CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Westwood
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors were assured that infection risks were managed through testing, personal protective equipment, cleaning, visitor checks and an up-to-date policy. The provider also had measures to manage COVID-19-related staffing pressures.
- Effective?
- Good
- This area was not assessed or rated in this targeted inspection.
- Caring?
- Good
- This area was not assessed or rated in this targeted inspection, although people said they were well cared for and kept safe during the pandemic.
- Responsive?
- Good
- This area was not assessed or rated in this targeted inspection.
- Well-led?
- Good
- This area was not assessed or rated in this targeted inspection. Inspectors did see a clear audit trail for infection control improvements.
What inspectors found, March 2022
Westwood was inspected but not rated; inspectors were assured that infection control and visiting arrangements were being managed safely.
This was an unannounced, targeted inspection on 9 February 2022. It looked mainly at infection prevention and control during the COVID-19 pandemic, visiting arrangements and staffing pressures.
Inspectors were assured that the home used personal protective equipment safely, arranged testing, managed admissions and visitors, and had an up-to-date infection control policy. Staff had relevant training and people who tested positive were supported to isolate.
Cleaning took place throughout the day and audits recorded actions taken when improvements were needed. The home had recognised a shortage of cleaning hours and had recruited a housekeeper to increase them.
The service was inspected but not rated. This means the inspection did not give a new overall quality rating or a full rating for all five areas of care.
Infection control training
Staff had training in infection prevention, hand washing, personal protective equipment, food hygiene and COVID-19.
“Staff had been trained in infection prevention and control, food hygiene and COVID-19.” from the report
Testing and isolation
Regular testing was in place, and people who tested positive were supported to isolate in their rooms in line with guidance.
“When people had tested positive to COVID-19, staff supported people to follow the most recent government guidance to isolate in their own rooms.” from the report
Cleaning oversight
Cleaning happened throughout the day, including continued cleaning of frequently touched surfaces after domestic staff finished their shifts.
“Cleaning took place throughout the day, when the domestic staff finished their shift, care staff continued to ensure that touch points were regularly sanitised.” from the report
Audits and follow-up
The home had infection control audits and recorded how identified improvements were followed up.
“Where there were areas for improvement identified, there was a clear audit trail and information on how this had been followed up.” from the report
Shortage of cleaning hours
minorThe manager identified that the allocated cleaning hours were too low. A housekeeper had recently been recruited to increase cleaning hours, so the family should check whether this has resolved the shortfall.
“The manager recognised there was a shortage of allocated cleaning hours; they recently recruited a housekeeper to double the current staff hours for cleaning.” from the report
- 01Has the newly recruited housekeeper doubled the cleaning hours as planned, and are there still any gaps in cleaning?
- 02How are current staffing pressures managed when staff are absent because of COVID-19?
- 03How often are staff and residents tested, and what happens when someone receives a positive result?
- 04How are visitors checked for testing, temperature and vaccination status before entering?
- 05Can you show how infection control audit actions have been completed and checked?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control, visiting arrangements and COVID-19-related staffing pressures; it did not rate the other areas of care. This explanation was written from the published report of 5 March 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, October 2019
Rated Good; inspectors found kind, safe care, with some improvements still needed around risk checks, staff supervision and the broken lift.
This was an unannounced planned inspection on 23 August 2019. One inspector spoke with four people living at the home, six staff and the registered manager. They reviewed care plans, medicines records, staff files and management records.
The home was rated Good in all five areas: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. People said staff were kind and respectful. Inspectors found that people's care needs, medicines, nutrition, activities and links with health professionals were managed well.
Safe had improved from Requires Improvement at the previous inspection to Good. Inspectors found two issues during this visit: one medicine cream had not had a fire risk assessment, and staff supervision was not happening often enough. A lift had also been broken for several weeks, although a replacement had been ordered.
Kind and respectful care
People said staff treated them with kindness and respect. Inspectors also saw staff being patient, reassuring and supportive.
“People that we spoke to said that Westwood was a good place to live and that staff treated them with respect and kindness.” from the report
Safe medicines management
Medicines were stored, given and disposed of safely. Records were up to date, including instructions for medicines taken when needed.
“Medicine was administered safely and there were clear protocols in place for medicine which was taken when required.” from the report
Good choice and activities
People had choices about meals and activities. Staff supported trips, exercise and community involvement based on people's interests and abilities.
“There were a variety of activities, both to keep people occupied and to entertain them.” from the report
Strong management checks
The manager used feedback, complaints, incidents and regular checks to identify learning and make changes.
“The registered manager showed evidence of ongoing quality monitoring across all aspects of the service.” from the report
Fire risk assessment
seriousOne person's paraffin-based cream had not been assessed for its flammable risk. The inspector raised this with the manager, who said an assessment would be put in place.
“One person was using paraffin-based cream, and this had not been risk assessed about it being flammable.” from the report
Staff supervision
needs fixingStaff said they felt supported, but supervision meetings were not happening frequently enough. Ask how this is now being monitored.
“Staff told us that they felt supported, but staff supervisions were not carried out frequently.” from the report
Broken lift
needs fixingThe lift had been broken for several weeks and was beyond repair. A new lift had been ordered, but the report does not confirm when it would be installed.
“I like my room and I have my own things, the only problem is the lift has been broken for ages.” from the report
- 01Has the fire risk assessment for paraffin-based cream been completed, and how are similar risks checked for other people?
- 02How often do staff now receive supervision, and how does the home check that this is happening?
- 03Has the replacement lift been installed, and what arrangements are in place for anyone who cannot use the stairs?
- 04How are people's different needs and interests used to plan activities and community trips?
- 05How are complaints, incidents and family feedback recorded and followed through?
This was an unannounced planned inspection covering all five CQC questions, the premises and the care provided; the Safe rating improved from Requires Improvement and the other ratings remained Good. This explanation was written from the published report of 5 October 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 Westwood
2 rated inspections over 3 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- March 2022Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- October 2019Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- January 2017GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- September 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- January 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- October 2011
Report published without a new overall rating.
- January 2011
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 7 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.
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78 live-in carers within about an hour of Derby
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 £1,260 a week. 62 can care for a couple. 12 years' experience on average.
“We particularly appreciate the companionship Dawn gives in the evenings when she plays cards and Scrabble with my mother.”
“Rachel is a quietly spoken, extremely caring person and looked after Val very well.”
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.