CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at The Conifers
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors were assured about infection prevention, testing, protective equipment, cleaning, visiting arrangements and vaccination checks. They were also told that measures were in place to manage COVID-19-related staffing pressures.
- Effective?
- Good
- This area was not assessed or rated in this targeted inspection.
- Caring?
- Good
- This area was not assessed or rated in this targeted inspection.
- Responsive?
- Good
- This area was not assessed or rated in this targeted inspection.
- Well-led?
- Good
- This area was not assessed or rated in this targeted inspection.
What inspectors found, March 2022
Inspected but not rated; inspectors found strong infection control and thoughtful support during the COVID-19 pandemic.
This was a targeted inspection on 19 January 2022. Inspectors looked at infection prevention and control, including visiting arrangements, cleaning, protective equipment, testing and vaccination. They also asked about staffing pressures.
The inspectors were assured that the home was preventing infections, using protective equipment safely, supporting testing and managing visits. They found the home clean, tidy and well maintained, with extra cleaning of frequently touched areas and good ventilation.
The team understood the extra difficulties the pandemic caused for people with learning disabilities. Inspectors found that reasonable and safe adjustments were made, and that mental capacity law was followed when people could not consent to tests or vaccinations.
The service was inspected but not rated. This report does not provide a full rating of the quality of care across all five areas.
Visitor safety checks
Visitors had their vaccination status and lateral flow test results checked. Staff could help visitors complete tests when needed.
“The provider required visitors to have a negative LFT before entry, and staff were available and trained to support visitors to complete LFT where needed.” from the report
Clean environment
The home was clean, tidy and well maintained. Cleaning included frequently touched areas, and windows were opened where possible for ventilation.
“The service was very clean, tidy, and well maintained.” from the report
Support during the pandemic
The team recognised the particular difficulties the pandemic caused for people and made reasonable, safe adjustments to support them.
“They recognised the particular difficulties they faced and did all they could to make reasonable and safe adjustments to support people and meet their needs.” from the report
Mental capacity processes
When people could not consent to COVID-19 tests or vaccinations, the provider followed the Mental Capacity Act 2005.
“Where people had been unable to consent to COVID-19 tests or vaccinations, the provider had ensured the Mental Capacity Act 2005 had been followed.” from the report
Further development suggested
minorInspectors signposted the provider to resources to develop its approach. The report does not explain what needed development.
“We have also signposted the provider to resources to develop their approach.” from the report
- 01How are you currently managing staffing pressures linked to COVID-19 or other absences?
- 02How do you check visitors' vaccination status and lateral flow test results now?
- 03How do you support people who cannot consent to tests or vaccinations?
- 04What changes were made after inspectors signposted resources to develop the infection control approach?
- 05What recent assessment can you show us of care quality in the areas this inspection did not cover?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control, with questions about staffing pressures; the other four key questions were not assessed or rated. This explanation was written from the published report of 16 March 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
The Conifers was rated Good overall; inspectors found safe, caring and well-organised support, with a medicine issue dealt with during the visit.
This was an unannounced inspection on 2 October 2019. One inspector reviewed information held by the regulator, spoke with seven people and nine staff, and checked care records, medicines, recruitment files, training, rotas and quality checks.
All five areas were rated Good: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. People said they felt comfortable and well cared for. Staff knew people well, supported their choices and helped them stay independent, access healthcare and keep in touch with relatives.
The inspectors found one person's eye ointment was past its use-by date. Managers acted immediately and investigated it. A faulty bathroom lock was also repaired promptly. The home had been rated Good overall at the previous inspection, published on 5 April 2017.
Personalised support
Care plans gave staff clear information about people's needs, preferences and life histories. Inspectors found that staff provided support in line with these plans.
“Person-centred care plans were in place, to provide information for staff about how to support people.” from the report
Choice and independence
People were involved in decisions and supported to do as much as possible for themselves. Some people were working towards more independent living.
“People's independence was promoted. Staff tailored their support according to people needs, enabling them to do as much for themselves as possible.” from the report
Kind and respectful care
People appeared comfortable with staff, who knew them well and treated them with respect. Their privacy and dignity were supported.
“Many staff had worked at the home for a long time and demonstrated good knowledge of people.” from the report
Health support
People had annual health checks, dental appointments and sight tests. Staff helped people access health and social care services when needed.
“People had an annual health check, regular dental appointments and sight tests.” from the report
Positive management
The management team used audits, meetings and feedback to monitor the service and make improvements. Staff said they felt supported and described good teamwork.
“Management systems and records were well maintained and organised.” from the report
Out-of-date medicine
seriousOne person's eye ointment had gone past its use-by date. Managers acted immediately and investigated, but families should ask how medicines are checked routinely.
“The deputy manager took immediate responsive action when it was identified during the inspection that one person's eye ointment had gone past its 'use by' date.” from the report
Bathroom privacy repair
minorOne bathroom lock was faulty. It was reported during the inspection and repaired promptly.
“The lock on one bathroom door was faulty, which we brought to the assistant manager's attention.” from the report
Limited activity that day
minorThere was little structured activity taking place on the day inspectors visited. Managers gave examples of activities people took part in at other times.
“There was limited structured activity taking place on the day of our inspection” from the report
- 01How do you check that medicines, including creams and eye ointments, are within their use-by dates?
- 02What structured activities are currently available, and how are they matched to each person's interests?
- 03How do you support people who want to move from the home or its flats towards more independent living?
- 04How are people's communication needs recorded and shared with new staff?
- 05How do people and their relatives raise concerns and receive feedback about what was done?
This was an unannounced scheduled inspection covering all five rating areas, and it looked at both the care provided and the premises. This explanation was written from the published report of 14 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 The Conifers
3 rated inspections over 4 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- March 2022Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- November 2019Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- April 2017Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- October 2015GoodSafe: Requires improvementEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- October 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- June 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- January 2011
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 18 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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16 live-in carers within about an hour of East Riding of Yorkshire
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 £1,030 to £1,420 a week. 14 can care for a couple. 7 years' experience on average.
“She was always 'just present enough': attentive, available, kind and engaging, but without ever over-stepping any boundary”
“What truly stands out is how mindful and attentive she is to all of my medical needs, always going above and beyond to ensure I’m comfortable and well cared for.”
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.