CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Brook Lodge
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors found that choking risks were assessed and reviewed, staff followed eating and drinking support plans, and referrals were made to speech and language therapy when needed. They were also assured that infection prevention and control procedures were being followed.
- Effective?
- Good
- Does the care work? Training, consent, food and drink, working with GPs and nurses.
- Caring?
- Good
- Are people treated with kindness and dignity?
- Responsive?
- Good
- Is care built around the person? Care plans, activities, complaints.
- Well-led?
- Good
- Is the home run well? The manager, the culture, how problems get found and fixed.
What inspectors found, December 2020
Inspected but not rated; inspectors found that swallowing risks and infection control were being managed safely.
This was a targeted inspection on 9 and 10 December 2020. It followed notifications about two incidents involving swallowing difficulties and choking risks. The inspection did not examine the circumstances of those incidents because they were being considered separately through the serious incident process.
Inspectors reviewed records, spoke with staff and relatives, and observed staff supporting people at lunch. They looked at four people's choking risk assessments and support plans. They found that risks were understood, staff followed specialist guidance, and people were supported to eat and drink safely.
Inspectors were also assured that infection prevention and control arrangements were safe. The service was inspected but not rated. Its previous overall rating was Good, published in June 2019, and this targeted inspection did not change that rating.
Clear choking support plans
People with swallowing difficulties had individual assessments and eating and drinking support plans. Staff understood people's specific needs and followed the guidance observed by inspectors.
“We saw staff were following people's eating and drinking support plans when assisting people to eat and drink.” from the report
Staff training
Staff had training in managing choking risks, including first aid and de-choker training. Extra dysphagia training was provided after the incidents.
“Staff had received training in managing choking risks including first aid and 'de-choker' training.” from the report
Learning from incidents
The registered manager investigated the incidents, held a staff debrief and took action intended to prevent a repeat.
“A de-brief had been carried out with the staff team and additional dysphagia training had been provided to all staff.” from the report
Infection control
Inspectors were assured that the home had appropriate infection prevention and control arrangements, including safe use of protective equipment and testing.
“We were assured the service were following safe infection prevention and control procedures.” from the report
Recent choking incidents
needs fixingThe inspection was prompted by two incidents. Although nobody sustained serious injury, inspectors said the level of risk was significant. The circumstances of the incidents were not examined in this inspection.
“While no serious injuries were sustained, the level of risk to people was significant.” from the report
- 01How are each person's swallowing and choking risks currently assessed and reviewed?
- 02What extra dysphagia training did staff receive after the two incidents, and how is their competence checked?
- 03What changes were made after the incidents to help prevent a repeat?
- 04How quickly are speech and language therapy referrals made when someone's swallowing needs change?
- 05How are infection control procedures, protective equipment and testing kept under review?
This was a targeted inspection of specific swallowing and choking risks, with infection control also checked; it did not assess all five key questions or change the previous ratings. This explanation was written from the published report of 23 December 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, June 2019
Rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and person-centred care, with all five areas rated Good.
This was an unannounced inspection on 9 May 2019. One inspector reviewed three people's care records, four staff files and other management records. They spoke with the manager, four care staff and a visiting social care professional. After the visit, they received views from five relatives and three health and social care professionals.
The inspectors found that people were safe, their medicines were managed properly and there were enough trained staff. People received support with eating, healthcare, choices and independence. Staff treated people with dignity and knew them well.
Care plans were personalised and regularly updated. People were supported to maintain interests, relationships, religious beliefs and community links. The home had learned from a previous safety incident and had taken action. All five ratings were Good, meaning the inspectors found the legal requirements were met and care was consistently good in the areas checked.
Personalised support
Care plans were based on people's choices and needs and were updated when those needs changed. Staff supported people to take part in activities that mattered to them.
“Care plans were person centred, identified how people wished to be supported, up to date and regularly reviewed.” from the report
Safety and medicines
Risks were assessed, staff had safeguarding training and there were enough staff to meet people's needs. Inspectors found medicines were given as they should be.
“Medicines systems were organised, and people were receiving their medicines when they should.” from the report
Kind and respectful care
Staff knew people well, involved them in decisions and promoted their dignity and independence. Relatives reported positively on the care.
“People were supported and treated with dignity and respect; and involved as partners in their care.” from the report
Learning and leadership
The home had acted after a previous incident and used training, meetings and audits to improve practice. Staff and professionals described the leadership positively.
“The registered manager promoted continuous improvement in staff performance and ensured learning from events.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01What specific safeguarding lessons from the November 2018 incident still affect how staff work today?
- 02How will you assess and manage my relative's individual risks, including any risks linked to mobility, choking or behaviour?
- 03How will you involve my relative and family in creating and reviewing the care plan?
- 04How will you support my relative to keep their interests, relationships, religious beliefs and community activities?
- 05How do you check that medicines, including 'when necessary' medicines, are being used appropriately?
This was an unannounced planned inspection that looked at all five CQC questions; it followed a focused inspection in November 2018 that looked at Safe and Well-led after safety concerns. This explanation was written from the published report of 27 June 2019 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 Brook Lodge
3 rated inspections over 3 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- December 2020Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- June 2019Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- December 2018Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodWell-led: Good
- December 2016GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- June 2014
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 30 June 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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38 live-in carers within about an hour of Gloucestershire
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 £1,030 to £1,360 a week. 31 can care for a couple. 12 years' experience on average.
“She was very caring, kind and patient to all his needs, she built up a wondetful rapport with him, she was dedicated and was there for him through good times as well as through the tough times”
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.