CQC report explained · a nursing home
What the CQC found at Westergate House
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors were assured that infection risks were being managed, including through testing, protective equipment, social distancing, cleaning and outbreak arrangements.
- 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, April 2021
Inspected but not rated; inspectors found strong infection prevention and control arrangements.
This was an announced, targeted inspection on 24 March 2021. It checked how the home was preventing and controlling COVID-19 infection during the pandemic.
Inspectors found staff had up-to-date infection control training, used suitable protective equipment and received regular testing. Visitors were tested, given protective equipment and told about the infection control procedures.
The home used regular infection control audits and spot checks. Inspectors were assured that it was managing visitors, admissions, isolation, outbreaks, cleaning, testing and social distancing safely.
The service was inspected but not rated. This means the report does not give an overall quality rating or ratings for the other four areas.
Staff infection control training
Staff had up-to-date infection control training and were observed using appropriate protective equipment.
“All staff had received up to date infection prevention and control training, which included the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).” from the report
Regular checks
Managers carried out regular infection control audits and spot checks, and acted promptly when improvements were identified.
“There were regular (IPC) audits and spot checks of staff IPC practice by management.” from the report
Visitor safety
Visitors were tested on arrival, given protective equipment and supported to follow hand hygiene and other infection control measures.
“Lateral flow testing for all visitors took place at the service on the day of the visit.” from the report
Support during isolation
People who had to isolate received extra one-to-one social and activity support.
“Staff provided additional 1:1 social and activity support for people who were isolating.” from the report
Management support
Managers were regularly present and provided practical and emotional support to staff during the outbreak.
“Managers maintained a visible presence in the service on a day to day basis.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How are infection prevention and control audits carried out now, and how do you check that any actions have been completed?
- 02What testing and protective equipment arrangements are currently in place for visitors?
- 03How would you support my relative socially if they needed to isolate?
- 04How do you manage infection risks when someone is admitted to the home?
- 05What current information can you provide about infection outbreaks and how they would be managed?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control under the Safe question; it did not rate the other four questions or the service overall. This explanation was written from the published report of 9 April 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, November 2018
Westergate House was rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and personalised care, with only temporary smells noted in some areas.
Inspectors made an unannounced visit on 23 October 2018 after receiving information of concern about people's care. They found those concerns were unfounded. They observed care, spoke with people, relatives and staff, and checked care records, staff files, training records and quality checks.
All five areas were rated Good: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. People said they felt safe and well cared for. Inspectors found medicines were managed safely, staffing levels were suitable, staff were trained, and people's health, nutrition and communication needs were supported.
Inspectors saw kind and respectful relationships. People had choices about their daily routines, food, activities and care. Care plans recorded people's preferences, and there were systems for complaints, feedback and improving the service.
The home had previously been rated Good overall at the inspection on 25 July 2017. The 2018 report did not identify any breaches of regulations or enforcement action.
Safe medicines
Inspectors found that medicines were stored securely, given appropriately and checked through regular audits.
“Medicines were managed safely and in accordance with current regulations and guidance.” from the report
Kind and respectful care
Staff knew people well and supported their dignity, choices and independence.
“People were supported by kind and caring staff.” from the report
Personalised support
Care plans included people's likes, dislikes, routines, communication needs and religious or cultural requirements.
“Care plans accurately recorded people's likes, dislikes and preferences.” from the report
Activities and relationships
People could take part in varied activities, including one-to-one time, quizzes, exercise and reminiscence sessions. They were also supported to keep in touch with family and friends.
“People were supported to take part in meaningful activities.” from the report
Open management
Staff said managers were approachable, and people, relatives and staff were invited to give feedback through meetings and surveys.
“The provider promoted an inclusive and open culture and recognised the importance of effective communication.” from the report
Temporary smells
minorInspectors noticed unpleasant smells in some areas at certain times. They said the smells were temporary and staff were cleaning and refreshing the home.
“At certain points of the day, we were aware of malodorous smells in some areas of the service” from the report
- 01How do you currently make sure there are enough staff on each shift, including when someone is absent?
- 02How will you support my relative's specific health, dementia, communication or end of life needs?
- 03How are medicines checked and reviewed, and how will you tell me about any changes or concerns?
- 04What activities are available for people who prefer to stay in their rooms?
- 05How are family views and complaints recorded, followed up and used to improve care?
This was an unannounced inspection of the overall service after information of concern was received; inspectors assessed all five CQC questions, and the previous overall rating from July 2017 was Good. This explanation was written from the published report of 30 November 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 Westergate House
3 rated inspections over 3 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- April 2021Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- November 2018Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- September 2017Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- July 2015GoodSafe: GoodEffective: Requires improvementCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- March 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- September 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- July 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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28 live-in carers within about an hour of West Sussex
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 £1,170 a week. 23 can care for a couple. 11 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.