CQC report explained · a nursing home
What the CQC found at Woodland Hall
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
What inspectors found, November 2022
Rated Good; inspectors found safe, effective and well-led care, but this was a focused inspection and did not assess every area.
Inspectors visited the home without warning on 10 November 2022. They spoke with nine people, one relative and eight staff. They observed care, reviewed care and medicines records, and checked management information.
They found people were protected from abuse, risks were assessed, medicines were managed safely and infection controls were in place. Staff recruitment checks were completed and inspectors saw enough staff on duty during the visit.
People's needs were assessed before moving in. Staff had training, people were supported with food and drink, and staff worked with health professionals. Inspectors also found good systems for consent, feedback, incident reviews and service monitoring.
The overall rating was Good. Safe, Effective and Well-led were each rated Good. Caring and Responsive were not inspected at this visit, so their previous ratings were carried forward when calculating the overall rating.
People felt safe
People said they felt safe and well cared for. Inspectors found clear safeguarding procedures and appropriate responses to concerns.
“If you ask me if I am safe here, then the answer is yes. Staff are very good to me and I am well cared for.” from the report
Medicines managed well
Medicines records were described as good, and the electronic system gave alerts if medicines were missed. Staff had medicines training and competency checks.
“The system provided real time alerts if medicines were missed allowing the registered manager to respond swiftly if there had been any errors.” from the report
Choice about food
People had three daily meal choices and could request an alternative. Their dietary needs and weights were monitored.
“People were provided with a menu, which gave them three meal choices every day.” from the report
Open management
People, relatives and staff gave positive feedback about the manager and staff team. Meetings, surveys and audits were used to identify and act on improvements.
“People and relatives were happy with the leadership of the home and the care they received.” from the report
Some staff shortages reported
needs fixingAlthough inspectors saw sufficient staff during the visit and call bell responses were mostly within two minutes, one staff member said the home had experienced staff shortages. The manager was recruiting additional staff.
“We have been short on staff, but I know that the manager has been recruiting and more staff have come and are still coming and this ill help.” from the report
Independence with medicines
minorInspectors suggested that the home explore whether some people could take their medicines independently. This was an area for further consideration rather than a stated breach.
“We discussed with the registered manager that some people may be able to take their medicines independently and suggested that the service explored ways to make this possible.” from the report
- 01How many staff are normally on duty on each unit during the day and at night?
- 02How are staffing levels covered when staff are sick, in training or on annual leave?
- 03Which residents may be able to manage their own medicines, and what assessment is used to decide this?
- 04How will you make sure people can keep making choices about their care and daily routines?
- 05What were the main actions from the most recent surveys and meetings with relatives?
This was a focused inspection of Safe, Effective and Well-led only; Caring and Responsive were not inspected and their previous ratings were carried forward. This explanation was written from the published report of 26 November 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, April 2018
Rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and responsive care, with improvements since the previous inspection.
This was an unannounced inspection on 08 February 2018. Inspectors spoke with people living in the home, relatives, staff and health professionals. They observed care, a handover, a meeting and lunch, and checked care plans, medicines records, staff files and quality checks.
All five areas were rated Good: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. Inspectors found systems to protect people from abuse, enough staff to meet people's needs, safe medicines arrangements and suitable infection control. People received suitable food, health support and care from trained staff.
The previous inspection in January 2017 had found problems with person-centred care, activities, staff training and supervision. At this inspection, inspectors found that the provider had acted on these issues. Care plans were more personalised, activities were varied, and staff had access to training, supervision and appraisals.
Safe medicines
Inspectors checked 13 medicines records and found no gaps. Medicines were stored securely, including controlled drugs, and audits were carried out.
“People received their medicines as prescribed. We looked at 13 MAR charts and found no gaps in the recording of medicines administered” from the report
Kind and respectful care
Staff were observed treating people warmly and respectfully. They supported privacy, dignity and independence.
“Staff were kind and compassionate towards people. We observed they had warm and caring relationships with them.” from the report
Improved staff support
Staff had induction training, refresher training, regular supervision and an annual appraisal system. This addressed a problem found at the previous inspection.
“Staff received regular supervision. An annual appraisal system was in place.” from the report
Good links with health services
The home worked closely with health professionals. A reablement service helped some people regain independence and return home.
“The service had excellent links with health care specialists and a new innovative reablement service supported people to be discharged when required” from the report
Activities and personal choices
People were offered a range of activities and were involved in choosing what they enjoyed. Care plans included people's preferences and were reviewed regularly.
“Regular activities included sing along, soft play, table top game, music memory, baking club and 'daily sparkles'.” from the report
Staffing was not described as constant
minorThe home was rated Good for safety and inspectors found enough staff. However, people said staff were available most of the time rather than all the time, so ask how cover is maintained.
“People who used the service told us that most of the time enough staff were available to meet their needs.” from the report
Some activity plans were still to be introduced
minorA varied activity programme was in place, but evening and weekend activities were still being planned at the time of the inspection.
“People who used the service were offered a variety of activities and the provider planned to provide activities during the evening and also at weekends.” from the report
- 01What evening and weekend activities are now available, and how are people involved in choosing them?
- 02How do you calculate staffing levels from people's needs, and what happens when someone needs extra support?
- 03What training, supervision and appraisal will staff supporting my relative receive?
- 04How often will my relative's care plan be reviewed, and how will our family be involved?
- 05How do you use medicines audits, incident reviews and complaints to make improvements?
This was an unannounced inspection covering all five key questions, including checks that improvements from the January 2017 inspection had been made. This explanation was written from the published report of 7 April 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 Woodland Hall
4 rated inspections over 7 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- November 2022Goodcurrent ratingstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- April 2018Goodup from Requires improvementSafe: GoodEffective: GoodWell-led: Good
- March 2017Requires improvementdown from GoodSafe: GoodEffective: Requires improvementCaring: GoodResponsive: Requires improvementWell-led: Requires improvement
- October 2015GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- March 2014
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 14 March 2014.
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 Harrow
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 £1,330 a week. 81 can care for a couple. 12 years' experience on average.
“She handled the new situation in front of her with such professionalism and I felt I could trust her 100%.”
“I can truly say that Peter always put Dad at the centre of everything and I know that they found a great friendship in difficult times.”
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.