CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Wheal Gerry
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- People were protected from abuse and supported through clear risk assessments. Medicines, money, staffing, fire safety and the environment were checked and found to be managed safely.
- Effective?
- Good
- Staff were trained and understood people's needs. People had access to health care, suitable food and support that followed the Mental Capacity Act and least restrictive principles.
- Caring?
- Good
- Inspectors saw kind and respectful relationships. Staff supported privacy, dignity, independence, communication and contact with family and friends.
- Responsive?
- Good
- Care plans were personalised, detailed and regularly reviewed. People were supported to follow their preferred routines, take part in activities and maintain relationships.
- Well-led?
- Good
- There was a clear management structure, regular audits and an open culture. Staff said they were supported, although there had been manager changes during the previous year.
What inspectors found, January 2018
Wheal Gerry was rated Good; inspectors found kind, personalised care, with some windows needing an update.
This was an announced inspection on 17 December 2017. One inspector spoke with one person, the manager and two care staff. The inspector looked around the homes, observed care, checked care records, staff files, rotas, training records and other documents, and later spoke with two relatives.
The home was calm and friendly. Staff knew people well and provided caring, individual support. Records were up to date, medicines were managed safely, staffing levels were suitable, and people were supported with health care, food, activities, family contact and daily choices.
All five areas were rated Good: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. This was the same overall rating as the previous inspection in November 2015. A new manager had been appointed in September 2017 and had applied to become the registered manager.
Personalised records
Care records were current and gave staff clear information about people's needs, preferences and communication.
“Care records were up to date, regularly reviewed and accurately reflected people's care and support needs.” from the report
Suitable staffing
Inspectors found enough trained staff on duty. The manager said staffing would be reviewed and increased when another person moved in.
“There were enough skilled and experienced staff on duty to ensure the safety of people who lived at Wheal Gerry.” from the report
Choice and independence
People were involved in decisions about their care, food, home and daily activities. Staff supported them to take sensible risks while maintaining independence.
“People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives” from the report
Kind relationships
Inspectors saw staff treating people with kindness and respect. Relatives also described people as happy and settled.
“We observed the person had good relationships with staff and staff interacted with them in a kind and respectful manner.” from the report
Family involvement
Families were involved in care planning and could visit at any time. They were also given information about daily life and how to complain.
“People and their families were given information about how to complain.” from the report
Windows needed updating
minorInspectors noted that some windows needed updating. The manager said this was being addressed.
“We saw the maintenance requests and noted that the windows had been raised as they needed updating.” from the report
Recent management changes
minorStaff reported changes in management during the previous year. A new manager had been appointed and had applied to become the registered manager.
“Staff told us there had been manager changes within the service over the last year.” from the report
- 01What progress has been made on updating the windows mentioned in the inspection report?
- 02How will staffing levels change when the person preparing to move in arrives?
- 03What is the current position of the new manager's application to become the registered manager?
- 04How are any restrictions around food access reviewed, and how is the person's consent and choice kept central?
- 05How will you gather and act on the views of the person who was not able to meet the inspector?
This was an announced inspection of all five areas and the overall service rating; the inspector met one person living there, not both people. This explanation was written from the published report of 10 January 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 Wheal Gerry
2 rated inspections over 2 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- January 2018Goodcurrent ratingstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- January 2016GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- January 2015
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 27 January 2015.
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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10 live-in carers within about two hours of Cornwall
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 £1,200 a week. 8 can care for a couple. 12 years' experience on average.
“He had been a little anxious before she arrived, but has since stated that he would be very happy for her to care for him again”
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.