CQC report explained · a residential care home, run by Franklin Care Group
Ecclesholme
Vicars Street, Eccles, Manchester, M30 0DG
Rated Good: inspectors found the service performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- People were protected from abuse and avoidable harm. Staffing, recruitment, medicines and premises safety were generally well managed, although one missing risk assessment was identified and completed during the inspection.
- Effective?
- Good
- People's needs were assessed and staff had relevant training and support. People received suitable food and drink and were helped to access healthcare.
- Caring?
- Good
- People were treated with kindness, dignity and respect. Staff supported people's choices, independence, routines and family relationships.
- Responsive?
- Good
- Care was personalised and communication needs were understood. Care records were moving from paper to electronic systems, and reviews after incidents needed to be more robust.
- Well-led?
- Good
- Management systems provided oversight and a continuous improvement plan was in place. The provider was asked to review the removal of the receptionist role and a relatives' meeting was arranged after concerns were raised.
What inspectors found, December 2023
Rated Good; inspectors found kind, safe and person-centred care, with some records and activity planning needing improvement.
Inspectors visited on 24 October and 7 November 2023. The first visit was unannounced. They spoke with people, relatives, visitors, staff and a health professional. They reviewed medicines, four care plans, recruitment, safety and management records.
All five areas were rated Good: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. People and relatives described staff as kind and respectful. Inspectors saw warm interactions, safe medicines practice, suitable staffing, good meals and support to access healthcare.
There were some minor shortfalls. A risk assessment was missing after an incident, care plan reviews after incidents needed to be stronger, and activities had recently reduced. The home took immediate action on the issues identified.
Kind and respectful staff
People and relatives said staff were kind, caring and respectful. Inspectors observed warm, friendly interactions and good relationships between staff and people.
“Interactions between people and staff were warm, kind and showed they knew each other well.” from the report
Safe medicines support
People received medicines at the right time from staff whose skills were checked. Records and regular medicines audits were found to be accurate.
“People were supported to receive their medicines safely, at the right time, by staff whose competency was regularly assessed.” from the report
Good food and healthcare support
People enjoyed meals and were offered alternatives when needed. Staff worked with healthcare professionals and relatives were kept informed about health concerns.
“People enjoyed a positive mealtime experience and were supported to eat and drink enough to maintain a balanced diet.” from the report
Personalised dementia-friendly setting
The home had spacious areas, clear signs and adaptations to help people move around and find their rooms. Staff understood how to communicate with people living with advanced dementia.
“The main corridors were decorated to resemble a street with brick wallpaper and multi-coloured front door transfers applied to each bedroom door.” from the report
Risk assessment missing after an incident
seriousA new risk identified after a recent incident did not have a matching risk assessment. The manager took immediate action during the inspection.
“We identified a missing risk assessment had not been completed following a recent incident.” from the report
Activities had reduced
minorPeople said activities had recently become less frequent after the activities coordinator left. A replacement had started shortly after the inspection.
“Care staff were encouraged to coordinate activities and opportunities both in and away from the home, although people told us these had recently taken a back seat.” from the report
Reception cover
needs fixingRemoving the receptionist role was affecting other staff because visitors and professionals sometimes waited for access. The provider agreed to review this decision.
“Due to the large footfall into the home staff were often distracted from other duties, as visitors and professionals waited for access.” from the report
Relatives' meetings
minorSome relatives were concerned that there had been few meetings since the new provider took control. Feedback was given and a relatives' meeting was scheduled.
“Relatives we spoke with had expressed some concerns about the lack of meetings held since the new provider had assumed control of the business.” from the report
- 01How do you make sure a new risk assessment is completed promptly after an incident?
- 02How are care plans and risk assessments reviewed after accidents or changes in someone's needs?
- 03What activities are now available, both in the home and in the community, since the new activities coordinator started?
- 04How will visitors and professionals be given access without distracting care staff from their other duties?
- 05When will relatives' meetings take place, and how will families' views be used?
This was the first inspection of the newly registered service and covered all five key questions; the previous provider's rating was Good, published on 25 April 2018. This explanation was written from the published report of 22 December 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.
Every inspection of Ecclesholme
2 rated inspections over 6 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- December 2023Goodcurrent ratingSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- February 2021Inspected but not ratedSafe: Inspected but not rated
- May 2018GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- September 2022
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 1 September 2022.
Ratings and report dates from the Care Quality Commission. A service can also be visited without a new rating being published, so the timeline shows published inspections, not every contact the CQC has had with the service.
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Other services run by Franklin Care Group Limited
8 other services on the CQC register. A pattern across a group tells you more than one report.