met the relevant standards at the time of the visit.
People felt safe
People told inspectors they felt safe. Staff understood how to recognise and report possible abuse, and risks were assessed and reviewed.
“People were protected from the potential risk of harm and abuse, by staff who knew the potential signs of abuse and the action to take if they had any suspicions.” from the report
Skilled staff
Staff received training, induction, supervision and support so they could meet people's care and specialist needs.
“Staff were trained and supported to develop the skills and experience required to meet people's needs.” from the report
Kind and respectful care
Inspectors saw friendly, unhurried interactions. Staff protected people's privacy and dignity and used their personal histories and preferences to support conversations and care.
“Observation showed that staff were kind, caring and carried out their duties in a friendly, relaxed and unrushed way.” from the report
Personalised care
Care plans described people's abilities, preferences, health needs and the support they required. People and relatives were involved in developing and reviewing them.
“Care plans were person centred and contained information about how each person should be supported in all areas of their care and support.” from the report
Active quality monitoring
The management team used audits, feedback and an electronic reporting system to monitor safety and quality and follow up actions.
“Systems were in place to monitor the quality of the service that was provided to people.” from the report
Medicines signing errors
minorAudits had identified examples of medicines being given but not signed for. The report says action was taken, but families should ask how this is checked now.
“medicines which had been administered but not signed for” from the report
- 01How do you make sure every medicine given is recorded and signed for?
- 02How do you assess staffing numbers on each floor when people's needs change?
- 03How often are care plans reviewed, and how are relatives involved if a person's needs change?
- 04What activities are available for someone with my relative's interests, abilities and faith?
- 05How will you tell us about health changes, accidents, safeguarding concerns or complaints?
This was an unannounced first inspection covering the overall quality of the home and all five CQC areas, with care, nursing and the premises considered. This explanation was written from the published report of 13 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 Weald Heights
2 rated inspections over 3 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- May 2021Goodcurrent ratingstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- September 2018GoodSafe: GoodWell-led: Good
- April 2017
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 18 April 2017.
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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39 live-in carers within about an hour of Kent
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 £1,260 a week. 33 can care for a couple. 12 years' experience on average.
“Always on time and with a lovely smile for my mum. Theresa is kind and sensitive to my mum's needs.”
“Irene was a very kind and empathetic carer who knew just the right words to say to put a smile on my face.”
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.