CQC report explained · a nursing home
What the CQC found at Symonds House
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
What inspectors found, February 2021
Inspected but not rated; inspectors were assured about infection prevention and control measures.
The inspection took place on 8 February 2021 and was announced. It was a targeted inspection during the coronavirus pandemic, focused on infection prevention and control.
Inspectors were assured that visitors were managed safely, people could socially distance or isolate when needed, and new admissions were handled safely. They also found enough protective equipment, regular COVID-19 testing and increased cleaning of frequently touched surfaces.
The home had COVID-19 policies and plans. Staff and the manager were supported during the pandemic, including when extra staff were needed.
The service was inspected but not rated. This report does not give an overall quality rating or a full set of ratings for the five questions.
Visitor infection controls
Visits were scheduled, visitor access was limited and visitors were escorted where needed.
“Staff made sure that people were protected against the transmission of infection from visitors by scheduling visits, limiting areas that visitors could access and being available to escort visitors.” from the report
Protective equipment
The home had enough masks, gloves and aprons. Staff also helped people understand why protective equipment was needed.
“Staff had enough personal protective equipment, such as masks, gloves and aprons, and had supported people so that they also understood the need for this.” from the report
Testing and cleaning
People and staff received regular COVID-19 testing. The home increased cleaning of frequently touched surfaces.
“Regular COVID-19 testing was carried out to make sure people and staff were safe.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How are visits currently scheduled, and which areas can visitors access?
- 02How often are people living here and staff tested for infections now?
- 03What protective equipment is available, and how is it used safely?
- 04What happens if someone needs to isolate or if there is an infection outbreak?
- 05When were the infection prevention and control policies last reviewed?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control during the coronavirus pandemic; the service was inspected but not rated and the other care questions were not assessed. This explanation was written from the published report of 27 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, November 2017
Symonds House is rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and responsive care, but noted mixed views about staffing.
This was an unannounced, comprehensive inspection on 19 October 2017. Inspectors observed care, spoke with people, visitors and staff, and checked care records, medicines records, recruitment, training and safety records.
The home was rated Good in all five areas: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. Inspectors found staff understood safeguarding, managed risks and medicines safely, and supported people with food, drink and healthcare.
Inspectors saw kind and respectful care. People had choices, activities and help suited to their needs. The home remained Good, the same rating as at the October 2015 inspection.
Kind and respectful care
Inspectors saw staff speaking thoughtfully to people and adapting their approach when someone was distressed. People were given choices and treated with dignity.
“Staff were caring, kind and treated people with respect.” from the report
Food and healthcare
People could choose meals and were supported to eat and drink. Staff monitored people at risk of poor intake and involved health professionals when needed.
“People received a choice of meals, which they liked, and staff supported them to eat and drink.” from the report
Activities and social contact
People had a range of activities and could choose how to spend their time. Staff were present in communal areas to support participation.
“There was a variety of activities for people to do and take part in during the day, and people had enough social stimulation.” from the report
Management checks
The management team used audits, incident reviews and feedback from people, relatives and staff to monitor the home and act on issues.
“The provider's monitoring process looked at systems throughout the home, identified issues and staff took the appropriate action to resolve these.” from the report
Staffing at busy times
needs fixingPeople and visitors gave mixed views about whether there were enough staff, particularly in the morning and at night. Inspectors saw enough staff during their visit and found call bells were answered promptly.
“There are not enough staff first thing in the morning and at night.” from the report
Training for new staff
needs fixingNew staff did not always receive training before working with people. The manager assessed their needs and inspectors found staff were providing care appropriately during the visit.
“We saw that new staff did not always receive training before they started working with people.” from the report
Detail in some care plans
needs fixingPlans for some individual needs, including diabetes and oxygen use, were not detailed enough for new or inexperienced staff. Existing staff understood these needs.
“Plans for the care of more individual needs, such as diabetes or the use of oxygen, were not written in as much detail.” from the report
Gaps in daily records
needs fixingOne visitor was concerned that their relative's care records were not always complete. The manager was asked to investigate this.
“there were gaps where no care had been recorded.” from the report
- 01How do you make sure there are enough staff first thing in the morning and at night?
- 02Do new staff receive the training they need before they start working with residents?
- 03How detailed are care plans for residents with diabetes or who use oxygen?
- 04How do you check that daily care records are complete and that gaps are followed up?
- 05What action has been taken in response to the mixed views about staffing levels?
This was a comprehensive inspection covering all five key questions, and all five ratings remained Good. This explanation was written from the published report of 4 November 2017 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 Symonds House
3 rated inspections over 2 years: the service has improved, from Inadequate to Good.
- February 2021Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- November 2017Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- November 2015Goodup from InadequateSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- June 2015InadequateSafe: Requires improvementEffective: Requires improvementCaring: InadequateResponsive: Requires improvementWell-led: Inadequate
- August 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- June 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- December 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- September 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- May 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- August 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- September 2011
Report published without a new overall rating.
- July 2011
Report published without a new overall rating.
- February 2011
Report published without a new overall rating.
- January 2011
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 20 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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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.