CQC report explained · a nursing home
What the CQC found at Kimbolton Lodge
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors were assured about infection prevention, protective equipment, testing, visiting and managing possible outbreaks. The provider also said it had measures to reduce risks from COVID-19-related staffing pressures.
- 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, February 2022
Kimbolton Lodge: targeted inspection found strong infection control arrangements, but the service was not rated.
This was an unannounced, targeted inspection. Inspectors looked at infection prevention and control, visiting arrangements and whether staffing pressures linked to COVID-19 were affecting care.
Inspectors found good practice. Visitors were screened, people and staff were tested regularly, staff had been vaccinated, and protective equipment was available and used. The home was described as clean and well maintained.
The service was inspected but not rated. This means the visit did not give an overall quality rating or full ratings for the five areas of care. The report says the visit took place on 27 January 2022, although one section records the date as 27 January 2021.
Infection prevention
Inspectors were assured that the home had arrangements to prevent and manage infections. These included screening visitors, regular testing and an up-to-date infection control policy.
“We were assured that the provider was making sure infection outbreaks can be effectively prevented or managed.” from the report
Protective equipment
Staff were trained to use protective equipment, and supplies were provided for staff and visitors.
“The care home provided PPE for all visitors to the site, ensuring everyone was protected from the risk of cross contamination.” from the report
Clean environment
The home had daily cleaning schedules and improvements such as new flooring to support cleaning. People said the home was well maintained.
“The care home looked clean and people told us they felt the home was well maintained.” from the report
Maintaining contact
The home supported people to keep in touch with family and friends through visits, telephone calls, video calls and safe outdoor visiting.
“People had been supported to have visitors come to the care home in line with COVID-19 visiting guidance.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01What infection prevention arrangements are currently in place, including testing, protective equipment and cleaning?
- 02How do you manage visits when there is an infection risk or someone needs to isolate?
- 03How do you check that staff and visiting professionals meet the current vaccination or exemption requirements?
- 04What staffing pressures are you experiencing now, and how could these affect people's care?
- 05Why does the report give two different dates for the inspection visit?
This was an unannounced targeted inspection of infection prevention and control, visiting arrangements and COVID-19-related staffing pressures; the service was inspected but not rated and the other areas were not assessed. This explanation was written from the published report of 18 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, November 2019
Kimbolton Lodge: Rated Good; inspectors found kind, safe and person-centred care, with some hospital admission and nursing recruitment issues.
This was an unannounced inspection on 28 October 2019. Inspectors spoke with people, relatives and staff, observed care, and checked care records, staff files and management records.
The home was rated Good in all five areas: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. People said they felt safe and were happy with their care. Inspectors found kind staff, enough staff to meet people's needs, safe medicines support and good infection control.
People were supported to make choices, stay independent, eat well, attend activities and see health professionals. The home had a positive culture, and managers used audits and feedback to improve care. The overall rating was unchanged from the previous Good rating published in May 2017.
Kind and respectful care
Inspectors found that staff knew people well, treated them as individuals and respected their privacy, dignity and choices.
“Staff were kind and compassionate and treated people as individuals, involving them in all aspects of their care.” from the report
Safe care
People felt safe. The home had risk assessments, medicines checks, safeguarding training and good infection control.
“People were supported safely with their medicines and good infection control measures were in place at the service.” from the report
Choice and independence
People were supported to make decisions, do tasks for themselves and take positive risks where this was their choice.
“People's privacy and dignity was respected, and people were encouraged to maintain their independence.” from the report
Open management
People, relatives and staff could give feedback, and managers used it to make changes and improve the service.
“Actions were put in place and completed based on people's feedback.” from the report
Hospital admissions
needs fixingSome people using the home for rehabilitation said their admission from hospital could be better. Managers knew about this and were working with local hospitals.
“Some people who were using the service for rehabilitation told us that the admission to the service from hospital could be improved due to hospital procedures.” from the report
Nursing recruitment
needs fixingThe home was having difficulty recruiting nursing staff. Regular agency staff were being used while a permanent staff member was sought.
“The registered manager spoke to us about some challenges they were having recruiting nursing staff.” from the report
- 01How are nursing shifts covered now, and how often are agency nurses used?
- 02What has changed to improve admissions from hospital for people coming in for rehabilitation?
- 03How will you support my relative's specific health needs and arrange appointments with health professionals?
- 04What activities and one-to-one community opportunities would suit my relative?
- 05How will you involve my relative and our family in care plan reviews and decisions?
This was an unannounced inspection covering all five CQC questions; the previous overall rating was Good in a report published on 4 May 2017. This explanation was written from the published report of 13 November 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 Kimbolton Lodge
5 rated inspections over 5 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- February 2022Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- November 2019Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- May 2017Goodup from Requires improvementSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- November 2016Requires improvementstayed Requires improvementSafe: Requires improvementWell-led: Requires improvement
- September 2016Requires improvementdown from GoodSafe: InadequateEffective: GoodCaring: Requires improvementResponsive: Requires improvementWell-led: Requires improvement
- February 2015GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- September 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- July 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- May 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- June 2011
Report published without a new overall rating.
- January 2011
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 12 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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88 live-in carers within about an hour of Bedford
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 £980 to £1,260 a week. 76 can care for a couple. 12 years' experience on average.
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“She handled the new situation in front of her with such professionalism and I felt I could trust her 100%.”
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.