CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Yew Tree Cottage
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors were assured that infection risks were being managed. This included visitor checks, PPE, testing, cleaning, social distancing, safe admissions and arrangements for possible outbreaks.
- 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?
- Outstanding
- 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 were assured that infection prevention and control measures were in place.
This was an announced, targeted inspection on 11 February 2021. It looked at infection prevention and control during the coronavirus pandemic.
Inspectors were assured that visitors were screened, PPE was used safely, testing was available and people were admitted safely. They were also assured that cleaning, social distancing and outbreak arrangements were suitable.
People were supported to keep in touch with family and friends by video calls, telephone calls and a window visit. The home had increased cleaning of frequently touched surfaces and had enough cleaning supplies.
The service was inspected but not rated. This visit did not give an overall quality rating or a rated result for the five questions.
Visitor precautions
Visitors had their temperature checked, completed a health questionnaire and wore PPE.
“Visitors had their temperature taken, completed a health questionnaire and wore personal protective equipment (PPE).” from the report
PPE and testing
The home had enough PPE and staff had been trained in using it. Regular testing was carried out for people living there and staff.
“All staff had received training in the correct use of PPE, and how to take it off and put it on safely.” from the report
Contact with families
People were supported to keep in touch with family and friends through video calls and telephone calls. One person also had a window visit.
“People were supported to have regular contact with their families and friends via video calling and telephone calls.” from the report
Cleaning arrangements
Cleaning had increased, including cleaning frequently touched surfaces, and there were enough cleaning supplies.
“Cleaning of the home, including frequently touched surfaces, had increased to reduce the risk of transmission of infection.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How often are people living in the home and staff tested now?
- 02What happens if someone has symptoms of COVID-19, including how quickly they are tested and isolated?
- 03How are visitors currently screened and supported to use PPE safely?
- 04How often are frequently touched surfaces cleaned, and how is this checked?
- 05How are people supported to keep in contact with their families if in-person visits are restricted?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control only; the service was inspected but not rated and the report does not assess the other areas of care. This explanation was written from the published report of 12 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, April 2020
Rated Good, with Outstanding responsiveness; inspectors found safe, kind and highly personalised care.
This was a planned inspection of the home. One inspector visited on 03 February 2020, spoke with five people and five staff, and reviewed care, medicines, recruitment and management records.
The home was rated Good overall and was rated Good for Safe, Effective, Caring and Well-led. People told inspectors they felt safe and staff knew their needs, preferences and goals well.
The Responsive rating was Outstanding. Inspectors found that support was strongly personalised and helped people build confidence, take part in work and activities, maintain relationships and move towards greater independence.
The home was rated Good at the previous inspection in August 2017. That rating remained the same overall, while Responsive improved from Good to Outstanding.
Highly personalised support
Inspectors found that care was built around each person's needs, preferences and goals. Staff used their detailed knowledge to help people achieve positive changes in their lives.
“People received care and support truly centred around their individual needs and preferences.” from the report
Growing independence
People were supported to learn new skills, use public transport, find voluntary work and move towards more independent accommodation.
“People's support focused on them having as many opportunities as possible for them to gain new skills and become more independent.” from the report
Kind and respectful staff
People said staff were kind. Inspectors saw staff supporting people in a respectful, encouraging and dignified way.
“We saw when staff interacted with people they did so in a respectful, encouraging and dignified way.” from the report
Strong choice and communication
Staff adapted communication to people's needs and helped people choose activities, holidays and how they spent their time.
“People were encouraged and supported by staff to lead a fulfilling life by taking part in activities, attending social events, employment, maintaining relationships and organising holidays that they choose the destination of.” from the report
Larger than current best practice guidance
minorThe home was registered for up to 11 people, which inspectors said was larger than current best practice guidance. They said the building design and location helped reduce any negative impact.
“It was registered for the support of up to 11 people. This is larger than current best practice guidance.” from the report
- 01How would you support my relative's individual goals, preferences and plans for greater independence?
- 02How would you communicate with my relative in the way they understand best?
- 03How would you assess and manage the risks linked to my relative's activities while still supporting their choices?
- 04How much support is available if my relative wants to go out, attend activities or access work or voluntary work?
- 05How are people and their families involved in reviewing care plans and raising concerns?
This was a planned inspection covering all five quality questions; the care home premises and care were inspected, while only personal care and support, not premises, were inspected in the supported living setting. This explanation was written from the published report of 10 April 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 Yew Tree Cottage
2 rated inspections over 3 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- March 2021Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- April 2020Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: OutstandingWell-led: Good
- August 2017GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- June 2016
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 13 June 2016.
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.