CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Aarandale Lodge
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
What inspectors found, February 2021
Aarandale Lodge: targeted infection-control inspection was not rated; inspectors found strong precautions but gaps in social distancing at mealtimes.
This was an unannounced, targeted inspection on 20 January 2021. It was carried out because of coronavirus outbreaks in care homes and focused on infection prevention and control.
Inspectors found that testing, personal protective equipment, cleaning and infection-control arrangements were in place. Relatives were supported to keep in touch through calls, garden visits and an indoor visiting pod. End-of-life visits were also supported with extra safety measures.
The service was inspected but not rated. The report does not give ratings for the usual five areas of care. Inspectors were somewhat assured about shielding and social distancing because there was not enough support for social distancing during mealtimes.
Testing
The home was following government guidance on whole-home testing for people living there and staff.
“The registered manager was following the government's guidance on whole home testing for people and staff.” from the report
Keeping families connected
The home supported contact through video and telephone calls, garden visits and an indoor visiting pod.
“People's well-being was supported by video and telephone calls to relatives.” from the report
Infection-control practice
Inspectors saw appropriate use of masks, gloves and aprons, along with good hygiene practices.
“Appropriate infection prevention control practices were observed, such as the wearing of masks, gloves, aprons and also included good hygiene practices.” from the report
Clean environment
Cleaning schedules were in place and inspectors found the environment visibly clean.
“Cleaning schedules were in place and the environment was visibly clean.” from the report
Social distancing at mealtimes
needs fixingInspectors found that the home had not considered how to support people to keep apart during meals. They signposted the provider to resources to improve its approach.
“Consideration had not been given to support people to social distance during mealtimes.” from the report
- 01How do you now support people to maintain social distancing during mealtimes?
- 02How are the two communal lounges being used to help people maintain social distancing?
- 03What whole-home testing arrangements are currently in place for people and staff?
- 04How can relatives visit, including for someone who is at the end of their life, and what safety measures are used?
- 05What has changed since the inspectors signposted you to resources about shielding and social distancing?
This was an unannounced targeted inspection of infection prevention and control practices only; the service was inspected but not rated and the other care areas were not covered. This explanation was written from the published report of 18 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, August 2019
Aarandale Lodge was rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and personalised care across all five areas.
This was an unannounced inspection on 5 August 2019. One inspector spoke with seven people, observed care, spoke with the manager and staff, and checked care files, staff records, medicines records and other documents.
Inspectors found people were safe and supported by enough suitably checked staff. Medicines were managed by trained staff, risks were assessed, infection controls were in place, and incidents were reviewed for learning.
People received personalised care from kind staff. Their choices, communication needs, activities, health needs and end of life wishes were considered. The home was rated Good in Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. This was the same overall rating as the previous inspection.
Kind and respectful care
People described staff as kind and said they were happy with their care. Inspectors observed staff supporting dignity, choice and independence.
“Staff cared for people in an empathetic and kind manner.” from the report
Personalised support
Care plans recorded people's backgrounds, interests, preferences and communication needs. These plans were reviewed regularly with people and, where appropriate, relatives and advocates.
“Care plans were person centred and included information on people's background, hobbies and interests, likes and dislikes and preferences on how they wished to receive their care and support.” from the report
Safe medicines and staffing
Staff who supported people with medicines were trained and competent. Inspectors found medicines records in good order and saw regular checks of medicines management.
“Medication records we reviewed were in good order.” from the report
Good support with health
The home worked with GPs, nurses and other health professionals. People were supported with nutrition, special diets, eyesight, hearing and dentures.
“The registered manager worked closely with other agencies who provided support for people's on-going care needs.” from the report
Activities and relationships
People were supported to maintain family relationships and take part in activities such as chair yoga and visiting singers. Family members could attend activities at the home.
“People were supported to maintain relationships with their families.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How would you meet my relative's specific communication needs, including any vision, hearing or other impairment?
- 02How often would my relative's care plan be reviewed, and how would I or other relatives be involved?
- 03How do you make sure medicines remain accurate and safely managed for each person?
- 04What activities would suit my relative's interests, and how would you support them to maintain family relationships?
- 05How would you support my relative if they needed end of life care?
This was an unannounced planned inspection that looked at the home, care and all five CQC questions; all five ratings remained Good from the previous inspection. This explanation was written from the published report of 30 August 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 Aarandale Lodge
3 rated inspections over 4 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- February 2021Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- August 2019Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- February 2017Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- March 2015GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- July 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- December 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- January 2011
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 28 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.
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51 live-in carers within about an hour of Southend-on-Sea
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 £960 to £1,200 a week. 44 can care for a couple. 12 years' experience on average.
“She brought fun and stimulation into mums life.”
“She was always cheerful and looking for ways to stimulate my mother. She became her "friend" and provided best care always.”
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.