CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Broughton Lodge
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
What inspectors found, May 2023
Broughton Lodge is rated Requires Improvement; inspectors found kind care but gaps in risk management and oversight put people at increased risk of harm.
This was an unannounced inspection on 21 March 2023. One inspector and an Expert by Experience spoke with four people, 13 relatives and five staff. They also observed care and checked care, medicines, recruitment and quality records.
People and relatives generally spoke positively about the staff and said people felt safe. Inspectors found enough staff, good infection control, safe safeguarding practices and support for people's choices. However, some risks were not properly assessed or explained to staff, including choking risks and behaviours that might challenge.
The home was rated Requires Improvement for Safe and Well-led. Its systems for checking quality did not find or correct the problems. The rating fell from Good at the 2019 inspection. The provider must send an action plan, and CQC will monitor progress.
People felt safe
People and relatives said they felt safe with the care and support. Staff had safeguarding training and understood how to report concerns.
“People and their relatives told us they felt safe with the care and support they or their relative received.” from the report
Enough staff
Inspectors found enough staff to keep people safe and meet their needs. People were supported by a consistent team who knew them.
“We observed there were enough staff to keep people safe and meet their needs.” from the report
Clean and infection-safe
The home was clean and well maintained. Inspectors were assured that infection prevention measures, including the use of protective equipment, were effective.
“The service was clean and well maintained.” from the report
Positive staff culture
Staff said they felt supported and that morale was good. Inspectors found a friendly atmosphere and staff who knew people well.
“The management team promoted a positive culture, which supported the delivery of person centred care and support.” from the report
Medicines usually given safely
People received medicines safely and as prescribed. Staff had training and competency checks, and medicines were stored appropriately.
“People received their medicines safely and as prescribed.” from the report
Weak quality checks
seriousAudits did not identify or correct the problems with risk assessments, medicines records and recruitment records. This meant there was not enough oversight of safety.
“These systems and processes were not effective at identifying and addressing the issues we found during the inspection.” from the report
Recruitment records incomplete
needs fixingSome recruitment files did not clearly explain why references were missing, and staff interview records were not detailed enough.
“Where 2 employment references could not be obtained in line with procedure, we found the reasons were not clearly documented and records of staff interviews were not detailed.” from the report
- 01Have all choking risks and risks linked to specific behaviours now been assessed and added to care plans?
- 02How do you check that staff understand and follow the updated risk guidance?
- 03How are as-required medicines and handwritten medicines records now checked for accuracy?
- 04How do you make sure recruitment files contain clear reference and interview records?
- 05What actions were included in your action plan, and what evidence can you show of progress since the inspection?
This inspection rated Safe and Well-led only; the other key question ratings were not given in this report. This explanation was written from the published report of 18 May 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, February 2022
Inspected but not rated; inspectors found good infection control and visiting arrangements, with some staff vacancies covered by existing staff and temporary workers.
This was an unannounced, targeted inspection on 2 February 2022. It focused on infection prevention and control during the COVID-19 pandemic, visiting arrangements and staffing pressures.
Inspectors found that the home had suitable arrangements for visitors, including booking visits, cleaning the visitor room and checking testing and vaccination status. Staff used protective equipment correctly, and there was enough protective equipment and testing equipment.
The home had some staff vacancies. Shifts were covered by existing staff, bank staff or agency workers. The report says the home remained well staffed throughout the pandemic.
The home was inspected but not rated. This means the inspection did not give a quality rating for the service or a full set of ratings for the five areas.
Visiting arrangements
The home had a visiting policy, a booking system and a cleaned room for visits. These arrangements had been discussed with relatives.
“The provider had a visiting policy in place, in line with current guidance.” from the report
Protective equipment
Staff were observed using protective equipment correctly. The home had plentiful supplies and areas for putting on and removing it.
“The service had a plentiful supply of PPE and testing equipment.” from the report
Infection control training
Staff received infection prevention and control training covering protective equipment and handwashing. Compliance was monitored by the registered manager.
“Staff received infection prevention and control training.” from the report
Staffing cover
Although there were vacancies, the home covered shifts with existing staff, bank staff or agency workers and remained well staffed throughout the pandemic.
“The service had a number of staff vacancies but had remained well staffed throughout the pandemic.” from the report
Staff vacancies
minorA few staff had left and recruitment was difficult in the area. The report says vacant shifts were being covered, but families should check how this is working now.
“A few staff had left the service. Recruitment is difficult in the area but vacant shifts were being covered by the staff team, by bank staff or agency workers.” from the report
- 01How many staff vacancies are there now, and how are vacant shifts being covered?
- 02How often are bank or agency workers used, and are they familiar with residents' needs?
- 03Are the visiting arrangements and infection control measures still the same as those described in the report?
- 04How are staff training and compliance with protective equipment and handwashing checked now?
- 05What were the home's infection testing and outbreak arrangements after this inspection?
This was an unannounced targeted inspection of infection prevention and control, visiting arrangements and staffing pressures; it did not assess the other four questions or provide an overall quality rating. This explanation was written from the published report of 25 February 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.
Every inspection of Broughton Lodge
3 rated inspections over 5 years: the service has held its Requires improvement rating throughout.
- May 2023Requires improvementcurrent ratingSafe: Requires improvementEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: Requires improvementWell-led: Requires improvement
- February 2022Inspected but not ratedSafe: Inspected but not rated
- July 2020Inspected but not ratedSafe: Inspected but not rated
- February 2019Goodup from Requires improvementSafe: GoodWell-led: Good
- January 2018Requires improvementSafe: Requires improvementEffective: Requires improvementCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Requires improvement
- November 2016
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 14 November 2016.
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
How to read CQC ratings and reports
What to check when you visit
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 £1,370 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.