CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at The Conkers
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors were assured that infection risks were being managed, including visiting, admissions, testing, protective equipment, cleaning and outbreak procedures.
- Effective?
- Good
- This area was not covered by this targeted inspection.
- Caring?
- Good
- This area was not covered by this targeted inspection.
- Responsive?
- Good
- This area was not covered by this targeted inspection.
- Well-led?
- Requires improvement
- This area was not covered by this targeted inspection.
What inspectors found, June 2021
Inspected but not rated; inspectors were assured that infection control measures were in place and working.
This was an announced, targeted inspection on 19 May 2021. Inspectors looked at how the home prevented and controlled COVID-19 infections.
Inspectors were assured that visitors, new admissions, residents and staff were protected by suitable procedures. They also found effective use of protective equipment, testing, cleaning and social distancing.
The home was inspected but not rated. This means the visit 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 infection outbreaks.
“We were assured that the provider was making sure infection outbreaks can be effectively prevented or managed.” from the report
Clean environment
The home was clean and well maintained, with planned cleaning arrangements.
“The service was clean, hygienic and well maintained with robust cleaning schedules in place.” from the report
Visiting arrangements
The home had procedures for visiting and used protective equipment in line with government guidance.
“There were robust procedures in place to support visiting and prevent the spread of COVID-19” from the report
Information for people
People were given pictorial information and easy-read guides about visiting and vaccinations.
“They were helped to feel assured about regimes, such as for visiting and vaccinations, with pictorial information and easy read guides.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01What are the home's current arrangements for visiting and preventing the spread of infections?
- 02How often are residents and staff tested now, and what happens if someone tests positive?
- 03How are people given information about visiting, vaccinations and infection control in a way they can understand?
- 04When was the home's infection prevention and control policy last updated?
- 05Can you show us the current full ratings or reports covering care, activities and management?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control under Safe; the other areas of care were not assessed and the service was not rated. This explanation was written from the published report of 15 June 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 2019
Rated Good overall, but well-led Requires Improvement and medicine records were not always clear.
This was an unannounced, planned inspection on 17 December 2018. Two inspectors visited, spoke with relatives and staff, observed care at lunchtime, and checked care, medicine, recruitment and management records.
The inspectors found safe, kind and personalised care. People had choices, activities and links with their families. Staff were trained, there were enough staff, and people had access to healthcare and suitable food.
The home was rated Good overall. Safe, effective, caring and responsive were all rated Good. Well-led was rated Requires Improvement because formal feedback was not routinely collected and action on a medicines record issue had been delayed.
Kind and respectful care
Inspectors saw relaxed and positive relationships between staff and people. Relatives also described good relationships and confidence in the care.
“We saw staff engage with people whilst providing support and staff chatted in a relaxed and positive manner.” from the report
Choice and activities
People were supported to choose how they spent their time and to take part in activities and community visits.
“People were enabled to follow a variety of interests and activities.” from the report
Staffing and training
Recruitment checks were thorough, staffing levels were sufficient and staff received induction, supervision and appraisal.
“Recruitment practices were of good quality and suitable people were employed.” from the report
Controlled drug records
needs fixingRecords did not make the controlled drug stock balance easy to understand. Inspectors found no evidence of harm, but said poor records increased the likelihood of errors and recommended changes.
“Poor records do however increase the likelihood that errors will occur.” from the report
Formal feedback
needs fixingThe provider did not routinely collect formal feedback from people or families. Staff feedback had not been formally sought since 2016, although an action plan was later provided.
“The provider did not routinely ask for formal feedback to evaluate and improve the service from people who used the service or their family members.” from the report
End of life wishes
minorCare plans contained limited information about people's person-centred end of life wishes. The manager said discussions had started and an end of life policy was being formalised.
“We found care plans contained limited information regarding person centred end of life wishes.” from the report
- 01What changes have you made to controlled drug records, and how do you now check stock balances?
- 02How do you collect and act on formal feedback from families, people who use the home and staff?
- 03What progress has been made with recording each person's end of life wishes?
- 04Has the manager's application to become registered been completed?
- 05How do you make sure staff give people enough interaction and encouragement during meals?
This was an unannounced inspection covering all five key questions, with the premises and care examined; inspectors could not speak verbally with people living in the home and instead observed care and contacted three relatives. This explanation was written from the published report of 23 January 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 Conkers
3 rated inspections over 4 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- June 2021Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- January 2019Goodup from Requires improvementSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Requires improvement
- December 2017Requires improvementdown from GoodSafe: Requires improvementEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Requires improvement
- May 2015GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- May 2013
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 13 May 2013.
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
How to read CQC ratings and reports
What to check when you visit
At least 100 live-in carers within about an hour of Kirklees
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. 86 can care for a couple. 11 years' experience on average.
“Carla has been a god send with the implementation of bringing mum back home from respite care.”
“Primrose is a very kind and compassionate healthcare professional”
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.