The inspection took place on 1 March 2017 and was unannounced. The provider had changed their registration with us and so this was the first inspection of the service under the new provider registration.

Comberton Nursing Home provides accommodation for up to 36 people who require residential and nursing care. There were 29 people living at the home when we visited.

The home had a registered manager, who was present during the visit to the home. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated regulations about how the service is run.

People were protected from the risks of harm or abuse and staff had been trained to recognise and report concerns. Risks to people's safety had been identified and staff monitored these closely. The arrangements for the management of people’s medicines were safe. Staffing levels were reviewed to ensure there were enough staff available to meet people's needs. However we saw periods where there were no staff present in communal areas to help people. Recruitment procedures were followed to ensure checks were carried out on the suitability of new staff.

Staff had a planned induction to prepare them for their role and training and support to ensure they understood and met people's needs effectively. Staff understood the importance of seeking people’s consent to care and how to support people whose liberty was restricted. Training in the requirements of the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) 2005 and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS), was planned to support staff understanding. People enjoyed their meals and were supported eat and drink enough. People had access to health care professionals to promote their health and well-being.

The majority of people who lived at the home described the staff as being nice and kind. However some people told us a caring approach was not consistent. Some people experienced delays in accessing the toilet which could compromise their dignity.

People felt that staff knew their preferences and routines for how and when their care was provided. Activity provision was reduced but the registered manager had recruited to this post to enhance opportunities for people. Complaints were managed appropriately.

The quality of care was monitored. Audits and action plans had been effective in identifying improvements and these had been made.