CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Queens Court
Rated Outstanding: inspectors found the home performing exceptionally well.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors were assured about infection prevention and control, including PPE, testing, cleaning, social distancing and managing outbreaks.
- Effective?
- Good
- This area was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
- Caring?
- Outstanding
- This area was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
- Responsive?
- Outstanding
- 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 2021
Inspected but not rated; inspectors were assured that infection risks were being managed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
This was an unannounced, targeted inspection on 26 January 2021. It checked the home's infection prevention and control arrangements during the coronavirus pandemic.
Inspectors were assured about visitors, testing, personal protective equipment, shielding, social distancing, cleaning, admissions and the management of infection outbreaks. Staff did not mix between flats, and people with COVID-19 were supported using full protective equipment.
The home was inspected but not rated. This means the inspection did not give an overall quality rating or assess all five areas of care.
Infection control
Inspectors were assured that the home had measures to prevent and manage infections, including COVID-19 outbreaks.
“We were assured that the provider was making sure infection outbreaks can be effectively prevented or managed.” from the report
Protective equipment
Staff had training in using protective equipment, and inspectors found that it was being used safely.
“We were assured that the provider was using PPE effectively and safely.” from the report
Visitor safety
Essential visitors were tested, checked for symptoms and required to wear protective equipment before entering.
“Visitors also had their temperature taken, completed a health questionnaire and wore full personal protective equipment (PPE).” from the report
Family contact
People were supported to stay in contact with family and friends through window visits, video calls and telephone calls.
“People were supported to have regular contact with their families and friends via window visits, video calling and telephone calls.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01What are the home's current infection control arrangements, and how have they changed since the inspection on 26 January 2021?
- 02How does the home currently support visits and contact with family and friends?
- 03Are staff still kept from mixing between flats, and how is this managed in practice?
- 04What are the home's current ratings for Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led?
- 05Have there been any later inspections or changes to the home's ratings since this report?
This was an unannounced, targeted inspection of infection prevention and control during the COVID-19 pandemic; the service was inspected but not rated and the other care areas were not assessed. This explanation was written from the published report of 23 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, January 2020
Rated Outstanding; inspectors found exceptionally caring, personalised support, with safe, effective and well-led care.
This was an unannounced inspection by one inspector, one assistant inspector and an Expert by Experience. They spoke with 11 people, nine relatives and nine staff. They also reviewed care records, medication records and management documents.
The home was rated Outstanding overall. Caring and Responsive were Outstanding. Safe, Effective and Well-led were Good. Inspectors found that people were safe, received their medicines, had suitable staffing and were supported to maintain their health.
Inspectors found that staff knew people very well and provided care around their individual lives, choices and preferences. They also praised activities, links with the community and the support given at the end of people's lives.
The previous overall rating was Good. Caring stayed Outstanding, while Responsive improved from Good to Outstanding. Safe, Effective and Well-led stayed Good.
Personalised care
Staff knew people's histories, likes and dislikes and used this knowledge to support their wellbeing and independence.
“Staff clearly knew people very well and were able to tell us about individuals and their lives and families.” from the report
Kind and respectful staff
People and relatives described staff as kind, respectful and willing to do extra things that made people feel valued.
“People and their relatives told us that staff treated them with the utmost respect and gave them the level of support they wanted.” from the report
Activities and community links
People could join group or individual activities, go on trips and take part in community and intergenerational events.
“The staff team considered what people could do and made their dreams and possibilities become a reality.” from the report
End of life care
Healthcare professionals and relatives strongly praised the home's end of life support, including comfort, communication and familiar staff.
“For end of life care I don't think you will find a better example than what you get here.” from the report
Safe medicines
Inspectors found medicines were ordered, supplied and administered safely, with staff training and regular checks.
“Medicines administration records indicated people received their medicines regularly.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How do you make sure staff continue to know my relative's history, preferences and communication needs?
- 02What activities and outings would be available for my relative based on their interests and abilities?
- 03How would you support my relative if their health worsened or they needed nursing care?
- 04How are medicines checked and how are families told about any changes or errors?
- 05How will my relative and our family be involved in care reviews and decisions if they cannot make a particular decision themselves?
This was an unannounced inspection of the whole care home, including the premises and care provided, and it considered all five CQC questions. This explanation was written from the published report of 31 January 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 Queens Court
3 rated inspections over 4 years: the service has improved, from Requires improvement to Outstanding.
- February 2021Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- January 2020Outstandingup from GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: OutstandingResponsive: OutstandingWell-led: Good
- June 2017Goodup from Requires improvementSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: OutstandingResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- April 2016Requires improvementSafe: GoodEffective: Requires improvementCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Requires improvement
- December 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.
- December 2010
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 22 December 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.
Weigh the report against the rest
Fees, photos and reviews from families
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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.