CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Conquest Lodge
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors were assured that infection risks were being managed. This included visitor checks, testing, PPE, cleaning, social distancing and an up-to-date infection control policy.
- Effective?
- Good
- This area was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
- Caring?
- Good
- This area was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
- Responsive?
- Good
- This area was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
- Well-led?
- Good
- This area was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
What inspectors found, April 2021
Conquest Lodge was inspected but not rated; inspectors were assured about its COVID-19 infection control measures.
This was a targeted inspection on 7 April 2021. Inspectors looked at infection prevention and control because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The home was taking part in national care home testing. People and staff had received vaccinations, and risk assessments were in place. Visitors had to book, follow safety procedures and, where needed, take a rapid test.
Inspectors were assured that the home used personal protective equipment safely, followed testing and social distancing guidance, and had an up-to-date infection control policy. The home was visibly clean, with extra cleaning of frequently touched and communal areas.
The service was inspected but not rated. This means the visit did not provide a full rating of the home's overall quality or of all five areas of care.
Infection control training
Staff had training in infection control, PPE and hand washing. Their practice was checked, and infection control audits were completed.
“All staff received training on infection control, the correct use and disposal of PPE and good hand washing techniques.” from the report
Clean environment
The home was visibly clean and uncluttered. Cleaning had been increased for frequently touched areas and communal spaces.
“Cleaning schedules had been changed to incorporate sanitising frequently touched areas.” from the report
Testing and vaccination
The home took part in the national care home testing programme, and people and staff had received vaccinations.
“The service took part in the national COVID-19 testing programme for care homes.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How are visitors currently booked, screened and tested before entering the home?
- 02How often are staff and people tested for infections now?
- 03How do you check that staff continue to use PPE and wash their hands correctly?
- 04How often are frequently touched areas and communal areas cleaned?
- 05When was the infection prevention and control policy last reviewed?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control measures only; the service was inspected but not rated and the other areas of care were not assessed. This explanation was written from the published report of 30 April 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, February 2020
Rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and personalised care, with enough staff on the inspection day.
The inspection was unannounced and took place on 04 February 2020. One inspector observed care, spoke with five people living there, the management team and five care staff, and reviewed care, medicines and management records.
The home was rated Good in all five areas: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. Inspectors found people were happy, felt safe and were supported to make choices, build independence and take part in their local community.
The home had systems for managing risks, medicines, safeguarding, infection control and incidents. Staff were described as kind, well trained and knowledgeable about people's needs. The home was recruiting four care staff to reduce its use of agency staff, although there were enough staff on the inspection day.
The overall rating was unchanged from the previous Good rating, published on 04 August 2017. The home is also registered to provide personal care in the community, but was not providing that activity when inspected.
People felt safe
People appeared relaxed and comfortable with staff. Staff understood how to recognise possible abuse or distress, including changes in body language.
“People were relaxed and responded positively when they were approached by staff.” from the report
Kind and respectful staff
Staff were caring and knew people's likes, dislikes and preferred ways of being supported. People were helped to maintain their privacy, dignity and relationships.
“Staff were caring in their approach towards people.” from the report
Choice and independence
People were supported to make choices and develop new skills. Staff encouraged people to do as much as they could for themselves and supported them in the least restrictive way.
“People's support focused on them having as many opportunities as possible for them to gain new skills and become more independent.” from the report
Activities and community life
People could take part in activities such as bowling, swimming, shopping and visiting cafes. Some attended a day service and people had enjoyed holidays.
“Some people went out to organised activities such as bowling, swimming and visit local shops and cafes.” from the report
Recruitment and agency staff
minorThe home was recruiting four care staff to reduce its use of agency staff. Inspectors found there were enough staff on the inspection day, but families may want to ask about current staffing and continuity.
“They are in the process of recruiting four care staff, which in turn will reduce the use of agency staff.” from the report
Larger than current guidance
minorThe home was larger than current best practice guidance. Inspectors said the building design and local setting reduced the negative impact they might otherwise have expected.
“This is larger than current best practice guidance.” from the report
- 01How many permanent care staff are currently employed, and how much agency cover is being used now?
- 02How would you support my relative to communicate choices if they cannot communicate verbally?
- 03What activities and community outings would be suitable for my relative's interests and abilities?
- 04How would you support my relative to develop independence and new skills?
- 05How would you involve my relative and our family in reviewing their care and raising concerns?
This was an unannounced planned inspection covering the care and premises and all five CQC questions; the community personal care activity was not being provided at the time. This explanation was written from the published report of 18 February 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 Conquest Lodge
3 rated inspections over 4 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- April 2021Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- February 2020Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- August 2017Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- September 2015GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- July 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- September 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- October 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- July 2011
Report published without a new overall rating.
- November 2010
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 30 November 2010.
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.
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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.