The Care Quality Commission
  • Care Home
  • Care home

Archived: Cheveley House

Cheveley Park Estate, Belmont, County Durham, DH1 2AD (0191) 386 3787

Provided and run by:
Durham County Council

All Inspections

19 July 2013

During a routine inspection

We observed staff providing care and support to people throughout the inspection. There was a calm, friendly atmosphere around the home and people were seen to respond positively to the staff throughout.

During our visit we found peoples' care and welfare needs were met in a way which ensured their safety. People told us 'We are well looked after here,' 'They always ask you what you feel like,' 'They treat you well,' and 'It's a good service. They got the ambulance quickly when I needed it. They keep an eye on my ulcers and my knees.' We spoke to two visiting relatives who also confirmed they were very happy with the care their family member received.

We found the provider had made suitable arrangements to manage and administer peoples' medicines safely. One person told us 'They stand by me to make sure I take my medicines OK.' We also saw appropriate arrangements were in place to protect people from the risk of harm or abuse.

We saw there were enough staff to meet the care and welfare needs of people. One person told us 'You just have to ring the bell and they are there.'

We also found the provider had taken steps to listen to and act upon peoples complaints. One person told us 'I would tell them if I wasn't happy. I do open my mouth and they put it right,' another person said 'I have no complaints.'

16 January 2013

During a routine inspection

We spoke with several people who used the service. Everyone spoke positively about the care they received.

We observed staff providing care and support to people throughout the inspection. There was a calm, friendly atmosphere around the home and people were seen to respond positively to the staff throughout. People were dressed tidily and appeared well cared for.

We saw people were fully involved in any decisions about their care. We also found care and treatment at the home was planned and delivered in a way which ensured people's safety and welfare. One person said 'My eyesight isn't very good. The optician is coming here tomorrow to see me.' Another person said 'I have been getting better since I've been here.'

People's nutritional needs were met. Comments from people included 'The food is very nice. We get two choices and for breakfast bacon and mushrooms.'

We found the home to be clean and adequately maintained. People said 'They come in every day to hover, dust and clean my sink.'

We found there were enough staff on duty to meet people's needs. Everyone we spoke with using the service told us staff responded quickly when they used the call system. They also said 'The staff are very caring' and 'The staff are very good.'

Everyone said they would have no hesitation in making a complaint if they were unhappy. One person said 'I would complain. I have as much say as them. I have a right to my say.'

23 March 2012

During an inspection looking at part of the service

The people we spoke to were generally satisfied with the service provided. Some people told us they thought staff were overworked and that they could wait a long time for help if staff were busy.

27 October 2011

During a routine inspection

We spoke with several people during our visit and a relative. They told us:

'They (the staff) very much treat me with respect',

'We get choices about what to eat',

'If you want anything different, they try their best to get it for you',

'We have a meeting every so often. It's then if you have anything to say you write it down',

'We go down for breakfast at 8.30am but you can have it in bed if you want to',

'There have not been as many activities. There used to be bingo now and again,

'I'm not suffering. I'm well looked after',

'It's excellent, I'm well looked after',

' I make my own entertainment' and

'We had physio this morning'.

The majority of people said there were not enough staff. People's comments included, 'We generally get a cup of tea at 10.30am but not today as there are not enough staff',

'Sometimes there seem to be more staff than other times',

'I press the buzzer and they come if they are not too busy',

'Sometimes there are not enough staff and it takes them a while to come' and

'There are not enough staff'.

A relative we spoke with praised the service their family member received. She told us that staff always made sure they helped her family member to put on her make-up and perfume each day. She said, 'They never just stick any clothing on her, they always make sure its matching.'

One person we talked with explained her plan of care to us in detail. She told us how the staff and other health care professionals, such as the occupational therapist, had helped her to improve her health so that she could return home.

Everyone without exception told us that they felt safe living at Cheveley House. One person said, ' I would tell one of the head ones if I was not happy'.

People told us the building was always clean and that the staff were always 'hoovering'. One person showed us their bedroom carpet. We saw that it was very old and worn and was two different colours in places.