CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Albert Lodge
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors were assured that infection prevention and control arrangements were effective, including use of protective equipment, cleaning, testing and outbreak planning. The provider also said it had measures to manage COVID-19-related staffing pressures.
- Effective?
- Good
- This area was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
- Caring?
- Good
- This area was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
- Responsive?
- Outstanding
- This area was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
- Well-led?
- Good
- This area was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
What inspectors found, February 2022
Inspected but not rated; inspectors found strong infection controls, safe visiting arrangements and support for people's wellbeing.
This was an announced, targeted inspection on 2 February 2022. Inspectors looked at infection prevention and control, visiting arrangements, and whether COVID-19 staffing pressures affected the home.
The home was clean and tidy. Staff used protective equipment correctly, cleaning was recorded and checked, and supplies of protective equipment were available. Inspectors were assured that the home had arrangements for testing, preventing outbreaks and safely admitting people.
Visitors were welcomed under safety procedures, and people were supported to meet family and friends outside the home. Staff also provided activities and companionship during the pandemic.
The home was inspected but not rated. This means the report does not give an overall quality rating or a full set of ratings for the five areas of care.
Infection control
Inspectors found that the home followed current guidance, used protective equipment correctly and had plans for preventing and managing outbreaks.
“We were assured that the provider was using PPE effectively and safely.” from the report
Clean environment
The home was clean and tidy. Cleaning was recorded and checked daily, including disinfection of frequently touched surfaces.
“The home was clean and tidy, staff followed cleaning rotas.” from the report
Family contact
Visitors were welcomed under safety procedures, and people could also meet family and friends outside the home.
“People were also supported to visit their friends and families outside of the service.” from the report
Wellbeing during the pandemic
Staff provided activities and spent time with people to help reduce isolation. The provider also supported staff with their wellbeing.
“Staff had worked hard to support people's wellbeing during the pandemic by providing in-house activities” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01What infection prevention and control arrangements are in place now, and how often are cleaning records checked?
- 02How are visits currently managed, including visits outside the home?
- 03How do you manage staffing pressures if staff are absent because of COVID-19?
- 04How do you support residents to stay socially connected and avoid isolation?
- 05When was the home's last full inspection covering effective, caring, responsive and well-led care?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control, visiting arrangements and COVID-19-related staffing pressures; it did not provide a full set of quality ratings. This explanation was written from the published report of 22 February 2022 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, October 2018
Rated Good overall, with Outstanding responsiveness and inspectors finding kind, safe and highly personalised care.
This was an unannounced inspection on 21 August 2018. It was the first inspection since the home registered in October 2016. Inspectors spoke with staff and health professionals, observed care, and reviewed care, medicines and management records.
The home supported five adults with learning disabilities and mental health needs, including some people whose behaviour could put themselves or others at risk. Inspectors found people were safe, treated with kindness, involved in decisions and supported by trained staff.
The strongest area was responsiveness, rated Outstanding. Care plans were detailed and personal. Staff supported people's goals, relationships, activities and move towards greater independence. The other four areas were rated Good.
Personalised support
Care plans contained detailed information about people's needs, preferences, communication and goals. People were involved in reviews and decisions about their support.
“Care and support was recorded in a very person-centred way with excellent emphasis on how people wished and needed to be supported.” from the report
Support for independence
Staff helped people build daily living skills and prepare for supported living. People were encouraged to try new interests and take part in education and activities.
“People were very well supported by staff to develop themselves in their recovery and their move to independence.” from the report
Kind and respectful care
Inspectors saw calm, respectful relationships. Staff understood when people needed support and when they needed space to work through their emotions and decisions.
“Our observations demonstrated that staff treated people with great kindness, respect and empathy.” from the report
Safe medicines practice
Records showed medicines were stored, given and monitored safely. Inspectors found no gaps in the medicines administration records they checked.
“We looked at the MAR charts for all people living at the home. There were no gaps in these records.” from the report
Recent medicines errors
minorThe report records two recent medicines errors. Both were investigated promptly and corrective action was taken, but families may want to ask what was learned and how repeat errors are prevented.
“There had been two recent medicines errors. Both were investigated promptly and remedial action taken in line with the provider's policy.” from the report
- 01How many staff would usually support my relative on each shift, and how would staffing change if their needs or behaviour changed?
- 02How would my relative be involved in writing and reviewing their recovery and support plan?
- 03What support would you offer to help my relative develop daily living skills or move towards supported living?
- 04What caused the two recent medicines errors, and what checks are now in place to prevent them happening again?
- 05How would you involve our family in reviews, family work and decisions about my relative's care?
This was an unannounced first inspection covering all five quality areas, the premises and the care provided. This explanation was written from the published report of 12 October 2018 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 Albert Lodge
Each visit the CQC has published, newest first, back to the day the home was registered.
- February 2022Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- October 2018GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: OutstandingWell-led: Good
- October 2016
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 10 October 2016.
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
47 live-in carers within about an hour of Portsmouth
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 £1,020 to £1,240 a week. 38 can care for a couple. 10 years' experience on average.
“I cannot recommend Prisca highly enough, she is one in a million.”
“He stayed with her throughout the pandemic, refusing to visit his own family, who lived nearby, to reduce the risk of infection.”
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.