CQC report explained · a nursing home
What the CQC found at Cottenham Court Care Home
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors were assured that infection prevention and control arrangements were in place, including visitor checks, PPE, testing, hygiene, ventilation and outbreak planning.
- Effective?
- Good
- This question was not covered by this targeted inspection.
- Caring?
- Good
- This question was not covered by this targeted inspection.
- Responsive?
- Good
- This question was not covered by this targeted inspection.
- Well-led?
- Good
- This question was not covered by this targeted inspection.
What inspectors found, February 2021
Inspected but not rated; inspectors were assured about the home's infection prevention and control arrangements during the COVID-19 pandemic.
This was an announced, targeted inspection on 4 February 2021. It checked how the home was preventing and controlling infections during the coronavirus pandemic.
Inspectors were assured that visitors were screened, tested where required and given protective equipment. They also found measures for hand hygiene, cleaning, ventilation, social distancing and infection outbreak management.
The inspection did not give an overall quality rating or a separate rating for safety. It was a focused check of infection prevention and control, not a full inspection of all aspects of care.
Safer visiting
The home had a separate visiting area with a clear screen, sound system and call bell. Visits were by appointment and visitors were tested and offered PPE.
“There was a purpose-built visiting area in place with a clear screen and sound system with call bell to separate visitors from people.” from the report
Entry checks
Visitors had to wait to enter, sign in, clean their hands and have their temperature checked. They also had to complete a COVID-19 health declaration.
“On arrival into the building, external visitors including a health or social care visitor must wait to enter.” from the report
Communication with families
People and their named relatives received letters about COVID-19 restrictions, updates and vaccinations. Phone and video calls were also available.
“People at the home and their named relative were communicated to re COVID-19 restrictions and updates including vaccinations via a letter.” from the report
Premises and hygiene
Inspectors found hand sanitiser and PPE stations around the home. Furniture was spread out, communal areas were uncluttered and windows were open for ventilation.
“Communal furniture had been spread out to promote social distancing.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01What are the current arrangements for visiting, including appointments, testing, PPE and the visiting area?
- 02How do you currently tell residents and relatives about infection restrictions and vaccination updates?
- 03How often are infection prevention procedures, including handwashing and PPE use, checked?
- 04How are new admissions tested and supported safely?
- 05How do the infection control champions support staff and respond to any outbreak?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control during the COVID-19 pandemic; it did not rate the service overall or cover the other four key questions. This explanation was written from the published report of 20 February 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, December 2017
Rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and personalised care, with some mixed views about waiting for staff.
Inspectors visited the home without warning on 7 November 2017. They observed care, spoke with 16 people, 10 visitors or relatives and staff, and checked care records, medicines, recruitment files and quality checks.
The home was rated Good in all five areas: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. Inspectors found enough staff during their visit, safe medicines arrangements, suitable training, kind care and detailed care plans.
People received food and drink suited to their needs. They were supported with activities, healthcare, everyday choices and end-of-life wishes. The home had systems for handling complaints, learning from incidents and checking the quality of care.
The overall Good rating remained unchanged from the previous inspection in December 2015. A Good rating means the inspection found the service met the required standard in the areas checked, but it does not mean that every experience will be perfect.
Kind and respectful care
Inspectors saw staff support people patiently and respectfully. Staff asked for consent, protected privacy and encouraged independence.
“Staff were seen to support people with kindness and patience.” from the report
Safe medicines and risk management
Medicines were stored and given by trained staff, with accurate stocks and regular checks. Risks were reviewed when people's needs changed.
“People's medicines were managed safely.” from the report
Personalised care plans
Care plans recorded people's preferences, needs and end-of-life wishes. Staff said the plans helped them provide individual care.
“People's care plans were well-organised and provided staff with detailed information on how to respond to each person's individual needs and preferences.” from the report
Open management and improvement
The manager was visible and staff felt listened to. Surveys, meetings and regular audits were used to identify and act on improvements.
“There was an effective quality assurance system in place to ensure that where needed improvements were made.” from the report
Some delays in answering call bells
minorAlthough inspectors found enough staff during the visit and saw call bells answered promptly, some people reported waiting at times. This is worth checking, especially if your relative needs urgent or frequent help.
“You may have to wait a bit; sometimes 15 to 30 minutes depending on what they have to do.” from the report
- 01How quickly are call bells usually answered, including at night and during busy periods?
- 02How do you adjust staffing when a person's care or nursing needs increase?
- 03How are care plans reviewed with residents and their families when needs or preferences change?
- 04What activities are available for someone with dementia, and how would you adapt them to their interests?
- 05How will you keep families informed about changes in health, incidents or professional appointments?
This was an unannounced inspection of the home covering the premises and care, with all five CQC question areas rated. This explanation was written from the published report of 1 December 2017 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 Cottenham Court Care Home
2 rated inspections over 2 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- February 2021Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- December 2017Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- January 2016GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- June 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- August 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- April 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- October 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- April 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- November 2010
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 25 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.