Rated Care Homes

St Mary's Care Home

G

Good

Rated on

Rating from the Care Quality Commission.

At a glance

  • 8 ratings

    Its last inspection improved it from Requires improvement to Good.

  • 20 months

    since the latest rating was published.

  • 117 of 136

    rated care homes in County Durham are rated Good, like this one.

St Mary's Care Home: inspection record

Care home with nursing, 54 beds, County Durham

Rated Good in February 2025, up from Requires improvement.

St Mary's Care Home: inspection record: inspection ratings by year, 2015 to 2026
201520162017201820192020202120222023202420252026
Overall
Safe
Effective
Caring
Responsive
Well-led

Ratings published by the Care Quality Commission.

What inspectors found

From the Care Quality Commission's assessment published 27 February 2025 (assessment visit 9 December 2024). Quoted under the Open Government Licence.

Date of assessment: 11 February to 18 February 2025. St Mary’s Care Home is a care home providing accommodation and nursing care to a maximum of 56 older people. At the time of our visit, 46 people were using the service. At our last inspection, we identified breaches of legal regulation in relation to person-centred care and good governance. At this inspection, improvements had been made and the provider was no longer in breach of regulations. Further improvements were needed to infection prevention control practices in bathrooms regarding clinical waste, which were discussed with the provider and were being addressed. Since the last inspection, the registered manager had introduced improvements to the service, including to activities to ensure people received person-centred care. An enthusiastic activities person had been recruited and a varied programme of entertainment, activities and outings was now taking place. The environment was better maintained, some bathrooms had been refurbished and lighting in areas improved. Further areas of improvement in these areas, identified at inspection, including to ensure people’s safety, were addressed immediately. Improvements had been made to records including staff recruitment and medicines records to ensure people received safe care. Care records were in place to ensure staff had guidance to meet people’s needs in a person-centred way. We advised more regular evaluation of all care plans. Risks to people had been assessed and care plans were in place to help mitigate risks as far as possible. Accidents and incidents were investigated thoroughly The service provided rehabilitation to people discharged from hospital, to help prepare them to return home. There were sufficient trained staff who worked with other professionals to ensure people's needs were met in a safe and timely way. Staff were attentive and treated people with kindness and compassion. Governance was more robust.

  • Safe Good
  • Effective Good
  • Caring Good
  • Responsive Good
  • Well-led Good
Read the rest of CQC's summary
  1. Safe

    Good

    Safe – this means we looked for evidence that people were protected from abuse and avoidable harm. At our last assessment we rated this key question requires improvement. At this assessment the rating has changed to good. This meant people were safe and protected from avoidable harm.

  2. Effective

    Good

    Effective – this means we looked for evidence that people’s care, treatment and support achieved good outcomes and promoted a good quality of life, based on best available evidence. At our last assessment we rated this key question requires improvement. At this assessment the rating has changed to good. This meant people’s outcomes were consistently good, and people’s feedback confirmed this.

  3. Caring

    Good

    Caring – this means we looked for evidence that the service involved people and treated them with compassion, kindness, dignity and respect. At our last assessment we rated this key question good. At this assessment the rating has remained good. This meant people were supported and treated with dignity and respect; and involved as partners in their care.

  4. Responsive

    Good

    Responsive – this means we looked for evidence that the service met people’s needs. At our last assessment we rated this key question requires improvement. At this assessment the rating has changed to good. This meant people’s needs were met through good organisation and delivery.

  5. Well-led

    Good

    Well-led – this means we looked for evidence that service leadership, management and governance assured high-quality, person-centred care; supported learning and innovation; and promoted an open, fair culture. At our last assessment we rated this key question requires improvement. At this assessment the rating has changed to good. This meant the service was consistently managed and well-led. Leaders and the culture they created promoted high-quality, person-centred care.

Questions to ask when you visit

  1. Ask how nursing cover works at night and at weekends.
  2. Ask to see the most recent Care Quality Commission (CQC) report and what the home did about any points in it.
  3. Visit at different times of day, including a mealtime.

Registration details

Registered manager
Julia Stephens
Registered with the CQC since
What it provides
Care home service with nursing
Who it supports
Older People, Physical Disability

Inspection report

Read the full inspection report (opens the Care Quality Commission website)

13 inspection reports, latest 6 December 2022. Latest assessment published 27 February 2025; the Care Quality Commission's newer assessments are published on its website rather than as reports.

The rating is the Care Quality Commission's. We show it as published and do not change it.

Who runs it

Ownership type
Organisation
Companies House number
02322360 (opens Companies House)

Getting help from Durham County Council

The council can assess what care someone needs and tell them what help with the cost they may get.

Checked on the council's website, November 2026.

Common questions

Does St Mary's Care Home provide nursing care?
Yes. The Care Quality Commission lists St Mary's Care Home as a care home with nursing.
How many beds does St Mary's Care Home have?
The Care Quality Commission's register lists 54 beds at St Mary's Care Home.
When was St Mary's Care Home last inspected?
The Care Quality Commission's latest rating for St Mary's Care Home was published on 27 February 2025.
Who runs St Mary's Care Home?
St Mary's Care Home is run by Carewell (Health Care) Limited.
What is St Mary's Care Home's CQC rating?
Its overall rating from the Care Quality Commission is Good, published on 27 February 2025.