CQC report explained · a nursing home
What the CQC found at Belmore Lodge
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- The inspectors found enough staff, safe recruitment checks, regular risk reviews and safe medicines arrangements. Staff knew how to recognise and report abuse.
- Effective?
- Good
- Staff had induction, ongoing training and supervision. People's choices and rights were respected, and their eating, drinking and healthcare needs were understood and supported.
- Caring?
- Good
- People and relatives described staff as kind, patient and friendly. Inspectors saw staff communicating in ways that helped people express their wishes and maintain dignity and independence.
- Responsive?
- Outstanding
- People were supported to follow hobbies, attend activities and maintain community links. They were also encouraged to help with recruitment, welcoming new residents, health and safety and catering feedback.
- Well-led?
- Good
- The home had an open culture, regular communication and effective quality checks. Audits were used to make changes, including staffing and deployment changes after reviewing call-bell use.
What inspectors found, January 2018
Rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind care and outstanding support for people's interests, choices and involvement.
This was an unannounced inspection on 17 October 2017, continuing as an announced visit on 18 October. One inspector and an expert by experience spoke with people, relatives and staff. They reviewed care files, medicines records, staff files, complaints and audits, and observed care and the building.
The inspectors found enough suitably checked staff, safe medicines arrangements and regular reviews of risks. People were supported to make choices and had access to healthcare. Staff were described as kind, patient and respectful, and people's privacy, dignity and independence were protected.
The home was rated Good overall. It was rated Good for Safe, Effective, Caring and Well-led. Responsive was rated Outstanding because people had strong opportunities to follow their interests, stay connected with the community and take an active role in how the home worked.
Safe staffing and risk support
Staffing levels were reviewed against people's needs, and the inspectors saw staff responding promptly. Individual risks were reviewed and equipment or care arrangements were changed when needed.
“People were supported by enough staff to meet their needs.” from the report
Kind and respectful care
People and relatives spoke positively about staff. Inspectors saw calm, friendly interactions and staff supporting people at their own pace.
“We observed people having a relaxed, friendly relationship with staff, sharing moments of fun and laughter.” from the report
People's involvement
People were encouraged to use their skills and have a meaningful role in the home. Some helped with recruitment, welcomed new residents and gave feedback on catering and safety.
“People were actively encouraged to use their skills and talents in contributing to the Belmore Lodge community” from the report
Activities and community links
There were activities seven days a week, including hobbies, exercise, music and trips. The home also supported links with local groups, schools, clubs and families.
“People had opportunities to follow their hobbies and interests.” from the report
Open management
People, relatives and staff felt able to raise concerns with the manager. Quality checks gathered people's views and led to changes in the service.
“The culture of the home was open and transparent and people, their families and the staff team felt able to raise issues with the registered manager.” from the report
One missing medicines risk assessment
minorOne person was self-administering an over-the-counter pain medicine without a risk assessment. The clinical lead arranged for this to be included in the weekly stock check during the inspection.
“One person self-administered an over the counter medicine for pain management which did not have a risk assessment.” from the report
- 01How are risk assessments checked now for people who self-administer medicines, including non-prescription medicines?
- 02How do you match staffing levels and staff deployment to changes in people's needs?
- 03How will my relative be involved in choosing activities and using their skills within the home?
- 04How are changes in people's health, eating or drinking needs passed on to all staff?
- 05How can residents and relatives give feedback or make a complaint, and how will the outcome be shared?
This was a comprehensive inspection covering all five key questions and providing an overall rating for the service. This explanation was written from the published report of 12 January 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 Belmore Lodge
2 rated inspections over 3 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- January 2018Goodcurrent ratingstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: OutstandingWell-led: Good
- April 2015GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- June 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- October 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- June 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- March 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- July 2011
Report published without a new overall rating.
- May 2011
Report published without a new overall rating.
- December 2010
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 29 December 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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26 live-in carers within about an hour of Hampshire
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 £1,260 a week. 23 can care for a couple. 14 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.