CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Blaydon Lodge
Rated Outstanding: inspectors found the home performing exceptionally well.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors were assured that infection risks were managed, including visitor testing, PPE, social distancing, safe admissions and outbreak planning. The provider also had measures to manage COVID-19-related staffing pressures.
- Effective?
- Good
- This key question was not rated in this targeted inspection.
- Caring?
- Outstanding
- This key question was not rated in this targeted inspection.
- Responsive?
- Good
- This key question was not rated in this targeted inspection.
- Well-led?
- Outstanding
- This key question was not rated in this targeted inspection.
What inspectors found, March 2022
Inspected but not rated; inspectors found strong COVID-19 infection control and visiting arrangements at Blaydon Lodge.
This was an announced, targeted inspection on 10 February 2022. Inspectors looked mainly at infection prevention and control, visiting arrangements and whether staffing pressures linked to COVID-19 were affecting care.
Inspectors found that COVID-19 risks had been identified and managed. Staff used personal protective equipment correctly, visitors had to follow testing requirements, and people were supported to access the community and receive visits from relatives.
The home was inspected but not rated. This means the inspection did not give an overall quality rating or ratings for most of the five key questions.
COVID-19 risk management
The registered manager had identified and reduced COVID-19 risks to people, staff and visitors. Infection control checks and quality systems were regularly reviewed.
“The registered manager had identified, assessed and mitigated all COVID-19 related risks to people, staff and visitors.” from the report
Visitor safety
Visitors had to follow infection control arrangements. Professional visitors had to show a negative lateral flow test and vaccination evidence.
“All visitors were required to provide a negative lateral flow test before entering the home.” from the report
Community access
People were supported to leave the home and use the local community. Relatives could visit during short-term respite stays.
“People were encouraged and supported to leave the service to access the local community.” from the report
PPE and staff training
Staff had suitable PPE available and had received extra training on its use and infection prevention during the pandemic.
“Staff wore appropriate PPE and had access to this throughout the home.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How do you assess and manage COVID-19 risks when a person leaves the home and returns?
- 02What measures are currently in place if COVID-19 creates staffing pressures?
- 03How do you check that your infection prevention and control policy remains up to date?
- 04What testing, vaccination and PPE arrangements currently apply to visitors and visiting professionals?
- 05How will relatives be supported to visit someone during a short-term respite stay?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control, visiting arrangements and COVID-19-related staffing pressures; it did not rate the other key questions or give an overall rating. This explanation was written from the published report of 23 March 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, July 2018
Rated Outstanding; inspectors found exceptional personalised care and leadership, with safe, effective and responsive care rated Good.
Inspectors visited on 19, 20 and 28 March 2018. The first visit was unannounced and the second was announced. They spoke with relatives, staff and the registered manager, and checked care records, medicine records, training records and safety information.
The home provides short break and respite care for up to two people at a time. One person was staying there during the inspection. Inspectors found enough staff, safe medicines systems, suitable recruitment checks and staff who understood people's communication and support needs.
Care was rated Outstanding because staff understood people very well and regularly helped them achieve personal goals and new experiences. Leadership was also rated Outstanding because the service was flexible, open and focused on improving people's lives.
The overall rating improved from Good at the 2015 inspection to Outstanding. Safe, effective and responsive care remained rated Good.
Personalised care
Care records described people's histories, preferences, communication, health needs and areas of independence. Staff used this information to tailor support.
“People had personalised care plans which clearly described how they wanted to be cared for so that their individual needs and preferences were met.” from the report
Kind and ambitious support
Staff supported people to try new activities, attend events and achieve personal goals. They planned carefully around individual needs and encouraged independence.
“The registered manager and staff team regularly went above and beyond to ensure people's choices were met and their goals and aspirations achieved.” from the report
Understanding communication
Staff understood non-verbal communication and used visual tools, pictures and other methods to help people express themselves.
“Staff had an excellent understanding of people's communication methods which had been developed over time into a comprehensive communication plan.” from the report
Safe medicines and staffing
Inspectors found accurate medicines records and enough staff to provide personalised care. Staffing could be increased or adjusted to match people's needs.
“Medicines were administered safely with accurate records available to show which medicines people had received.” from the report
Strong leadership
The service had a stable and supportive staff team. The manager promoted openness, learning and regular improvements.
“The registered manager and staff team used reflection and evaluation to continually strive to identify improvements to the service.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How would you assess and plan for my relative's needs before their first short break?
- 02How would staff communicate with my relative if they could not use speech?
- 03What training and experience do staff have for my relative's specific health, feeding or medicines needs?
- 04How would staffing levels change if my relative needed one-to-one or two-to-one support?
- 05How would you support my relative to continue familiar routines and achieve personal goals during a stay?
This was a planned inspection of the overall quality of the home, covering all five CQC questions and reviewing care, medicines, staffing, training and quality records. This explanation was written from the published report of 4 July 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 Blaydon Lodge
2 rated inspections over 3 years: the service has improved, from Good to Outstanding.
- March 2022Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- July 2018Outstandingup from GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: OutstandingResponsive: GoodWell-led: Outstanding
- December 2015GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- October 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- April 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- August 2012
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 30 August 2012.
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
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48 live-in carers within about an hour of Gateshead
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 £950 to £1,240 a week. 42 can care for a couple. 10 years' experience on average.
“Petty introduced herself to Mum every time she was caring for her and responded very quickly to Mum if she was distressed in the night.”
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.