CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Abbey Lodge Residential Home
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors were assured about most infection prevention and control arrangements. They were only somewhat assured that shielding and social distancing rules were being met.
- Effective?
- Good
- This area was not assessed during this targeted inspection.
- Caring?
- Good
- This area was not assessed during this targeted inspection.
- Responsive?
- Good
- This area was not assessed during this targeted inspection.
- Well-led?
- Good
- This area was not assessed during this targeted inspection.
What inspectors found, December 2020
Abbey Lodge Residential Home was inspected but not rated; inspectors were assured about most infection controls, but were only somewhat assured about shielding and social distancing.
This was an unannounced, targeted inspection on 18 November 2020. It focused only on infection prevention and control during the coronavirus outbreak.
Inspectors observed staff practice and how protective equipment was stored and used. They also checked training information and infection control audit records after the visit.
The home was assured on most infection control measures, including personal protective equipment, testing, visitors, admissions, cleaning and managing outbreaks. Inspectors were only somewhat assured that shielding and social distancing rules were being met.
The home was inspected but not rated. The other areas of care will be assessed at a later comprehensive inspection.
Protective equipment
Staff used personal protective equipment properly. Equipment was available around the home, including specific equipment for higher-risk tasks.
“We were assured that the provider was using personal protective equipment (PPE) effectively and safely.” from the report
Testing and outbreak response
Inspectors were assured that the home was accessing testing and had arrangements to prevent or manage infection outbreaks.
“We were assured that the provider was making sure infection outbreaks can be effectively prevented or managed.” from the report
Staffing during the outbreak
The management team used agency staff who worked only at the home to maintain safe staffing levels during the outbreak.
“The management team had deployed agency staff who were only working at Abbey Lodge to ensure safe staffing levels were maintained.” from the report
Updated infection control practice
The management team followed advice from other agencies and updated staff practice. Inspectors were assured that the infection prevention and control policy was up to date.
“The management team were following advice and guidance from other agencies about infection control and prevention and had updated staff practice accordingly.” from the report
Shielding and social distancing
needs fixingInspectors were not fully assured that shielding and social distancing rules were being met. They also signposted the home to resources to develop its approach.
“We were somewhat assured that the provider was meeting shielding and social distancing rules.” from the report
- 01What changes have you made to shielding and social distancing arrangements since the inspection?
- 02How do you make sure people are supported safely when they are encouraged to stay in their bedrooms?
- 03How are PPE stations checked, restocked and used for higher-risk equipment?
- 04What are your current arrangements for testing residents and staff?
- 05When was the most recent comprehensive inspection, and what ratings did it give for the other areas of care?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control during a coronavirus outbreak; the other key questions were not assessed and were to be considered at the next comprehensive inspection. This explanation was written from the published report of 12 December 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.
What inspectors found, February 2019
Abbey Lodge was rated Good in all five areas; inspectors found kind, safe and personalised care.
This was an unannounced planned inspection on 22 January 2019. One inspector and an expert by experience spoke with 15 people, 20 relatives and visitors, the manager and four staff. They observed care and checked care, medicine, recruitment, training and management records.
The inspectors found a warm and welcoming home. People said staff treated them with kindness, respect and compassion. Staff knew people well, supported their independence, gave medicines safely and helped people access healthcare. Activities, food choices and care planning were tailored to people's preferences.
All five areas were rated Good: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. This means the inspectors found the home met the characteristics of Good care at the time of this inspection. The previous inspection, published in July 2016, was also rated Good.
Kind and respectful care
People said staff were kind and compassionate. Inspectors saw staff adapting their approach to each person and respecting privacy, dignity and independence.
“People were supported and treated with dignity and respect; and involved as partners in their care.” from the report
Safe staffing and medicines
Inspectors found enough staff to meet people's needs. Medicine records were complete, stock matched the records and staff had competency checks before giving medicines.
“People were safe and protected from avoidable harm. Legal requirements were met.” from the report
Good communication and complaints handling
People and their loved ones were involved in care planning where possible. The three complaints recorded during the previous year had been resolved.
“Complaints and concerns continued to be documented and responded to appropriately.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How do you use the monthly dependency review to make sure there are enough staff for my relative's current needs?
- 02What progress has been made with the planned kitchen, carpet and communal area renovations?
- 03How will you support my relative if their health or mobility changes, and how quickly will their care plan be reviewed?
- 04How are my relative's end of life wishes and cultural or spiritual preferences recorded and kept up to date?
- 05What improvements have resulted from the falls tracking system and the audits being introduced?
This was an unannounced planned inspection of the care and the premises, covering all five CQC questions and the overall rating. This explanation was written from the published report of 19 February 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 Abbey Lodge Residential Home
2 rated inspections over 3 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- December 2020Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
Read what inspectors found at Abbey Lodge Residential Home →
- February 2019Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
Read what inspectors found at Abbey Lodge Residential Home →
- July 2016GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- July 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- December 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- March 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- October 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- July 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- April 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- November 2010
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 19 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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39 live-in carers within about an hour of Kent
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 £1,260 a week. 33 can care for a couple. 12 years' experience on average.
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