CQC report explained · a nursing home
What the CQC found at Askham Hall
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
What inspectors found, January 2021
Askham Hall was not rated; inspectors found mostly assured infection controls, but visitor screening was not observed.
This was an unannounced targeted inspection on 15 December 2020. It looked only at infection prevention and control because of the COVID-19 outbreak response.
Inspectors found that the home was meeting shielding and social distancing rules, admitting people safely, using protective equipment properly, and accessing testing. They were also assured about cleaning, hygiene, managing outbreaks and the infection control policy.
There was one shortfall. The inspector did not see visitors having their temperature taken or being asked about their health, although the home said it had a policy for this. The provider was directed to resources to improve its approach.
The home was inspected but not rated. This report does not provide a full overall quality rating or ratings for all five areas of care.
Protective equipment and training
Staff were following protective equipment requirements and had training in infection control, putting on and taking off protective equipment, and handwashing.
“Staff followed the requirements in the use of PPE and had received training in infection control, taking off and putting on of their personal protective equipment and handwashing.” from the report
Clean environment
The home was clean and hygienic. Cleaning had been increased, with frequent cleaning during the day.
“The service was clean and hygienic. Cleaning schedules had been reviewed and enhanced and frequent cleaning was carried out throughout the day.” from the report
Safe exceptional visiting
Relatives were supported to visit safely in exceptional circumstances, such as when someone was approaching the end of their life. Visitors wore full protective equipment.
“Relatives had also been supported to safely visit their loved ones in exceptional circumstances in line with the national guidance.” from the report
Testing and outbreak planning
Inspectors were assured that the home was accessing testing for residents and staff and had measures to prevent or manage infection outbreaks.
“We were assured that the provider was making sure infection outbreaks can be effectively prevented or managed.” from the report
Visitor screening was not observed
needs fixingThe home said it had a policy for taking visitors' temperatures and asking about their health, but the inspector did not see this happening during the visit. The provider was signposted to resources to improve its approach.
“We were somewhat assured that the provider was preventing visitors from catching and spreading infections.” from the report
- 01How are visitors' temperatures and health questions checked now, and how is this recorded?
- 02What changes were made after inspectors said visitor infection controls needed development?
- 03How often are cleaning schedules reviewed and enhanced?
- 04How are residents and staff tested for COVID-19, and what happens when someone tests positive?
- 05What infection control training do staff receive and when is it refreshed?
This was an unannounced targeted inspection of infection prevention and control only; the service was inspected but not rated and wider areas of care were not assessed. This explanation was written from the published report of 15 January 2021 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
Askham Hall was rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and personalised care, with minor improvements needed to help people find their way around.
This was an unannounced inspection on 18 February 2020. One inspector spoke with people living in the home, relatives and staff. They observed care and reviewed care records, risk records and management audits.
The home was rated Good in all five areas: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. Inspectors found enough staff, safe medicines arrangements, suitable training and good links with health professionals.
People and relatives spoke positively about the care. Staff knew people well, respected their choices and supported activities, relationships and end-of-life wishes. The home had improved its Safe rating from Requires Improvement at the previous inspection, while the other ratings remained Good.
Safe medicines
Medicines records were accurate and storage was appropriate. Staff had medicines training and regular competency checks.
“Staff kept accurate records of all medicines ordered, administered and disposed of.” from the report
Kind, respectful care
Inspectors saw kind and patient interactions. Staff gave people time to make choices and respected their privacy and dignity.
“Staff were seen to be kind and compassionate towards the people they supported during the inspection.” from the report
Personalised support
Care records included people's likes and dislikes, and staff knew the people they supported well.
“People's care records continued to be personalised and gave staff guidance on people's likes and dislikes” from the report
Activities and relationships
People could take part in activities, community visits and religious services. Staff also supported relationships with relatives and friends.
“People told us they enjoyed lots of activities at Askham Hall.” from the report
Open management
The home used audits, meetings and feedback to monitor care and make improvements. Relatives and people could raise suggestions or concerns.
“There was an open culture within the service, where people and staff could approach the registered manager who acted on concerns raised” from the report
Dementia-friendly design
minorInspectors found few areas of interest for people living with dementia who liked to move around. They also said there was not enough visual contrast and that signage could be better for orientation.
“There was no contrast between areas especially in the communal areas and the corridors.” from the report
- 01What changes have been made, or are planned, to improve signage and visual contrast for people living with dementia?
- 02How do you decide staffing levels when a person's care and support needs change?
- 03How often are medicines competencies and medicines audits completed, and what happens if a problem is found?
- 04How will you support my relative to choose activities that match their interests and communication needs?
- 05How are end-of-life wishes discussed, recorded and reviewed after someone moves into the home?
This was an unannounced planned inspection covering all five key questions, including both the premises and the care provided; the previous overall rating was Good, with Safe previously rated Requires Improvement. This explanation was written from the published report of 26 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 Askham Hall
3 rated inspections over 5 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- January 2021Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- March 2020Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- August 2017Goodstayed GoodSafe: Requires improvementEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- March 2015GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: Requires improvementWell-led: Good
- May 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- September 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- May 2011
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 6 May 2011.
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.
Weigh the report against the rest
Fees, photos and reviews from families
How to read CQC ratings and reports
What to check when you visit
17 live-in carers within about an hour of Cambridgeshire
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 £1,020 to £1,200 a week. 14 can care for a couple. 12 years' experience on average.
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.