CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Albion Lodge Retirement Home
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors found enough staff, good risk assessments, safe medicine management and regular checks of the building. Some areas of communal bathrooms needed improvement, which the inspectors said they would check at a future inspection.
- Effective?
- Good
- People's needs were assessed and reviewed, and staff received training and induction. Food, healthcare support, communication needs and consent were managed well.
- Caring?
- Good
- Staff were described as kind, patient and thoughtful. They respected people's privacy, dignity, choices, customs and independence.
- Responsive?
- Good
- Care plans reflected people's preferences and routines. People were offered activities, outings, communication support and help to maintain relationships.
- Well-led?
- Good
- The home had an open and inclusive culture. People, relatives and staff could give their views, and quality checks were used to support improvements.
What inspectors found, April 2020
Albion Lodge Retirement Home was rated Good in all five areas; inspectors found kind, safe care, with minor cleanliness and privacy-record issues.
This was an unannounced inspection on 4 March 2020. Two inspectors spoke with seven people living at the home, three relatives and staff. They also observed care and checked care plans, medicine records, staff training and quality checks.
The inspectors found enough staff, safe medicine arrangements and good systems for managing risks. Staff were trained and knew people's needs. People were treated with kindness, dignity and respect, and were supported to make choices and stay independent.
People had personalised care plans, regular activities and support to keep in touch with relatives and the community. The home was well managed, with an open culture and ongoing improvements. Some bathroom areas needed improvement, and one care record had been left in a bathroom, but it was removed straight away.
Enough staff
People and relatives said there were enough staff, and people did not have to wait long for help. Staff also benefited from continuity because many had worked at the home for years.
“There was enough staff on duty to support people safely which was echoed by staff and people's relatives.” from the report
Safe medicines
Inspectors found that medicines were ordered, stored, given and disposed of safely. Only trained and assessed staff administered them.
“Medicine management was safe. The process of ordering, receiving, storing and disposing of medicines were all robust.” from the report
Kind and respectful care
Staff built positive relationships with people and respected their privacy, dignity, choices and personal customs.
“People's needs were met by caring, patient and thoughtful staff.” from the report
Personalised support and activities
Care plans included people's preferences and routines. People could choose activities, use the garden and library, join events and go on outings.
“Staff considered what mattered to people when planning their care.” from the report
Some bathroom areas needed improvement
minorCommunal bathrooms were clean overall, but inspectors identified some areas where cleanliness could be improved. They said this would be checked at a future inspection.
“Communal toilets and bathrooms were clean although some areas were brought to the management team’s attention where improvement could be made.” from the report
Private record left out
minorA file recording support with people's creams had been left in a bathroom. Staff recognised this was an error and removed it immediately.
“However, we did find a file where staff recorded the support provided in relation to applying people's creams had been left in a bathroom area.” from the report
- 01What action have you taken to improve the bathroom areas identified during the inspection?
- 02How do you make sure care records and information about people's personal care are kept private?
- 03How would you assess and support my relative's specific health conditions, medicines and communication needs?
- 04Which activities and outings would be suitable for my relative, and how would you adapt them to their interests?
- 05How are families involved in care plan reviews and decisions about changes to the home?
This was an unannounced inspection covering all five CQC questions, including the premises, care, records, staff arrangements and quality checks. This explanation was written from the published report of 3 April 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, September 2017
Albion Lodge Retirement Home was rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and personalised care, with some concerns about drinks and preferred bathing times.
This was an unannounced comprehensive inspection on 18 July 2017. Inspectors spoke with people living at the home, a relative, staff and a visiting health professional. They also observed care and checked care records, medicines, training and quality checks.
All five areas were rated Good: safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led. Inspectors found enough staff, safe medicines support, suitable staff training, good access to health professionals and care plans that reflected people's needs and preferences.
People described kind and respectful care. They were supported to make everyday choices, keep in touch with relatives and take part in activities. A small number of people were unsure whether they could ask for extra hot drinks, and some could not always have baths at their preferred time. The provider said the bathing issue would be addressed immediately.
Safe staffing
People and professionals told inspectors there were enough staff. Inspectors saw staff had time to talk with people and provide assistance.
“One visiting heath professional told us there were enough staff available so any advice they provided could be and was followed.” from the report
Kind and respectful care
People described staff as kind and helpful. Staff knew people's interests and respected their privacy, dignity and independence.
“People told us staff took their right to dignity, privacy and independence into account in the way they cared for them.” from the report
Personalised support
Care plans included people's histories, preferences and individual risks. Staff knew how people liked to spend their time and adjusted support when needs changed.
“We saw people's care plans reflected their unique histories and preferences, and their individual risks.” from the report
Good management checks
Senior staff checked medicines, care planning, equipment and staff training. People's suggestions were discussed and acted on.
“Regular checks were in place to assess and monitor the quality and safety of the service.” from the report
Bathing times
needs fixingThree people said they were offered baths and showers regularly but not always at the time they preferred. The provider said this would be addressed immediately after the inspection.
“Three people told us they were offered baths and showers regularly, but not always at the time they would prefer.” from the report
Access to extra hot drinks
minorMost people felt able to ask for drinks, but two people were unsure whether they could request extra hot drinks.
“Two people told us they were not sure if they could ask for extra hot drinks.” from the report
- 01How do you make sure people can request extra hot drinks whenever they want them?
- 02What changed after the inspection to ensure people can have baths or showers at their preferred time?
- 03How are each person's preferences and changing needs shared with all staff?
- 04How do you check that medicines are given safely and that records remain complete?
This was an unannounced comprehensive inspection covering all five rating areas, and the report says the previous rating was Good and the service remained Good. This explanation was written from the published report of 5 September 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 Albion Lodge Retirement Home
3 rated inspections over 5 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- April 2020Goodcurrent ratingstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
Read what inspectors found at Albion Lodge Retirement Home →
- September 2017Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
Read what inspectors found at Albion Lodge Retirement Home →
- July 2015GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- September 2014
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 29 September 2014.
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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