CQC report explained · a nursing home
What the CQC found at Acacia Lodge
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors were assured that the home was using protective equipment safely, arranging testing, managing visitors and admissions, and preventing or managing infection outbreaks.
- Effective?
- Good
- This question was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
- Caring?
- Good
- This question was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
- Responsive?
- Good
- This question was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
- Well-led?
- Good
- This question was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
What inspectors found, January 2021
Inspected but not rated; inspectors were assured that infection prevention and control arrangements were safe.
This was an announced, targeted inspection on 26 November 2020. It looked only at infection prevention and control during the coronavirus pandemic.
Inspectors found information for visitors, suitable use of protective equipment, testing for people and staff, and arrangements to support social distancing. People were also supported to keep in touch with family by telephone and video calls when visits were not allowed.
The report gives no overall rating and no rating for Safe. Inspectors discussed continuing enhanced cleaning and reviewing risk assessments for communal areas, but were assured these measures would continue.
Visitor infection controls
Information was displayed at the entrance to help visitors follow infection prevention guidance and procedures.
“Information was on display at the entrance to the service.” from the report
Contact with family
When visits were not allowed during lockdown, people could keep in touch with friends and family using telephone and video calls.
“People were supported to keep in touch with their friends and family via alternative means during lockdown when visits were not permitted.” from the report
Testing arrangements
People and staff continued to receive coronavirus tests through the Government’s whole home testing scheme.
“Staff and people living at the service continued to receive a COVID-19 test as part of the Government's whole home testing scheme.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How have you continued the enhanced cleaning schedules discussed with inspectors?
- 02How are risk assessments for people using communal areas reviewed and updated?
- 03How is the infection prevention and control policy being reviewed when COVID-19 guidance changes?
- 04How are visitors currently supported to follow infection prevention and control guidance?
- 05How often are people living here and staff currently tested for COVID-19?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control practices only, so the service was inspected but not rated and the other care areas were not assessed. This explanation was written from the published report of 9 January 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, March 2020
Acacia Lodge is rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and personalised care, with some end-of-life plans still needing review.
This was an unannounced, planned inspection on 25 February 2020. One inspector spoke with people using the service, relatives, staff and a visiting professional. They reviewed care records, medicine records and management records.
The home was rated Good in all five areas: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. Inspectors found enough staff, safe medicine arrangements, detailed care plans, respectful support and good links with health and social care professionals.
People were involved in decisions about their care, meals and activities. The home was described as open and well managed. Records showed that incidents, complaints and audits were used to make improvements.
Some people who had limited capacity did not have an end-of-life plan. The manager agreed to review this. The previous overall rating was also Good, published on 30 August 2017.
Safe staffing
Inspectors found enough staff to meet people's needs. Staffing could be adjusted when needs changed or emergencies occurred.
“There were enough staff to support peoples needs.” from the report
Personalised care
Care plans included people's histories, preferences, health needs and goals. They were reviewed regularly and updated after changes.
“People had care plans which were personalised and detailed.” from the report
Kind and respectful support
Staff knew people well and supported their choices, privacy and dignity. Relatives said they felt welcome.
“A relative said, "Staff are kind and show a real empathy and positive attitude in supporting people.” from the report
Good management
The home had regular audits, staff meetings and systems for learning from incidents. People's suggestions were considered and acted on.
“Audits and quality reviews were regularly completed, and these were effective in improving quality.” from the report
Health and professional links
Staff monitored people's health and worked with health and social care professionals. Relatives said they were kept informed.
“We have a good relationship and staff never leave things to get to crisis point.” from the report
End-of-life plans
needs fixingSome people with limited capacity did not have an end-of-life plan. The manager agreed to review this area of care.
“Some plans had been completed with family, however other people who had limited capacity did not have a plan in place.” from the report
Accessible information
minorThe service user guide was in writing, and the home was considering different ways to share information. Ask how information will be adapted for each person.
“The service user guide was provided in a written format, the registered manager told us they were reviewing how this was produced and different ways to share information in the future.” from the report
- 01How will you make sure every person who lacks capacity has an up-to-date end-of-life plan?
- 02How will you provide the service user guide and other information in a format each person can understand?
- 03How do you adjust staffing when a person's care needs change or an emergency happens?
- 04How are changes to medicines, including medicines for pain or anxiety, recorded and reviewed?
- 05How are people's views about activities and daily choices used to update their care plans?
This was an unannounced, planned inspection that looked at all five CQC areas, including the care provided and the home environment. This explanation was written from the published report of 18 March 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 Acacia Lodge
2 rated inspections over 3 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- January 2021Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- March 2020Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- August 2017GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- April 2015
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 15 April 2015.
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
62 live-in carers within about an hour of Derbyshire
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 £1,010 to £1,260 a week. 51 can care for a couple. 12 years' experience on average.
“Ernest is an amazing professional carer who delivers care from the heart.”
“We particularly appreciate the companionship Dawn gives in the evenings when she plays cards and Scrabble with my mother.”
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.