CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Westhill Park Care Home
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- People were protected from abuse and avoidable harm. Risks, accidents, incidents, safeguarding concerns, medicines and infection control were monitored, although some guidance for medicines given when needed was initially incomplete.
- Effective?
- Good
- People's physical, mental and social needs were assessed and met. Staff had relevant training, but people gave mixed views about the quality and variety of meals.
- Caring?
- Good
- People were treated with compassion, kindness, dignity and respect. Staff involved people and relatives in care decisions and encouraged independence.
- Responsive?
- Good
- Care plans were individualised and regularly reviewed. People were supported with communication, relationships and activities, although feedback about activities, especially at weekends, was mixed.
- Well-led?
- Good
- Management was visible and staff understood their roles. Audits, complaints and incident reviews were used to monitor and improve the service.
What inspectors found, January 2023
Rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and well-organised care, with some mixed feedback about food, activities and waiting times.
Inspectors visited the home without notice on 1 and 2 November 2022. They spoke with 8 people, 4 relatives and 10 staff. They observed care and checked care records, staff files, medicines, staffing records, complaints and quality checks.
All five areas were rated Good: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. Inspectors found that risks were reviewed, medicines were generally managed safely, staff were trained and people were treated with kindness, dignity and respect.
There were some areas to watch. Guidance for some medicines given only when needed was not detailed enough, although the manager took action during the inspection. Feedback about meals, weekend activities and waiting for staff was mixed, and the home said it was improving the menu.
Safe care and medicines
Inspectors found regular risk reviews, safe medicine administration and suitable infection control arrangements. Staff responded to people's requests during the visit.
“We found people were receiving their medicines on time and when they needed them.” from the report
Kind and respectful staff
People and relatives spoke positively about the staff. Inspectors observed warm interactions and respect for privacy, dignity and independence.
“Staff interaction with people was characterised by warmth.” from the report
Personalised support
Care plans recorded people's interests, preferences, health needs and communication needs. People and relatives were involved in planning and reviewing care.
“People received person centred care which meant they had choice, control and their needs and preferences were met.” from the report
Good management and checks
The management team used audits and reviews to monitor quality and learn from incidents. Staff said they could share their views and felt supported.
“The providers systems and processes for checking on and improving the quality and safety of the service were used effectively.” from the report
Guidance for some medicines
needs fixingInstructions for some medicines given only when needed did not initially explain the signs to look for or other steps to try first. The manager took action during the inspection.
“Guidance to support staff when making decisions for administering 'as and when required' (PRN) medicines lacked person centred information for when they may require the medicine.” from the report
Mixed views about meals
minorSome people felt the quality and variety of food had declined. The kitchen team had recently changed and a new menu was being introduced.
“People gave us mixed feedback about the meals they were offered at the home.” from the report
Activities at weekends
minorThe home offered daily activities, but feedback was mixed. One relative felt there could be more activities at weekends and more opportunities to go out.
“A relative said, "[The provider] does offer a variety of activities, but [the provider] could do more at weekends, if [staff] could take people out more.” from the report
- 01What changes have been made to the menu since inspectors recorded mixed feedback about food quality and variety?
- 02How are medicines given only when needed now supported by clear, person-centred instructions?
- 03How do you make sure people do not wait too long for help during busy times?
- 04What activities are available at weekends, and how often can residents go out?
- 05How will relatives be involved in reviewing care plans and changes in their relative's needs?
This was an unannounced inspection covering all five key questions and infection prevention and control; the previous rating was Good and was published on 20 March 2020 under a different provider. This explanation was written from the published report of 26 January 2023 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 Westhill Park Care Home
Each visit the CQC has published, newest first, back to the day the home was registered.
- January 2023Goodcurrent ratingSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- November 2022
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 3 November 2022.
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
89 live-in carers within about an hour of North Northamptonshire
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. 76 can care for a couple. 12 years' experience on average.
“If you bump into her in the night on her way to the bathroom she will still inquire how you are and if everything is alright.”
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.