CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Woodlands Farmhouse
Rated Requires improvement: inspectors found the home was not performing as well as it should and told it what to change.
- Safe?
- Requires improvement
- The home had improved medicine management and had resolved a hot water scalding risk. However, night staffing, some risk assessments, cleaning, carpets and the infection control policy needed improvement.
- Effective?
- Requires improvement
- People received healthcare support and staff had role-specific training. However, meal choices, staff supervision, care planning and the application of the Mental Capacity Act were not consistent.
- Caring?
- Good
- This question was not rated in this inspection. The report says ratings for key questions not inspected were carried over from the previous inspection.
- Responsive?
- Good
- This question was not rated in this inspection. The report says ratings for key questions not inspected were carried over from the previous inspection.
- Well-led?
- Requires improvement
- Frequent management changes disrupted the home. Audits, records and improvement systems were not completed consistently, although the current management team had introduced new checks and was working on improvements.
What inspectors found, March 2023
Rated Requires Improvement; inspectors found kind care and safer medicines, but concerns about management, records, staffing and people's choices.
The CQC carried out an unannounced inspection after concerns about medicines, care plans, risk assessments, records and management systems. One inspector spoke with five people and six staff, reviewed care records and management records, and visited the home.
The home had experienced four home managers in 14 months. The CQC found that checks and records had not been completed consistently. This meant some problems were missed, including incomplete care plans, poor records, gaps in staff supervision and earlier medicine errors.
There were also concerns about one staff member working alone at night, limited meal choices, infection control and mixed understanding of the Mental Capacity Act. The CQC found improvements in medicine management, safer hot water, staff recruitment and the kindness of care.
The overall rating changed from Good in 2018 to Requires Improvement. Safe, Effective and Well-led were all rated Requires Improvement. The CQC found one breach of regulation and asked the provider for an action plan.
Kind staff
People said they felt safe and were treated kindly. Staff knew people well and had time to spend with them.
“Staff were able to spend quality time with people on both days we visited; they were not just focussed on care tasks or other routines in the home such as laundry or cooking.” from the report
Medicine improvements
The report says medicines were being given safely and records showed reasons when medicines were not given.
“People had a safe place to keep their medicines and received them as prescribed.” from the report
Safe recruitment
The provider checked references and suitability before employing staff.
“This included references from previous employers and checks to ensure staff were suitable to work with vulnerable people.” from the report
Healthcare links
The home worked with healthcare professionals and supported people to access GP and other specialist care.
“The provider had built "a very strong relationship" with the local GP surgery.” from the report
Management and records
seriousFrequent changes in managers disrupted the service. Audits and records were not reliable enough to identify and follow up problems.
“The shortfalls in the governance of the service were a breach of Regulation 17 (Good governance) of The Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014.” from the report
Night staffing
needs fixingOnly one staff member was on duty overnight. This could make it difficult for people needing two staff to get up, go to bed or make choices at night.
“The practice of only having 1 staff member on duty may therefore affect people's care or the choices available to them.” from the report
Limited meal choice
needs fixingPeople were given one main meal each lunchtime and the menu board was blank during both visits. The provider said meal choices would be reviewed.
“People said there was no choice as such as there was only one main meal prepared each lunchtime.” from the report
Mental Capacity Act
seriousStaff did not always apply the law correctly when making decisions for people who could not make particular decisions themselves. In one example, a legally authorised relative was not consulted.
“This meant their legal rights had not been protected.” from the report
Infection control and supervision
needs fixingGeneral cleaning and worn carpets needed improvement. Some staff supervision and training competency records could not be confirmed.
“The provider had ordered new carpets as those in use were badly stained and worn and needed replacing.” from the report
- 01Who is currently responsible for managing the home day to day, and how will you keep management stable?
- 02How many staff will be on duty overnight, and how will two-person care be provided if needed?
- 03What meal choices are now available, and how are residents told what food will be served?
- 04How do you check that Mental Capacity Act decisions involve the correct family member or legal representative?
- 05How will you make sure care plans, risk assessments, medicine competency checks and staff supervisions are complete and regularly reviewed?
This inspection focused on Safe, Effective and Well-led; the report says ratings for key questions not inspected were carried over from the previous inspection. This explanation was written from the published report of 8 March 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.
What inspectors found, March 2022
Woodlands Farmhouse was inspected but not rated; inspectors found infection-control measures in place.
This was an unannounced, targeted inspection on 7 February 2022. It followed information of concern about infection prevention and control. Inspectors also asked about staffing pressures linked to COVID-19.
There were seven people living at the home. Most were living with dementia and could not describe their care, but inspectors saw people appearing comfortable, happy and relaxed with staff. People spoken with said they felt safe and well cared for.
Inspectors were assured about visitor checks, testing, PPE, cleaning, social distancing, admissions and managing possible outbreaks. The home was inspected but not rated, so this report does not give a quality rating such as Good or Requires Improvement.
Infection prevention
Inspectors were assured that the home was using PPE safely and had measures to prevent infections spreading.
“We were assured that the provider was using PPE effectively and safely.” from the report
Clean environment
The premises were clean and free from odours. Enhanced cleaning and disinfection were continuing.
“The premises were clean and odour free.” from the report
Testing and monitoring
Regular COVID-19 testing was in place for staff and residents, and people's health was monitored carefully.
“A regular programme of testing for COVID-19 was in place for staff and people who lived in the home.” from the report
Keeping families informed
Staff kept people and families updated by email and telephone and supported visits in line with guidance.
“Staff kept people and families up-to-date with the current situation through regular emails and phone calls.” from the report
Infection-control oversight
The deputy manager oversaw infection-control processes, with regular audits and action when shortfalls were found.
“Regular infection prevention and control audits were carried out. Action was taken where shortfalls were identified.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How would you manage any current or future COVID-19-related staff pressures?
- 02How are relatives kept informed if there is an infection risk or outbreak?
- 03What testing arrangements are currently in place for staff and residents?
- 04How do you arrange visits when infection-control restrictions change?
- 05How do you check that PPE, cleaning and isolation arrangements continue to work well?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control, with questions about staffing pressures; only Safe was inspected and it was not rated. This explanation was written from the published report of 1 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.
Every inspection of Woodlands Farmhouse
3 rated inspections over 7 years: the service has slipped, from Good to Requires improvement.
- March 2023Requires improvementcurrent ratingSafe: Requires improvementEffective: Requires improvementCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Requires improvement
- March 2022Inspected but not ratedSafe: Inspected but not rated
- March 2021Inspected but not ratedSafe: Inspected but not rated
- February 2018Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodWell-led: Good
- December 2015GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- October 2014
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 14 October 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.
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
76 live-in carers within about two hours of Somerset
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 £1,370 a week. 62 can care for a couple. 12 years' experience on average.
“She looked after my mum, who can be incredibly challenging, so well and so gently, and we always felt confident that my mum was getting the best care available.”
“She was not phased by anything, she was adaptable, kind & gave us complete confidence to go away & not worry about a thing!”
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.