CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Abbey Lodge Care Home - St Albans
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors were assured that the home was using personal protective equipment safely, arranging testing, maintaining hygiene and managing outbreaks. The area was inspected but not rated.
- Effective?
- Good
- This area was not covered by this targeted inspection.
- Caring?
- Good
- This area was not covered by this targeted inspection.
- Responsive?
- Good
- This area was not covered by this targeted inspection.
- Well-led?
- Good
- This area was not covered by this targeted inspection.
What inspectors found, February 2021
Abbey Lodge Care Home - St Albans was inspected but not rated; inspectors found good infection control during the COVID-19 pandemic.
This was an unannounced, targeted inspection on 2 February 2021. It looked only at infection prevention and control because of the COVID-19 outbreak response.
Inspectors found that the home had measures to manage infections safely. These included restricting visits, offering video and phone calls, using testing and personal protective equipment, and separating areas during an outbreak.
The home was clean and hygienic. Inspectors were assured that its policies, cleaning, admission arrangements and outbreak procedures were in place.
The home was inspected but not rated. This report does not give an overall quality rating or ratings for the other four areas.
Communication with families
The provider shared information about how it was managing the pandemic. When visits were restricted, people could use video and phone calls to stay in touch with relatives.
“People had access to other means to communicate with their family. For example, video calls and phone calls.” from the report
Managing outbreaks
The home could separate areas of the building during an outbreak. Staff knew how to start infection control measures quickly when someone had symptoms.
“The service was able to cohort and zone sections of the property to ensure that people were safe when there was an outbreak in the home.” from the report
Cleaning and hygiene
Inspectors found the home clean and hygienic, with extra attention to frequently touched areas and deep cleaning after an outbreak.
“When the service had an outbreak, they had an external company complete a deep clean which included disinfecting the whole service and purifying the area.” from the report
Infection control procedures
The home had up-to-date infection control guidance and carried out checks during the pandemic. Inspectors were assured that protective equipment was being used safely.
“We were assured that the provider was using PPE effectively and safely.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01What infection control arrangements are currently in place, and how have they changed since the February 2021 inspection?
- 02How will visits and contact with relatives be managed if there is an infection outbreak?
- 03How often are high-touch areas cleaned, and what happens after an outbreak?
- 04How are residents and staff tested when someone has symptoms or when there is an outbreak?
- 05What are the current ratings for care, staffing, medicines and management, which were not covered by this inspection?
This was an unannounced targeted inspection of infection prevention and control only; the service was inspected but not rated and the other areas were not covered. 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, December 2017
Abbey Lodge Care Home - St Albans was rated Good; inspectors found safe, caring and well-managed support across all five areas.
This was an unannounced inspection on 22 November 2017. One inspector spoke with two people living at the home, two staff and the registered manager. They also reviewed care records, medicine records, staff training, quality checks and three staff files.
The inspectors found that people felt safe and had enough staff to support them. Medicines were managed safely, risks were reviewed, and the home was clean. People were involved in their care plans, meals, daily tasks and decisions about their support.
People were supported to maintain relationships, use health services, pursue hobbies and take part in community activities. The home had regular checks on quality and management was described as approachable and supportive.
The home was rated Good in Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. It had also been rated Good at the previous inspection on 22 September 2015, so the overall rating remained unchanged.
Safe medicines support
Staff were trained and their competence was checked. Medicine records were accurate and stock matched the records inspected.
“Medicine administration records (MAR) were completed accurately and the stock of medicines we counted matched the records kept.” from the report
Involvement in care
People helped plan and review their support. They signed their care plans and agreed to the support they received.
“People were involved in planning their care and support, signed their own care plans and consented to the support they received.” from the report
Support for independence
People were helped to take part in daily tasks, volunteering, hobbies and community activities. They were also supported to move to less supported services when appropriate.
“People had opportunities to pursue their hobbies, interest and socialise in house and in the community.” from the report
Positive management
People and staff described the management as supportive and approachable. The provider used audits, surveys and local authority checks to monitor quality.
“People and staff were positive about the management of the service.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How will you involve my relative in creating and reviewing their care plan?
- 02How will you support my relative to manage their own medicines, and how will staff check this remains safe?
- 03What activities, volunteering or community opportunities could my relative take part in?
- 04How will you review my relative's goals and decide whether they are ready for less supported living?
- 05How will you support my relative to access mental health, GP, dental and other health services?
This was an unannounced inspection covering all five CQC areas, and the previous Good ratings remained unchanged. This explanation was written from the published report of 16 December 2017 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 Abbey Lodge Care Home - St Albans
2 rated inspections over 2 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- February 2021Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
Read what inspectors found at Abbey Lodge Care Home - St Albans →
- December 2017Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
Read what inspectors found at Abbey Lodge Care Home - St Albans →
- November 2015GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- May 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- June 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- January 2011
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 7 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.