CQC report explained · a nursing home
What the CQC found at Wymondley Nursing & Residential Care Home
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors were assured about testing, isolation, social distancing, protective equipment, cleaning and infection outbreak arrangements. They were only somewhat assured about preventing visitors from spreading infection because temperature checks were not being carried out consistently.
- Effective?
- Good
- Does the care work? Training, consent, food and drink, working with GPs and nurses.
- Caring?
- Good
- Are people treated with kindness and dignity?
- Responsive?
- Good
- Is care built around the person? Care plans, activities, complaints.
- Well-led?
- Good
- Is the home run well? The manager, the culture, how problems get found and fixed.
What inspectors found, March 2021
Inspected but not rated; inspectors found strong COVID-19 arrangements, but visitor temperature checks were not being done consistently.
This was an unannounced, targeted inspection on 24 February 2021. It looked only at infection prevention and control during the COVID-19 pandemic. The home was supporting 33 people and was registered for up to 59.
Inspectors found up-to-date infection control policies, safe use of protective equipment, testing arrangements and clear processes for people isolating after a positive test, hospital stay or admission. They also found the home was clean and staff understood what was expected.
The inspectors were not fully assured about visitors. Visitors were expected to have their temperature checked, but inspectors were not checked when they arrived. Staff also said temperature checks were not routinely done for staff. The manager said this would start immediately.
The home was inspected but not rated. This means the report does not give an overall rating or a rated score for the five areas of care. It records the findings from this focused infection control inspection only.
Infection control planning
The home had policies, procedures and risk assessments for managing COVID-19. It had dedicated areas for testing, staff facilities and putting on and removing protective equipment.
“The provider had developed policies, procedures and risks assessments for managing the service in relation to COVID-19.” from the report
Protective equipment and staff training
Staff had training in protective equipment, infection control and COVID-19. Inspectors saw staff using protective equipment safely, and staff said they felt supported and had enough information.
“Staff had received training on donning and doffing personal protective equipment (PPE), infection control and COVID-19.” from the report
Clean and safer environment
The home was clean, with cleaning taking place during the visit. People were socially distanced in communal areas without this affecting their comfort.
“The home was clean and there was cleaning ongoing during our visit.” from the report
Processes for isolation
The home had clear arrangements for people who tested positive, returned from hospital or were newly admitted. Staff understood isolation requirements and COVID-19 symptoms.
“People returning from hospital or those new to the home had to isolate for 14 days.” from the report
Temperature checks
needs fixingVisitors were expected to have their temperature checked, but this did not happen when inspectors arrived. Staff also said they were not routinely checked, although the manager said this would start immediately.
“However, they did not take our temperature when we arrived at the service and staff told us that while they did have daily testing, they did not routinely have their temperature checked.” from the report
- 01Are visitors and staff now having their temperatures checked routinely, and how is this recorded?
- 02What testing is available for people living in the home, staff and visitors?
- 03How do you manage isolation for people who test positive, return from hospital or are newly admitted?
- 04What arrangements are in place for visits, and how does the separate visitors centre operate?
- 05How do you make sure staff continue to use protective equipment safely?
This was an unannounced targeted inspection of infection prevention and control practices during the COVID-19 pandemic; the service was inspected but not rated and other care areas were not assessed in detail. This explanation was written from the published report of 17 March 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 Good; inspectors found kind, safe care, but some moving and handling practices and activities needed improvement.
This was an unannounced inspection on 16 December 2019. Inspectors spoke with people, relatives, staff and managers. They observed care and checked care plans, medicines records, recruitment files and management records.
The home was rated Good in all five areas: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. People and relatives were generally happy with the care. Staff were described as friendly, attentive, trained and supported.
Inspectors found that people felt safe, received their medicines as prescribed, had suitable food and healthcare support, and were treated with kindness and respect. Care plans reflected people's needs and choices, and complaints were handled appropriately.
Some moving and handling practices needed to improve. People had mixed views about activities, and newer one-to-one activities were not yet fully established. The home remained Good, the same overall rating as at the previous inspection in 2017.
Kind and respectful care
Inspectors saw staff being attentive, reassuring and respectful. People had positive relationships with staff who knew them well.
“Staff engaged with people frequently and spent time with them chatting and laughing.” from the report
Good support and training
People's needs were assessed, staff received relevant training and people received support with eating, drinking and healthcare.
“Staff had received training in subjects relevant to their role and they told us they felt equipped to carry out their role.” from the report
Open management
The management team was approachable and used audits, meetings and action plans to improve the service. People, relatives and staff were positive about changes after the new provider took over.
“There was an open culture in the home and an expectation that people were supported in a person-centred way.” from the report
Moving and handling practice
needs fixingInspectors saw some moving and handling practices that needed improvement. These included fitting slings correctly, using wheelchair footplates safely, and reviewing some bruises and skin tears.
“However, some moving and handling practices needed to be improved.” from the report
- 01What training and checks have been completed since the inspection to make sure slings are fitted correctly?
- 02How do you make sure wheelchair footplates and other moving and handling equipment are used safely?
- 03What activities are now available in the mornings and for people who prefer one-to-one support?
- 04How do you use residents' suggestions to plan and improve activities?
- 05How are injuries such as bruises and skin tears reviewed for possible moving and handling issues?
This was an unannounced planned inspection covering all five CQC questions: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. This explanation was written from the published report of 17 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 Wymondley Nursing & Residential Care Home
3 rated inspections over 4 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- March 2021Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
Read what inspectors found at Wymondley Nursing & Residential Care Home →
- January 2020Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
Read what inspectors found at Wymondley Nursing & Residential Care Home →
- June 2017Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- October 2015GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- April 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- December 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- March 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- January 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- January 2011
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 25 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.
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 Hertfordshire
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 £1,300 a week. 82 can care for a couple. 12 years' experience on average.
“She handled the new situation in front of her with such professionalism and I felt I could trust her 100%.”
“She was v competent and confident and we felt our mum was safe in her care. She supported us through a difficult time.”
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.