CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Royal Cambridge Home
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- People were protected from abuse and avoidable harm. Risks, medicines, infection control, equipment and recruitment were managed safely, although inspectors saw that staff deployment could have been better during one incident involving ringing call bells.
- Effective?
- Good
- Staff had relevant training and support, and people received help with food, health appointments and changing health needs. Care was delivered in line with relevant guidance and consent was sought appropriately.
- Caring?
- Good
- Staff were kind, respectful and consistent. People and relatives were involved in care decisions, and staff supported people's privacy, independence, religious needs and relationships.
- Responsive?
- Good
- People received personalised care and had access to activities, outings and the local community. Their communication needs, dietary needs and complaints were taken seriously.
- Well-led?
- Requires improvement
- The management team was approachable and sought feedback, but care records were not always complete, accurate or up to date. Inspectors said this created a risk that people could receive inappropriate care.
What inspectors found, November 2019
Rated Good overall, but well-led Requires Improvement because care records were not always accurate or up to date.
This was an unannounced planned inspection on 19 September 2019. Three inspectors spoke with people living at the home, relatives, staff and a healthcare professional. They also checked care records, medicines, staff files, accidents, meetings, complaints and quality checks.
Inspectors found that people were safe, supported by skilled staff and treated with kindness and respect. Staff understood people's needs and preferences. People had access to healthcare, activities, outings and food suited to their needs. The home was not taking permanent admissions because redevelopment plans were being considered.
The overall rating was Good. Safe, Effective, Caring and Responsive were all rated Good. Well-led was rated Requires Improvement because some care records were incomplete, out of date or did not reflect people's current needs. The provider was recommended to improve its monitoring of care records.
Kind and consistent staff
People received care from staff who knew their needs, interests and preferences. Relatives described a family feel and said staff were respectful.
“People received their care from consistent staff who knew their needs, interests and preferences about their support.” from the report
Safe medicines and risk management
Medicines were managed safely and staff checked that people had taken them before recording this. Risks, equipment, fire safety and infection control were also monitored.
“Medicines were managed safely. There were appropriate arrangements for the ordering, storage and disposal of medicines.” from the report
Good health support
Staff noticed changes in people's health and arranged medical help when needed. They worked effectively with GPs, nurses and other professionals.
“People were supported to maintain good health and to access healthcare services when they needed them.” from the report
Activities and community links
People could take part in activities, events, outings and trips to local shops, cafes and other places. Staff took steps to reduce social isolation.
“People had access to a range of activities, events and outings.” from the report
Staff deployment during call bells
minorInspectors saw two bedroom call bells ringing while other staff were available but did not respond immediately. The manager agreed to review how staff were deployed.
“During the inspection we observed an incident in which staff could have been better deployed to meet people's needs effectively.” from the report
- 01How do you now check that every care plan is complete, accurate and up to date?
- 02What action was taken after the inspection found a missing nutritional care plan and an outdated 15-minute check?
- 03How do you make sure call bells are answered promptly when staff are carrying out other tasks?
- 04How are agency staff introduced to people's individual needs and preferences?
- 05What progress has been made with the proposed redevelopment and how would it affect residents?
This was an unannounced planned inspection covering all five CQC questions; permanent admissions were paused because redevelopment plans were being considered. This explanation was written from the published report of 20 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 Royal Cambridge Home
Each visit the CQC has published, newest first, back to the day the home was registered.
- November 2019Goodcurrent ratingSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Requires improvement
- September 2018
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 25 September 2018.
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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77 live-in carers within about an hour of Surrey
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 £1,250 a week. 66 can care for a couple. 11 years' experience on average.
“Without his support we wouldn't have been able to navigate bringing and keeping Dad at home.”
“Not only has she looked after him beautifully, she has also been great company for him with lively conversation, kindness and humour.”
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.