CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Blenheim Lodge
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
What inspectors found, August 2020
Inspected but not rated; inspectors found good infection control and support for residents during the coronavirus pandemic.
Inspectors visited the home on 5 August 2020. This was an announced, targeted inspection as part of a review of infection control in care homes.
They found good practice. Staff were following infection control guidance, supporting social distancing, using protective equipment safely and helping people keep in touch with family and friends.
The home was inspected but not rated. The report only assessed infection prevention and control, so it does not give an overall rating or ratings for the other areas of care.
Infection control
Inspectors were assured that the home had arrangements to prevent visitors catching or spreading infections and to manage infection risks.
“We were assured that the provider was preventing visitors from catching and spreading infections.” from the report
Social contact and activities
Staff provided activities in people's rooms and helped residents stay in contact with family and friends by phone and video call.
“Staff were providing additional one to one activities to people in their rooms and visited them frequently to maintain comfort and provide social stimulation.” from the report
Communication
The manager regularly communicated with residents, staff and relatives about the precautions being taken.
“The manager was communicating with people, staff and family members regularly to make sure everyone had an understanding of precautions being taken, and how to keep people safe.” from the report
Safe visiting
Relatives could book visits, and staff helped residents keep in touch through phone and video calls.
“Visitors could also book appointments to visit people in a safe way.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01What infection prevention and control arrangements are in place now, and what has changed since the August 2020 inspection?
- 02How do you currently manage visits so residents can see family and friends safely?
- 03How do you check that staff use protective equipment correctly and safely?
- 04How are new residents admitted safely and how is testing arranged for residents and staff?
- 05What activities and one-to-one social contact are available to residents now?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control measures during the coronavirus pandemic; it was not a full inspection and the service was inspected but not rated. This explanation was written from the published report of 27 August 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, December 2017
Rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and personalised care, with some mixed views about the food.
This was an unannounced inspection on 23 and 24 November 2017. The inspector spoke with people living in the home, relatives, staff and the manager. They observed lunch and checked care records, medicines, staffing, safety and quality checks.
The home was rated Good in all five areas: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. People said they felt safe and well cared for. Inspectors found enough staff, suitable training, detailed care plans, prompt health support and kind treatment.
People could make choices about their daily routines and received care based on their preferences. The home also provided activities and tried to support people to remain independent. Most people were positive about the food, although some said it had varied in quality.
The home was also rated Good at its previous inspection in October 2015. The report says no concerns had been identified since then and that the Good rating remained unchanged.
People felt safe
Everyone spoken to said they felt safe. Inspectors found clear safeguarding systems, suitable staff checks and enough staff to meet people's needs.
“All the people we spoke to told us they felt safe in the home and with the staff who supported them.” from the report
Kind and respectful care
Staff were seen speaking gently and helping people patiently. Privacy and dignity were protected during personal care and checks at night.
“During the inspection we saw staff supporting people and interacting with them in a kind and friendly manner.” from the report
Personalised choices
People could choose when to get up and go to bed, how to spend their day and whether to join activities or have time alone.
“People were able to make choices about all aspects of their day to day lives.” from the report
Good health support
Care records contained detailed health information. Inspectors found that concerns were acted on and that people received support from health professionals when needed.
“People's health was monitored and it was clear from people's comments and care records action was taken when people were unwell.” from the report
Strong leadership
The manager and senior staff were described as experienced and committed to person-centred care. Staff received support and training.
“The service was well run by a registered manager who had the skills and experience to run the home so people received high quality person-centred care.” from the report
Food was not consistent for everyone
minorMost people were positive about the food, but some people thought its quality varied. Families may want to ask how the home responds to changing food preferences.
“Other people said the food "varied" and had "ups and downs.” from the report
Staff could sometimes be busy
minorPeople generally said staff responded promptly, but one person said several call bells could ring at once. The report still found staffing levels sufficient overall.
“Sometimes up to four bells will ring in a row and then you know they are very busy.” from the report
- 01How do you make sure food quality and choices meet each person's preferences?
- 02What happens when several call bells ring at the same time, especially at night?
- 03How are care plans reviewed when a person's health or mobility changes?
- 04How do you support people who want to remain independent or spend time in their own rooms?
- 05How are relatives told about changes in a person's health or care?
This was an unannounced inspection covering all five areas: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. This explanation was written from the published report of 23 December 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 Blenheim Lodge
2 rated inspections over 2 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- August 2020Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- December 2017Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- November 2015GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- June 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- October 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- April 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- April 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- January 2011
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 7 January 2011.
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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76 live-in carers within about two hours of Somerset
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 £1,330 a week. 62 can care for a couple. 12 years' experience on average.
“She looked after my mum, who can be incredibly challenging, so well and so gently, and we always felt confident that my mum was getting the best care available.”
“She was not phased by anything, she was adaptable, kind & gave us complete confidence to go away & not worry about a thing!”
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.