CQC report explained · a nursing home
What the CQC found at Wytham House
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
What inspectors found, February 2022
Wytham House was inspected but not rated; inspectors were assured about infection control, visiting arrangements and cleanliness.
This was an announced, targeted inspection on 27 January 2022. It focused on infection prevention and control, visiting arrangements and staffing pressures linked to COVID-19.
Inspectors were assured that the home used personal protective equipment safely, supported testing, managed admissions and visits safely, and had an up-to-date infection control policy. They also found the home clean, tidy and fresh-smelling.
The home supported people who were at extreme risk or isolating by giving them dedicated staff. Visitors were booked in safely, and people could keep in touch with relatives through technology and face-to-face visits.
The service was inspected but not rated. This report is not an overall judgement of the quality of care.
Safe visiting
Visits were arranged at suitable times and spaced out to reduce the risk of infection spreading. Relatives could also keep in touch through technology and face-to-face visits.
“The service was booking visitors in at a time that suited people and was spaced out to avoid potential infection transmission with other visitors.” from the report
Support during isolation
People at extreme risk or isolating were given dedicated staff who supported their care, meals and social contact.
“People at extreme risk and those isolating were supported in creative ways, including having their own dedicated staff who provided a support bubble” from the report
Clean environment
Inspectors found the home clean and well maintained, supported by rigorous cleaning schedules.
“The home was clean, tidy and smelled fresh. Rigorous cleaning schedules ensured the home was maintained to a safe and hygienic standard.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How do you currently arrange visits and reduce the risk of infection spreading?
- 02How would you support my relative if they needed to isolate or were at extreme risk?
- 03How do you manage staffing pressures when staff are absent because of COVID-19?
- 04How often are cleaning schedules checked, and what happens if a problem is found?
- 05What infection prevention and control arrangements have changed since the inspection on 27 January 2022?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control, visiting arrangements and COVID-19-related staffing pressures; it did not provide an overall rating. This explanation was written from the published report of 17 February 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, March 2020
Rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and personalised care, with some corridors not always dementia friendly.
This was an unannounced inspection on 11 March 2020. Inspectors spoke with relatives and staff, observed care, checked records and medicines, looked around the home, and gathered views from health and social care professionals. Most residents had communication difficulties, so inspectors relied mainly on observations and discussions with relatives and staff.
The home was rated Good in all five areas: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. Inspectors found enough staff, safe medicines practice, good care planning and kind interactions. People were supported with food, activities, healthcare, independence and personal choices.
The main shortfall was that some corridors were all the same colour. Inspectors said this could confuse people living with dementia. The overall rating was unchanged from the previous inspection, which was published on 13 September 2017.
Safe staffing and medicines
Inspectors found enough staff to meet people's needs. Medicines were stored, given and recorded safely.
“There were enough staff to meet people's needs. We saw people were attended to in a timely manner and staff were not rushed.” from the report
Kind and familiar care
Staff treated people respectfully and knew their histories, interests and support needs. Consistent staffing helped build trusting relationships.
“People received consistent, timely care and support from familiar staff who understood their needs and got along with them.” from the report
Personalised support
Care plans reflected people's routines, preferences, abilities and changing needs. Staff adapted support to individuals.
“People received personalised care and support specific to their needs, preferences and routines.” from the report
Good food and mealtime support
People were supported to eat and drink in a dignified way. Inspectors found varied food, suitable alternatives and enough staff at mealtimes.
“Meal times were set to suit people's individual needs, were not rushed and were supported by enough members of staff who provided personal support.” from the report
Activities and relationships
People could take part in group or individual activities, day trips and social contact. Staff respected people's choices if they did not want to join in.
“People had access to a variety of activities which included individual and group activities such as arts and crafts and singing sessions.” from the report
Some corridors may confuse people with dementia
minorThe corridors were all the same colour. Inspectors said this could make it harder for some people living with dementia to find their way around.
“However, some aspects of the home decoration were not always dementia friendly.” from the report
Recruitment was still continuing
minorStaffing levels were judged sufficient, but the home was using agency staff when needed and was still recruiting. Families may want to ask how continuity is maintained during vacancies.
“The registered manager told us they were using agency staff when needed and that recruitment was on-going.” from the report
- 01What changes have been made, or are planned, to make the corridors easier for people living with dementia to navigate?
- 02How often are agency staff used, and how do you make sure temporary staff know each person's needs?
- 03Has a second activities coordinator been recruited, and how are activities provided throughout the day?
- 04How will you keep relatives informed about changes in care, following the reported improvement in communication?
- 05How are each person's care plans reviewed when their needs, preferences or communication needs change?
This was an unannounced inspection covering all five CQC questions, with the overall rating and each question rating remaining Good from the previous inspection. This explanation was written from the published report of 28 March 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.
Every inspection of Wytham House
2 rated inspections over 3 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- February 2022Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- March 2020Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- September 2017GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- July 2016
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 7 July 2016.
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 Oxfordshire
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 £1,300 a week. 32 can care for a couple. 12 years' experience on average.
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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.