CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Hardwick Dene
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
What inspectors found, February 2022
Inspected but not rated; inspectors were assured about infection control, but found a short period of visiting restrictions did not follow government guidance.
This was an announced, targeted inspection on 26 January 2022. Inspectors looked at infection prevention and control, visiting arrangements and whether COVID-19-related staffing pressures affected the home.
Inspectors were assured that the home was using PPE safely, carrying out testing, managing outbreaks and keeping the premises clean. Staff also supported people to stay in touch with family and friends using tablets and phones.
During a COVID-19 outbreak, the home briefly added visiting restrictions that were not in line with government guidance. The decision was risk assessed, essential caregiver and emergency visits continued, and visiting pods had reopened before the inspection.
The home was inspected but not rated. This means the report does not give an overall quality rating or a rated result for the five key questions.
Infection control
Inspectors were assured that the home used PPE correctly and safely. Staff and people took part in regular COVID-19 testing.
“We were assured that the provider was using PPE effectively and safely.” from the report
Contact with families
Staff helped people use tablets and phones to keep in touch with family and friends.
“Staff supported people to use computer tablets and phones to video call and/or communicate with family and friends.” from the report
Cleaning and hygiene
Housekeeping staff cleaned throughout the home regularly to support infection control.
“Housekeeping staff cleaned throughout the home regularly. This was to promote and maintain good infection control practices.” from the report
Temporary visiting restrictions
needs fixingDuring a COVID-19 outbreak, the home introduced extra visiting restrictions for a short period. Inspectors recorded that this was not in line with current government guidance, although the decision was risk assessed and essential and emergency visits continued.
“This decision, that was not in line with current government guidance, was communicated to people's named relatives via an email and people using the service via residents' meetings.” from the report
- 01What are the current visiting arrangements, including visits by essential care givers?
- 02How would the home communicate any future changes or restrictions on visiting?
- 03What arrangements are in place for people to contact family and friends if in-person visits are restricted?
- 04How often are staff and residents tested during a COVID-19 outbreak?
- 05How does the home manage staffing pressures related to COVID-19?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control, visiting arrangements and COVID-19-related staffing pressures; it did not rate the other key questions or the service overall. This explanation was written from the published report of 26 February 2022 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 2021
Inspected but not rated; inspectors found good infection prevention and control measures during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The inspection was unannounced and took place on 9 February 2021. It was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control measures in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
Inspectors found the building clean and free from clutter. They saw staff regularly cleaning high-touch areas. Testing was available for residents, visitors and staff, and personal protective equipment was being used safely.
The home had stopped routine visiting at the time, except in exceptional circumstances such as end-of-life care. People could use phone and video calls to keep in touch with relatives, and communal seating had been spaced out.
The service was inspected but not rated. The Safe question was also inspected but not rated. The report does not give ratings for the other four questions.
Clean environment
The building was clean and uncluttered. Inspectors saw high-touch areas being cleaned regularly.
“The building was clean and free from clutter.” from the report
Testing and protective equipment
Testing was in place for residents, visitors and staff. Inspectors were assured that protective equipment was being used safely.
“Whole home testing for COVID-19 was in place for people, visitors and the staff.” from the report
Keeping in touch
People could use phone and video calls to stay connected with friends and relatives while visiting was restricted.
“Phone calls and video calls were available to people to stay in contact with friends and relatives.” from the report
Social distancing
Furniture in communal areas had been arranged to support social distancing.
“Chairs in communal areas such as the dining room had been spread out to promote social distancing.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01What are the current visiting arrangements, and how are exceptional visits managed?
- 02How often are high-touch areas cleaned, and how is this checked?
- 03How often are residents and staff tested, and what happens after a positive result?
- 04How is personal protective equipment supplied and checked?
- 05How can residents keep in touch with relatives if visiting is restricted?
This was an unannounced targeted inspection of infection prevention and control measures during the coronavirus pandemic; it did not rate the overall service or the other four questions. This explanation was written from the published report of 3 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.
Every inspection of Hardwick Dene
4 rated inspections over 2 years: the service has improved, from Requires improvement to Good.
- February 2022Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- March 2021Inspected but not ratedSafe: Inspected but not rated
- January 2018Goodup from Requires improvementSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- June 2017Requires improvementstayed Requires improvementSafe: Requires improvementWell-led: Requires improvement
- December 2016Requires improvementstayed Requires improvementSafe: Requires improvementEffective: Requires improvementCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Requires improvement
- March 2016Requires improvementSafe: Requires improvementEffective: Requires improvementCaring: Requires improvementResponsive: Requires improvementWell-led: Requires improvement
- January 2015
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 23 January 2015.
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.