CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Woolston Mead
Rated Requires improvement: inspectors found the home was not performing as well as it should and told it what to change.
- Safe?
- Requires improvement
- Medicines were being managed safely and staffing levels were safe. However, risk assessments and care plans were not always completed promptly, and some environmental issues needed attention.
- Effective?
- Good
- This question was not inspected during this focused inspection. Its previous rating was carried forward.
- Caring?
- Good
- This question was not inspected during this focused inspection. Its previous rating was carried forward.
- Responsive?
- Good
- This question was not inspected during this focused inspection. Its previous rating was carried forward.
- Well-led?
- Requires improvement
- Quality monitoring had improved, including regular provider checks and a new medicines management system. More work was needed to monitor the environment and care plans for new residents.
What inspectors found, September 2023
Requires Improvement; inspectors found caring staff and safer medicines, but risk assessments and the home’s environment still needed improvement.
This was an unannounced focused inspection on 18 and 20 July 2023. One inspector spoke with people, relatives, staff and a visiting professional. They reviewed care, medicines, recruitment and management records.
The home had improved its medicines system and was no longer breaching the regulations found at the previous inspection. Staff were available, people said they felt safe, and care was described as kind and patient.
However, risk assessments and care plans were not always completed promptly for new admissions or people returning from hospital. Some bedrooms and other areas also needed better cleaning, repairs, lighting or decoration.
The overall rating remains Requires Improvement. This focused inspection only assessed Safe and Well-led. The other ratings were carried over from the previous inspection.
Safer medicines
The medicines system had changed since the previous inspection. Records were maintained and medicines were stored securely and given by trained staff.
“Since our last inspection the provider had changed the medicines system. Medicines were now safely managed.” from the report
Enough staff
Inspectors saw staff available and attentive during both inspection days. Most people said there were enough staff.
“Staffing levels were safe. We observed staff were attentive and available to respond to people's needs on each day of our inspection.” from the report
Kind and patient care
People were supported calmly and staff took time to talk with them. People and most relatives spoke positively about the care.
“People were not rushed when being assisted and staff took time to sit and talk with people.” from the report
Improved monitoring
The provider had introduced more detailed quality checks and kept records of provider visits. This showed progress since the previous inspection.
“Since our last inspection, the provider had made improvements to monitor the quality of the service.” from the report
Delayed risk assessments
needs fixingRisk assessments and care plans were not always completed promptly for people newly admitted or returning from hospital. Managers addressed the shortfalls found during the inspection.
“risk assessment and care plans were not always completed in a timely manner for people who were newly admitted to the service; or who had returned to Woolston Mead from a period in hospital.” from the report
Condition of some areas
needs fixingSome bedroom areas needed more cleaning, repairs and decoration. Dim lighting and excess furniture outside also needed attention, although immediate action was taken.
“Some seating was tired and worn in lounge areas; a small number of bedrooms needed immediate attention due to damaged furniture and a need for further cleaning.” from the report
Ongoing oversight needed
needs fixingThe management systems had improved but did not yet consistently monitor the environment and care plans for new residents.
“Some focus was still needed to continuously monitor the quality of the environment and the care plans of people newly admitted to the service.” from the report
- 01How quickly will you complete a risk assessment and care plan when someone is newly admitted or returns from hospital?
- 02What checks now make sure new residents’ care plans stay up to date?
- 03Which bedroom repairs, cleaning and decoration have been completed, and what remains outstanding?
- 04How do you check that lighting and outdoor areas are safe and usable?
- 05What progress has been made since the inspection, and when will the next review take place?
This was an unannounced focused inspection of Safe and Well-led; the other ratings were carried forward from the previous inspection. This explanation was written from the published report of 2 September 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, August 2022
Rated Requires Improvement; inspectors found unsafe medicines management and weak checks, although care was kind and the home was clean.
This was an unannounced, focused inspection on 14 July 2022. Inspectors looked at Safe and Well-led, including medicines, the building, infection control, staffing and management checks. They spoke with people, relatives and staff, observed care and reviewed records.
The home was clean during the visit. People were supported by enough staff, and people and relatives generally said they felt safe. Staff were caring, knew the people they supported and were approachable.
However, medicines were not always given or recorded safely. Parts of the building needed repair, refurbishment or redecoration. The home’s checks had not found or dealt with these problems effectively. The home breached regulations about safe care and treatment and good governance.
The overall rating changed from Good at the previous inspection to Requires Improvement. The home said it had started immediate improvement work and introduced extra medicines checks. CQC requested an action plan and will continue to monitor progress.
Clean during the visit
Inspectors found the home clean and hygienic. Staff followed infection control guidance, used the required protective equipment and had enhanced cleaning schedules.
“During our inspection the home was clean and hygienic.” from the report
People felt safe
People and relatives said they felt safe. The home had systems for recording and responding to accidents, incidents and safeguarding concerns.
“There were systems in place to effectively record and respond to accidents, incidents and safeguarding concerns.” from the report
Caring staff
Inspectors saw caring interactions. Staff knew the people they supported and had good relationships with them.
“There was a kind and caring culture amongst staff at the service.” from the report
Staffing and recruitment
Inspectors found enough staff to meet people’s needs during the visit, and new staff were recruited using safety checks.
“There were enough staff at the home to meet people's needs.” from the report
Medicines were not always safe
seriousMedicines were not always given as prescribed. Records for medicines, creams and patches were incomplete or inaccurate, and as-needed medicine guidance was not readily available.
“Systems in place had failed to ensure medicines were managed safely. This placed people at risk of harm.” from the report
Building needed work
needs fixingParts of the home, including the garden, storage areas and some surfaces, needed repair, clearing, refurbishment or redecoration. Improvement work had started after the inspection.
“Some parts of the environment needed refurbishment, repair and/or redecoration.” from the report
Management checks missed problems
seriousQuality assurance systems did not identify or address the medicines, environmental and infection control issues effectively. This was a breach of the good governance regulation.
“The provider's governance and quality assurance systems were not always effective. This placed people at risk of harm.” from the report
Mixed views about staffing
minorAlthough inspectors found staffing levels met people’s needs, some people and relatives felt there could be more staff.
“People and relatives' feedback about staffing levels at the home varied, some felt there were enough staff, but others felt there could be more staff.” from the report
- 01What changes have you made to ensure every medicine is given as prescribed and recorded accurately?
- 02How do you now record applications of creams and the positioning of medicine patches?
- 03Are as-needed medicine protocols available to staff at the point they give the medicine?
- 04Which repairs, clearance and refurbishment work has been completed, and what remains in the longer-term plan?
- 05How will you check that your quality assurance systems identify and fix problems promptly?
This was a focused inspection of Safe and Well-led only; ratings for the other key questions were carried forward from the previous inspection when calculating the overall rating. This explanation was written from the published report of 17 August 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 Woolston Mead
8 rated inspections over 8 years: the service has held its Requires improvement rating throughout.
- September 2023Requires improvementcurrent ratingstayed Requires improvementSafe: Requires improvementEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Requires improvement
- August 2022Requires improvementdown from GoodSafe: Requires improvementWell-led: Requires improvement
- April 2019Goodup from Requires improvementSafe: GoodWell-led: Good
- May 2018Requires improvementup from InadequateSafe: Requires improvementEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Requires improvement
- October 2017Inadequatestayed InadequateSafe: InadequateEffective: Requires improvementCaring: Requires improvementResponsive: Requires improvementWell-led: Inadequate
- April 2017Inadequatedown from GoodSafe: InadequateEffective: Requires improvementCaring: Requires improvementResponsive: Requires improvementWell-led: Inadequate
- October 2015Goodup from Requires improvementSafe: Requires improvementEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- May 2015Requires improvementSafe: InadequateEffective: Requires improvementCaring: GoodResponsive: Requires improvementWell-led: Requires improvement
- October 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- January 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- September 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- January 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- November 2011
Report published without a new overall rating.
- January 2011
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 19 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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38 live-in carers within about an hour of Sefton
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 £1,270 a week. 34 can care for a couple. 11 years' experience on average.
“He developed a close affinity with Terence, spending time talking with him before he retired to bed and looking after his needs during the night.”
“It was clear that she genuinely cared and her warm approach really helped put our minds at ease.”
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.