CQC report explained · a nursing home
What the CQC found at Dunkirk Memorial House
Rated Outstanding: inspectors found the home performing exceptionally well.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors were assured about infection prevention and control, including PPE, testing, hygiene, safe admissions and managing possible outbreaks.
- Effective?
- Outstanding
- This area was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
- Caring?
- Good
- This area was not assessed in this targeted inspection, although inspectors noted that people were supported to keep in touch with family and friends.
- Responsive?
- Outstanding
- This area was not assessed in this targeted inspection, although the home adapted activities and social contact to support people safely.
- Well-led?
- Outstanding
- This area was not assessed in this targeted inspection, although staff said they felt supported, kept up to date and able to discuss concerns.
What inspectors found, March 2021
Inspected but not rated; inspectors found good infection control and support for safe contact with families.
This was an announced, targeted inspection on 9 March 2021. It focused on how the home was preventing and controlling coronavirus infections.
Inspectors were assured that the home used personal protective equipment safely, followed social distancing and shielding rules, supported safe admissions, and provided testing for people and staff.
People were supported to keep in touch with family and friends through calls, video calls, letters, pod visits and face-to-face meetings. Activities and shared meals continued with changes to keep people safe.
The home was inspected but not rated. This means this visit did not give an overall quality rating or a rated judgement for the five areas of care.
Infection control
Inspectors were assured that the home had good arrangements to reduce the risk of infection. These included PPE, testing, hygiene measures and an up-to-date infection control policy.
“Staff were following good infection prevention and control practices which helped to minimise risks to people.” from the report
Family contact
The home provided several ways for people to stay in touch with friends and family, including visits and remote contact.
“People were being supported to safely keep in touch with friends and family in accordance with their needs and wishes.” from the report
Activities and social life
The home made changes so people could continue socialising and taking part in activities within safe boundaries.
“Adjustments had been made to enable people to socialise and take part in activities.” from the report
Staff support
Staff said they received updates, could discuss concerns and felt safe at work. They also described good teamwork and morale.
“Staff worked as a team and all said morale was good.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How are infection prevention, PPE and testing arrangements working now?
- 02How can residents currently keep in touch with family and friends, including face-to-face visits?
- 03How are activities and shared meals arranged safely now?
- 04How are staff kept up to date with current guidance and supported to raise concerns?
- 05When was the home’s last full inspection and what were the ratings for Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control under Safe; the other areas were not rated. This explanation was written from the published report of 27 March 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, January 2019
Rated Outstanding overall; inspectors found kind, personalised care and strong leadership, although some people raised concerns about staffing in one area.
This was an unannounced inspection on 31 October and 1 November 2018. Inspectors spoke with 31 people living at the home, six visitors, 15 staff and three volunteers. They also observed care and mealtimes.
The home remained Outstanding overall. Effective, responsive and well-led care were rated Outstanding. Safe and caring care were rated Good. Inspectors found people were treated with kindness, involved in decisions and supported to follow their own routines.
The home provided nursing and personal care for up to 90 people, including people living with dementia. Inspectors found well-trained staff, detailed care planning, a wide range of activities and strong support for people's health, independence and end-of-life wishes.
Some people and a visitor said there were times when staffing was not sufficient in the personal care and support area. Opinions about food varied, and the manager was working on improvements. These issues did not change the overall Outstanding rating.
Personalised care
People were supported to follow their own routines and make choices about their care and daily lives. Their military backgrounds, religions, cultures and personal preferences were respected.
“People were at the centre of everything at the home and consulted on all changes.” from the report
Dementia support
The Mews was designed around people living with dementia. Its layout, households and activities helped people feel calmer, socialise and move around more independently.
“The Mews was purpose built to meet the needs of people living with dementia.” from the report
Kind and respectful staff
Inspectors saw staff offering reassurance, respecting people's dignity and supporting them at their own pace. Records also showed that staff had improved one person's quality of life.
“Throughout the inspection we saw numerous examples of kindness and compassion.” from the report
Activities and independence
People had many social opportunities, activities and events, as well as access to gardens and adapted spaces. The home was also developing a more personalised approach to social interaction.
“People had access to many social activities and events.” from the report
Strong improvement culture
The provider and managers used projects, surveys, audits and quality plans to improve care. They acted on feedback from people and staff.
“The provider and registered manager constantly looked for ways to improve the service offered to people and enhance their experience.” from the report
Staffing concerns in one area
needs fixingSome people and a visitor said there were not always enough staff in the personal care and support area, and that people sometimes waited for assistance. The manager said they would review job roles and staffing levels there.
“There's not enough staff and they have to work as waitresses as well as care staff.” from the report
Mixed views about food
minorPeople had different opinions about the food. The manager was already surveying people and introducing changes such as more snacks and a larger choice of desserts.
“Opinions about the food served at the home were varied.” from the report
- 01What staffing levels are planned for the personal care and support area, and how will you make sure people do not wait too long for help?
- 02What changes have been made to meals and snacks since the inspection, and how are residents' views being checked now?
- 03How would you support my relative to follow their usual routines and personal preferences?
- 04What activities and social opportunities would suit my relative's interests, health and communication needs?
- 05How would you support my relative if their care needs changed and they needed a different level of support?
This was an unannounced inspection covering all five key questions and the overall quality of the home. This explanation was written from the published report of 3 January 2019 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 Dunkirk Memorial House
2 rated inspections over 3 years: the service has held its Outstanding rating throughout.
- March 2021Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- January 2019Outstandingstayed OutstandingSafe: GoodEffective: OutstandingCaring: GoodResponsive: OutstandingWell-led: Outstanding
- June 2016OutstandingSafe: GoodEffective: OutstandingCaring: GoodResponsive: OutstandingWell-led: Good
- September 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- December 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- May 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- January 2011
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 24 January 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.
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76 live-in carers within about two hours of Somerset
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 £1,370 a week. 62 can care for a couple. 12 years' experience on average.
“She looked after my mum, who can be incredibly challenging, so well and so gently, and we always felt confident that my mum was getting the best care available.”
“She was not phased by anything, she was adaptable, kind & gave us complete confidence to go away & not worry about a thing!”
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.