CQC report explained · a nursing home
What the CQC found at Bryony Lodge Nursing Home
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
What inspectors found, January 2022
Bryony Lodge Nursing Home was inspected but not rated; inspectors found strong COVID-19 infection control arrangements.
This was an announced, targeted inspection on 11 January 2022. Inspectors looked mainly at infection prevention and control, visiting arrangements and staffing pressures linked to COVID-19.
The home had updated COVID-19 policies, regular testing and visitor screening. Inspectors were assured that people were admitted safely, visits were being supported and infections could be prevented or managed.
Staff had enough personal protective equipment, used it correctly and had received updated training. Cleaning schedules and extra cleaning of frequently touched areas were also in place.
The service was inspected but not rated. This inspection does not provide an overall quality rating or ratings for most areas of care.
Updated infection policies
The home had detailed COVID-19 procedures and kept them updated when national guidance changed.
“The policies and procedures were updated regularly following any changes in national guidance.” from the report
Visitor safety
Visitors were screened and had to show vaccination evidence and a negative lateral flow test before entering.
“All visitors, including professionals were subject to a range of screening procedures, including showing evidence of vaccination and a negative lateral flow test before entry into the home was allowed.” from the report
PPE and cleaning
There was plenty of PPE, staff used it correctly and the home had daily cleaning and touch-point cleaning arrangements.
“Daily cleaning schedules were implemented by housekeepers and all staff were involved in undertaking touch point cleaning.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How are you currently managing COVID-19-related staffing pressures, and have these affected people's care?
- 02What testing and screening do visitors and staff need to complete before entering the home?
- 03How do you support visits when a visitor cannot enter the home?
- 04How often are high-touch areas cleaned, and who checks that this has happened?
- 05When were the infection prevention and control policies last updated?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control, visiting arrangements and COVID-19-related staffing pressures; it did not rate the other areas of care. This explanation was written from the published report of 18 January 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, May 2018
Rated Good overall; inspectors found safe, kind care, but care records were not always accurate or up to date.
Inspectors visited on 26 February and 14 March 2018. The first visit was unannounced and the second was announced. They spoke with people, relatives and staff, and checked care records, medicines records, staff files and quality checks.
The home was rated Good for safe, effective, caring and well-led services. Inspectors found enough staff, safe medicines management, good training, respectful care, support with food and healthcare, and a clean and well-maintained home.
The home was rated Requires Improvement for being responsive. Some care plans and assessments were inaccurate, incomplete or not updated after people's needs changed. The new manager was reviewing the records, but this work was not finished at the time of the inspection.
Safe medicines
Medicines were stored, given and recorded safely. Staff had medicines training and their skills were checked.
“Medicines records accurately accounted for all medicines received, administered and disposed of in the home.” from the report
Staff support and training
Staff said they were well supported. Records showed that training, supervision, appraisals and induction were up to date.
“Records confirmed supervision, appraisal, induction and training were up to date.” from the report
Activities and choice
People could take part in activities linked to their interests. The home also supported people to make choices about daily life, food and routines.
“People had opportunities to participate in a range of activities, such as baking, games and arts and crafts.” from the report
Quality monitoring
The provider had checks covering areas such as medicines, health and safety and infection control. It used action plans when improvements were identified.
“The provider had a structured approach to quality assurance.” from the report
Care records were not always accurate
needs fixingSome assessments and care plans did not reflect people's current needs or preferences. One person's plan had not been updated after their capacity changed, and another contained conflicting information about showering.
“Further improvements were required to ensure care plans were accurate and updated in a timely way.” from the report
Recruitment policy was not always followed
needs fixingThe provider completed recruitment checks, including Disclosure and Barring Service checks, but second references were not always obtained in line with its own policy.
“Although the provider completed recruitment checks, these were not always done in line with the provider's recruitment policy.” from the report
- 01How do you now check that each person's care plan matches their current needs, preferences and legal arrangements?
- 02What changes have been made since the inspection to prevent inaccurate or conflicting care records?
- 03How do you make sure second employment references are obtained in line with your recruitment policy?
- 04What activities and outings are currently available, including for people who would benefit from transport?
- 05How can relatives take part in care plan reviews and raise concerns if information is out of date?
This was the home's first rating inspection and covered all five CQC questions, including care, safety, records, staffing and management. This explanation was written from the published report of 16 May 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 Bryony Lodge Nursing Home
Each visit the CQC has published, newest first, back to the day the home was registered.
- January 2022Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- May 2018GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: Requires improvementWell-led: Good
- February 2017
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 28 February 2017.
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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46 live-in carers within about an hour of Sunderland
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 £1,210 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.