CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Beechfield Lodge
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors found enough staff, safe recruitment and systems to manage risks such as falls, choking and skin breakdown. Medicines were generally managed safely, but there were some gaps in records for thickened fluids.
- Effective?
- Good
- Staff had relevant training, inductions, supervision and appraisals. People received support with nutrition, hydration, healthcare and decisions about their care.
- Caring?
- Good
- People were treated with kindness, dignity and respect. Inspectors saw caring interactions and found that people were supported to remain as independent as possible.
- Responsive?
- Good
- Care plans were personalised and included people's history, interests and preferences. Activities and regular trips took place, and there was a complaints process.
- Well-led?
- Good
- The home had a registered manager and systems for audits, meetings, surveys and staff checks. Inspectors found a positive culture and partnership working with health and social care professionals.
What inspectors found, December 2023
Rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and personalised care, with some gaps in records for thickened fluids.
The inspection was unannounced. Inspectors visited on 21 and 23 November 2023. They spoke with people living at the home, relatives and staff. They also checked care plans, recruitment files, training records and quality checks.
The home was rated Good in all five areas: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. Inspectors found enough staff, safe recruitment, suitable risk checks and good support with food, drink and healthcare.
People and relatives gave positive feedback. Inspectors saw kind interactions and found that care plans reflected people's needs and preferences. The home had activities, trips, complaints arrangements and systems for checking quality. The overall rating stayed Good, as it was at the previous inspection published in October 2017.
Enough staff
Inspectors found there were enough staff to meet people's needs safely. Recruitment checks, including references and DBS checks, were completed.
“The provider ensured there were enough staff employed to care for people safely.” from the report
Kind and respectful care
People and relatives spoke positively about the care. Inspectors observed staff treating people warmly and supporting their dignity and independence.
“During the inspection we observed staff interacting with people living at the home in kind and caring way.” from the report
Personalised support
Care plans included people's preferences, life histories and hobbies. Staff knew people's individual needs and how they preferred to receive support.
“Care plans were personalised and contained information for staff about how people wanted their care and support to be carried out.” from the report
Activities and trips
People could take part in a range of activities, with regular trips and outings. The report says these supported people's interests and social contact.
“There was a range of activities for people to take part in and trips out took place regularly.” from the report
Quality monitoring
Managers used audits, meetings, surveys and staff checks to monitor the service. The home also worked with health and social care professionals.
“There were systems in place to monitor the quality of service through audits, meetings, surveys and competency checks.” from the report
Gaps in thickened-fluid records
minorMedicine records were otherwise completed accurately, but inspectors found some gaps in records for thickened fluids. They raised this with the deputy and registered manager.
“although we found there were some gaps in records for thickened fluids.” from the report
- 01How do you make sure thickened fluids are recorded correctly every time?
- 02How would you assess and review my relative's risks, such as falls, choking or skin breakdown?
- 03What activities and trips would be suitable for my relative, and how often could they take part?
- 04How would my relative be involved in decisions about their care if they had difficulty communicating or making a decision?
- 05How do you use complaints, meetings and surveys to make changes to the home?
This was an unannounced inspection of the care provided and the premises, covering all five CQC questions; inspectors visited on 21 and 23 November, with inspection activity continuing until 5 December 2023. This explanation was written from the published report of 22 December 2023 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 2021
Beechfield Lodge was inspected but not rated; inspectors were assured that infection prevention and control measures were in place.
This was an announced, targeted inspection on 16 February 2021. Inspectors looked specifically at infection prevention and control during the coronavirus pandemic.
Inspectors were assured about visitor checks, testing, personal protective equipment, hand hygiene, cleaning, ventilation, social distancing and safe admissions. They also found enough staff and arrangements for managing possible outbreaks.
The home was inspected but not rated. This report does not give an overall rating or ratings for care, effectiveness, responsiveness or leadership.
Visitor infection checks
Visitors had information about infection control, temperature checks and questionnaires. Lateral flow testing was carried out when needed.
“At the entrance of the home, information was displayed to inform visitors about any infection control procedures to be followed.” from the report
Safe admissions and outbreak planning
The home requested proof of a negative COVID-19 test before new admissions. Zoning and contingency arrangements were in place to help manage infections.
“Appropriate arrangements were in place for new admissions to the home, such as requesting confirmation of a negative COVID-19 test before each person moved into Beechfield Lodge.” from the report
Staffing and protective equipment
Inspectors found enough staff, adequate PPE and additional infection control training during the pandemic.
“There were enough staff to care for people safely, with staff receiving additional infection control training from the local authority during the pandemic.” from the report
Keeping families connected
People were supported to stay in contact with family and friends through video calls and window visits.
“Various methods had been used to enable people to keep in touch with their family and friends during the pandemic.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How are visitors currently checked for symptoms and infection risks before entering?
- 02What testing and PPE arrangements are currently used for staff, residents and visitors?
- 03How would the home manage a new infection outbreak, including zoning and isolation?
- 04What checks are made before someone is admitted to the home?
- 05How can residents currently keep in touch with family and friends if visiting is restricted?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control under Safe; no ratings were awarded for the other four questions or for the service overall. This explanation was written from the published report of 3 March 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.
Every inspection of Beechfield Lodge
3 rated inspections over 9 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- December 2023Goodcurrent ratingSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- March 2021Inspected but not ratedSafe: Inspected but not rated
- October 2017Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- December 2014GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: Requires improvementResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- March 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- October 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- February 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- September 2011
Report published without a new overall rating.
- November 2010
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 25 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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At least 100 live-in carers within about an hour of Salford
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. 90 can care for a couple. 10 years' experience on average.
“Primrose is a very kind and compassionate healthcare professional”
“She is an exemplary carer, she is knowledgable empathetic and very respectful in the home.”
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.