CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Yew Tree Cottage Residential Home
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
What inspectors found, February 2021
Inspected but not rated; inspectors were assured that infection prevention and control measures were in place.
This was an announced, targeted inspection on 2 February 2021. It looked at how the home was preventing and controlling coronavirus infections.
Inspectors were assured that the home was using personal protective equipment safely, arranging testing, managing visitors, following social distancing and shielding rules, and keeping its infection control policy up to date.
People were supported to keep in touch with family and friends. Staff spent time with people through activities such as listening to music and reading.
The home was inspected but not rated. This means the inspection did not give a quality rating for the service.
Infection control
Inspectors were assured that the home had arrangements to prevent and manage infections, including access to testing and local infection control advice.
“We were assured that the provider was making sure infection outbreaks can be effectively prevented or managed.” from the report
Safe protective equipment
Inspectors were assured that protective equipment was being used effectively and safely.
“We were assured that the provider was using PPE effectively and safely.” from the report
Keeping families connected
People were supported to remain in contact with family and friends, including through letter writing.
“People were being supported to remain in contact with family and friends” from the report
Activities and companionship
Staff spent quality time with people through activities such as listening to music and reading.
“they were able to spend quality time with people in regards activities such as listening to music or reading.” from the report
Staff support
Staff worked only at the home, and the registered manager demonstrated arrangements to support staff wellbeing and safe returns to work.
“Members of staff only worked at Yew Tree Cottage.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How are you currently arranging testing for residents and staff?
- 02How do you make sure personal protective equipment is used safely and effectively?
- 03How are visits from family and friends managed now?
- 04How do you support residents to keep in contact with family and take part in activities?
- 05When did you last update your infection prevention and control policy?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control during the coronavirus pandemic; it was inspected but not rated and did not assess the other quality questions. This explanation was written from the published report of 24 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, January 2020
Rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and personalised care across all five areas.
This was a planned inspection. An unannounced visit took place on 18 December 2019, followed by a further visit on 2 January 2020. The inspector spoke with four people and two care staff, and reviewed care, medicines, recruitment and management records.
Inspectors found that people felt safe and that there were enough trained staff. Medicines were administered safely, risks were assessed, and the home was clean and well maintained.
People received care based on their wishes and routines. Staff were described as kind and friendly, people were supported to access healthcare, and visitors were welcome. The home also had systems to monitor quality and make improvements.
The overall rating was Good, with Good ratings for Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. The previous inspection, published in May 2017, also rated the home Good.
People felt safe
People told inspectors they felt safe and staff knew how to report safeguarding concerns. Risk assessments helped people remain independent while reducing avoidable risks.
“People felt safe at the home and with the staff who supported them.” from the report
Kind and respectful care
Inspectors observed positive relationships between staff and people. Staff respected privacy, dignity, personal choices and independence.
“People were supported by staff who were kind and friendly.” from the report
Personalised routines
People could choose when to get up, go to bed and spend their day. Staff knew people's preferences and adapted support as needs changed.
“People told us they were able to follow their own routines and decide how they spent their time.” from the report
Good health support
Staff helped people attend appointments and worked with healthcare professionals. They responded when someone lost weight and supported that person to maintain a stable weight.
“People's health was monitored, and staff sought advice when they had concerns about a person's mental or physical health.” from the report
Open management
The registered manager and provider were described as accessible and approachable. Audits helped identify improvements, including adding evening staff after reviewing accident patterns.
“People described the registered manager and provider as very accessible and approachable.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How would you meet my relative's specific care needs and preferences?
- 02How would staffing levels change if my relative needed end of life care or more support?
- 03How do you monitor and review medicines, including medicines that are refused?
- 04How would you respond if my relative's health, weight or mobility changed?
- 05How are families involved in care plan reviews and decisions about daily routines?
This inspection looked at the overall quality of the care home, including care and premises, and rated all five questions. This explanation was written from the published report of 10 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 Yew Tree Cottage Residential Home
3 rated inspections over 4 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- February 2021Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
Read what inspectors found at Yew Tree Cottage Residential Home →
- January 2020Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
Read what inspectors found at Yew Tree Cottage Residential Home →
- May 2017Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- April 2016GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- June 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- November 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- March 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- February 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- November 2010
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 23 November 2010.
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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76 live-in carers within about two hours of Somerset
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 £1,370 a week. 62 can care for a couple. 12 years' experience on average.
“She looked after my mum, who can be incredibly challenging, so well and so gently, and we always felt confident that my mum was getting the best care available.”
“She was not phased by anything, she was adaptable, kind & gave us complete confidence to go away & not worry about a thing!”
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.