CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Wellfield
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors were assured that infection risks were being managed through PPE, cleaning, testing, hygiene measures and arrangements for visitors. The provider also described measures to manage COVID-19-related staffing pressures.
- Effective?
- Good
- Does the care work? Training, consent, food and drink, working with GPs and nurses.
- Caring?
- Good
- Are people treated with kindness and dignity?
- Responsive?
- Good
- Is care built around the person? Care plans, activities, complaints.
- Well-led?
- Good
- Is the home run well? The manager, the culture, how problems get found and fixed.
What inspectors found, January 2022
Wellfield: inspected but not rated; inspectors found good infection control, visiting arrangements and staffing measures.
This was a targeted inspection on 18 January 2022. It focused on infection prevention and control, visiting arrangements and whether COVID-19 staffing pressures were affecting care. The inspection was announced with 24 hours’ notice.
Inspectors spoke with two staff, one resident and a visiting health professional. They were assured that the home was using PPE safely, arranging testing, managing cleaning and reducing the risk of infections spreading.
Visitors were screened for vaccination status and COVID-19 symptoms. They needed a negative lateral flow test and suitable PPE. When visits were restricted, people were supported to keep in touch with family and friends by video and telephone calls.
The service was inspected but not rated. This means the report does not give a Good, Requires improvement or other rating for the overall service or the Safe question.
Infection control
There was plenty of PPE and hand sanitising gel. Staff had infection control training, and cleaning was managed by a dedicated housekeeping team.
“Staff wore appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) to ensure people were protected as much as possible from the risk of cross infection.” from the report
Visiting arrangements
Visitors were screened, tested and asked to wear PPE. The provider also helped people keep in contact with family and friends when visits were restricted.
“The provider was facilitating visits in line with the Government guidance and understood how important this was to people living at the home and their families.” from the report
Testing and isolation
People living at the home and staff were tested regularly. Staff who caught the virus were supported to self-isolate.
“Staff and people living at the home were being tested regularly, and appropriate action had been taken if anyone contracted the virus” from the report
Staffing cover
The provider had measures to manage COVID-19-related staffing pressures, and shift cover was being managed effectively.
“Staffing was being effectively managed where shift cover was required.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01What is the home’s latest full inspection rating, as this targeted inspection was not rated?
- 02How are visits arranged now, and what happens if there is an infection outbreak or other restriction?
- 03How often are residents and staff tested now, and what happens when someone tests positive?
- 04How do you maintain staffing levels when staff are absent because of COVID-19?
- 05How are cleaning, PPE supplies and infection control checks monitored now?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control, visiting arrangements and COVID-19 staffing pressures; it did not provide ratings for the wider service. This explanation was written from the published report of 27 January 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 2019
Wellfield is rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and personalised care, with a few recording and housekeeping issues.
This was a planned inspection after the previous Requires Improvement rating. It took place on 19 and 20 November 2019. Two inspectors and an Expert by Experience visited. They spoke with people, relatives, staff and health professionals, observed care, checked the premises and reviewed care, medicine, recruitment and management records.
The home was rated Good in all five areas: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. People said they felt safe and well cared for. Inspectors found safe recruitment, medicines given as prescribed, suitable care plans, good support with food and healthcare, respectful staff and meaningful activities.
There were some minor shortfalls. A few staff records were incomplete, staff were sometimes slow to clear dining areas, and complaint outcomes were not always confirmed in writing. These issues were raised with the manager. The previous Regulation 17 breach had been resolved, and there was no current breach.
People felt safe and cared for
People told inspectors they felt safe and well cared for. Observations supported their views, and staff understood safeguarding procedures.
“People told us they were well cared for and felt safe in the home.” from the report
Personalised care
Care plans included people's health, communication, background, religious needs and interests. Staff knew people's preferences and supported choice and independence.
“Care plans contained information on people's health and communication needs as well as their family background, religious needs and social interests.” from the report
Good healthcare support
Staff worked closely with GPs, district nurses and other professionals. Records showed healthcare visits, reasons and outcomes were documented.
“Staff worked effectively with healthcare professionals to ensure people's healthcare needs were met.” from the report
Kind and respectful care
People and relatives spoke positively about staff attitudes. Inspectors saw respectful and positive interactions, including support for privacy and dignity.
“People were well supported and cared for.” from the report
Incomplete staff-check records
needs fixingSome records were missing about checks for a staff member who had been out of work for a significant period. The manager completed the files during the inspection, and there was no evidence of harm.
“However, there were some missing records around checks when a member of staff had been out of work for a significant period.” from the report
Cleaning up was sometimes slow
minorThe home was clean overall, but inspectors sometimes saw dining areas and equipment left uncleared. The manager said staff would be reminded to clean up promptly.
“We noted the home was clean but on occasions saw staff did not clean up quickly and this could give the impression of untidiness.” from the report
Complaint outcomes not always confirmed in writing
needs fixingThe one formal complaint had been investigated and handled appropriately. However, the manager did not always write to the complainant confirming the complaint and its outcome.
“The registered manager did not always write to the complainant with confirmation of the nature of the complaint and outcome.” from the report
- 01How do you now check that all staff recruitment and return-to-work records are complete before staff provide care?
- 02What checks make sure dining areas and shared equipment are cleared promptly after use?
- 03How will you confirm complaint investigations and outcomes in writing?
- 04What activities would be suitable for my relative's interests, abilities and communication needs?
- 05How would you involve my relative and our family in healthcare and end of life decisions?
This was a planned inspection covering the premises, care provided and all five CQC questions; it followed the previous Requires Improvement rating published in December 2018. This explanation was written from the published report of 12 December 2019 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 Wellfield
4 rated inspections over 4 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- January 2022Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- December 2019Goodup from Requires improvementSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- December 2018Requires improvementdown from GoodSafe: Requires improvementEffective: Requires improvementCaring: GoodResponsive: Requires improvementWell-led: Requires improvement
- September 2017Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: Requires improvementWell-led: Good
- June 2015GoodSafe: Requires improvementEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- July 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- February 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- May 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- March 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- January 2011
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 28 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.
Weigh the report against the rest
Fees, photos and reviews from families
How to read CQC ratings and reports
What to check when you visit
85 live-in carers within about an hour of Lancashire
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. 78 can care for a couple. 11 years' experience on average.
“She understands the needs of an elderly person in the early stages of dementia and has treated my mother with great kindness and skill.”
“Thanks to Tracy, Dad was always immaculately dressed and clean, his meals were all home cooked and nutritionally well balanced and his home was always kept really clean and tidy.”
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.