CQC report explained · a nursing home
What the CQC found at Woodford House
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors found that risks were assessed and reviewed, staffing levels matched assessed needs, and staff responded in a timely and appropriate way. Infection prevention measures were also checked and inspectors were assured about them.
- Effective?
- Good
- This question was not assessed during this targeted inspection.
- Caring?
- Good
- This question was not assessed during this targeted inspection.
- Responsive?
- Good
- This question was not assessed during this targeted inspection.
- Well-led?
- Good
- This question was not assessed during this targeted inspection.
What inspectors found, November 2020
Rated Good overall; this targeted inspection found timely, appropriate responses and no evidence of harm from the concerns checked.
Inspectors made an unannounced, targeted visit on 7 October 2020. They followed up concerns that people were not always responded to quickly or appropriately. They spoke with staff, observed care and checked four people's care records and other records.
They found that risks were assessed and reviewed. Staffing matched the levels identified as needed, and staff responded to people in a timely and appropriate way. Staff understood people's needs and had relevant training.
The inspection also checked infection prevention measures. Inspectors were assured that the home used personal protective equipment safely, followed social distancing and shielding rules, and had arrangements for testing and managing outbreaks.
The overall rating stayed Good, as it had been at the previous inspection. Safe was inspected but not rated. This was because the visit looked only at specific concerns, not the whole Safe question or the other four questions.
Timely responses
Inspectors saw staff respond to people's needs promptly and appropriately during the visit.
“During the inspection we saw staff responding to people's needs in an appropriate and timely manner.” from the report
Risk management
The home had personalised risk assessments covering areas such as eating and drinking, mobility, skin care and behaviour.
“Personalised risk assessments had been written for the people living there covering a range of risk including eating and drinking, skin care, mobility, activities and managing behaviours that challenged.” from the report
Staff knowledge and training
Staff understood the needs of the people they supported and how to help people become calm when anxious. Records showed they had received relevant training.
“Staff were knowledgeable about the people they supported including measures to keep them safe and how to calm them when they became anxious.” from the report
Infection prevention
Inspectors were assured about the home's arrangements for visitors, protective equipment, testing, hygiene and managing possible outbreaks.
“We were assured that the provider was making sure infection outbreaks can be effectively prevented or managed.” from the report
Limited scope of this inspection
minorThe visit checked only the specific safety concerns and did not reassess all areas of safety or the other four questions. The Safe rating therefore remained from the previous inspection rather than being newly assessed in full.
“Targeted inspections do not change the rating from the previous inspection.” from the report
- 01How do you check that people are responded to promptly when they need help?
- 02How do staffing levels reflect each person's current risk assessment?
- 03How do you support people who become anxious without using physical or chemical restraint?
- 04How often are people's risk assessments reviewed and updated?
- 05How do you keep infection prevention arrangements up to date and manage any outbreak?
This was a targeted inspection of specific concerns under Regulation 12 and infection prevention measures; the overall Good rating and the other key-question ratings were not changed or newly assessed. This explanation was written from the published report of 10 November 2020 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 2018
Woodford House was rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and responsive care across all five areas.
This was an unannounced, comprehensive inspection on 20 November 2018. Three inspectors observed care, spoke with people living in the home, relatives, visitors and staff, and reviewed seven care records and management records.
The inspectors found that people were safe. Risks were reviewed, staffing was sufficient, medicines were managed safely, and safeguarding and infection control procedures were followed.
Care was effective, caring and responsive. Staff were trained, knew people well, supported choice and independence, offered activities and meal choices, and arranged healthcare support when needed.
The home was rated Good in every area: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. It had also been rated Good at the previous inspection, with no serious risks or concerns identified during this inspection.
Enough staff
Inspectors found staff available when people needed support. Staffing levels were based on people's needs and could be changed if required.
“There were enough staff available to meet people's needs.” from the report
Kind relationships
People were supported by staff they liked. Inspectors saw staff spending time with people and supporting their comfort and dignity.
“The atmosphere within the home was relaxed and friendly.” from the report
Activities and choice
People could take part in group or individual activities, and an activity planner set out opportunities over the following months.
“People were given the opportunity to participate in activities they enjoyed.” from the report
Feedback used
The home held meetings with people and relatives and used their feedback to make changes.
“Feedback was sought from people who used the home and their relatives.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How do you review staffing levels when a person's needs change?
- 02How are 'as required' medicines offered and recorded, and how are staff guided about when they should be used?
- 03How will my relative and our family be involved in reviewing their care?
- 04What changes have been made as a result of recent feedback, incidents or quality checks?
- 05How will you support my relative's preferred activities, communication needs and cultural or religious needs?
This was an unannounced comprehensive inspection covering all five CQC questions, and the overall Good rating had not changed since the previous inspection. This explanation was written from the published report of 4 December 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 Woodford House
3 rated inspections over 5 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- November 2020Goodcurrent ratingstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- December 2018Goodstayed Good
- April 2016GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- October 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- November 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- December 2012
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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At least 100 live-in carers within about an hour of Staffordshire
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 £1,230 a week. 85 can care for a couple. 10 years' experience on average.
“We particularly appreciate the companionship Dawn gives in the evenings when she plays cards and Scrabble with my mother.”
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.