Care home praised by CQC following previous medication handling issues
A Gateshead care home has been praised after it was previously criticised for its management of medicine.
Primrose House on Crowhall Lane was visited by the Quality Care Commission in July with the home, which caters for up to 65 people, praised for how it has delat with previous issues.
A previous inspection saw the site criticised for its management of medicine, with the CQC saying the site is no longer in breach of the regulations it had previously broken.
The inspection report reds: “In late 2024 a new management team took over the operation of Primrose House Limited. In April 2025 they appointed a regional management team to oversee the service, and they were actively supporting the staff to ensure they always delivered the care and support people needed.
“There had been no registered manager since 2023 albeit several managers did come into post. When we inspected the deputy manager was overseeing the service and staff were positive about their management style and felt they had ensured improvements were made.”
It adds: “The building needed full refurbishment. The management team had closed the top floor in order to start this major redecoration programme. During the inspection they also started decorative works in the ground floor communal areas.
“The new management team were ensuring the systems in place to encourage continuous learning, innovation and improvement across the service were always effective.
“The team had identified where the service needed to improve and were in the process of making changes. These changes were not yet embedded into practice. When we discussed areas to be improved the new management team immediately to address them.”
Inspections on care homes are split into five sub-categories with each one rated individially. These are safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led.
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All categories, with the exception of the final leadership section, are now rated ‘good’, the second hgihest rating. The ‘well-led’ category is listed as ‘requiring improvement’.
Referring to the home’s previous issues, the inspection adds: “Overall, medicines were safely managed. Staff worked with local healthcare professionals and sought advice when required. Staff worked as a team to ensure people’s support needs were met.”