CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Bullsmoor Lodge
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors were assured that infection risks were managed through cleaning, PPE, testing, social distancing, safe admissions and updated infection control policies. The provider also had measures to manage COVID-19-related staffing pressures.
- Effective?
- Good
- This area was not covered by this targeted inspection.
- Caring?
- Good
- This area was not covered by this targeted inspection.
- Responsive?
- Good
- This area was not covered by this targeted inspection.
- Well-led?
- Good
- This area was not covered by this targeted inspection.
What inspectors found, June 2022
Inspected but not rated; inspectors found good infection control and safe visiting arrangements, with some further development suggested.
This was a targeted inspection on 7 February 2022. It looked mainly at infection prevention and control, visiting arrangements and whether COVID-19 staffing pressures affected care. The visit was announced 24 hours in advance.
Inspectors were assured that the home used PPE and testing safely, kept the premises clean, managed infections and admissions safely, and followed social distancing and shielding guidance. Staff had suitable training, PPE and access to COVID-19 testing.
The home supported visits through a separate entrance, safety checks, testing and suitable protective equipment. The inspection did not give an overall rating or a rating for Safe. It was inspected but not rated.
Infection control
The home had measures to prevent and manage infections. Inspectors were assured about cleaning, PPE, testing, social distancing and safe admissions.
“We were assured that the provider was making sure infection outbreaks can be effectively prevented or managed.” from the report
Safe visiting
Visitors used a separate entrance and had access to testing and protective equipment. This helped the home carry out safety checks before visits.
“Relatives and other visitors to the service were asked to use a separate entrance.” from the report
Staff support
Staff were given training, PPE and access to COVID-19 testing. The provider also reported measures to reduce the risks from pandemic-related staffing pressures.
“Staff were provided with appropriate training, PPE and access to COVID-19 testing.” from the report
Visiting approach could be developed
minorInspectors signposted the provider to resources to develop its approach to visiting. The report does not give further detail about what needed improvement.
“We have also signposted the provider to resources to develop their approach.” from the report
- 01What changes have you made to your visiting approach since the inspection?
- 02How do you currently manage COVID-19 or other infection outbreaks?
- 03How are visitors supported with testing, PPE and safety checks now?
- 04How do you manage staffing pressures and make sure they do not affect people using the service?
- 05When was the home last fully assessed across caring, effectiveness, responsiveness and leadership?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control, visiting arrangements and COVID-19-related staffing pressures; it did not rate the overall service or the other four questions. This explanation was written from the published report of 17 June 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, January 2019
Rated Good; inspectors found kind, safe and personalised care, but mealtime staffing and some medicine guidance needed attention.
Inspectors visited the home without warning on 26 November 2018. They spoke with people, relatives, staff and health professionals. They reviewed care records, medicines records, recruitment files, training records and quality checks.
The home was rated Good in all five areas: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. People and relatives generally said they felt safe, received kind care and were happy with the service.
Inspectors found two areas needing attention. Staff were not always available on every floor during mealtimes, and guidance for some as-needed medicines was not always kept with the medicines records. The manager began addressing these issues during the inspection.
People felt safe
People and relatives told inspectors they felt safe. Staff understood safeguarding procedures, and individual risks were assessed and reviewed.
“People told us they felt safe living at Bullsmoor Lodge.” from the report
Kind and respectful care
Inspectors saw staff spending time with people and offering reassurance. People were treated with dignity and encouraged to be independent.
“We observed kind and caring interactions between staff and people who used the service.” from the report
Personalised care
Care plans described people's needs, preferences and communication styles. They were reviewed when people's needs changed.
“Comprehensive and person-centred care plans were in place for people which detailed their care needs and preferences” from the report
Activities and support
People had access to a range of activities, including trips and visits from entertainers. The home also planned support for people approaching the end of their lives.
“People were supported to lead active and fulfilling lives.” from the report
Regular quality checks
The home carried out regular audits and monitoring, including medicines checks, care plan reviews and safety checks.
“Regular auditing and monitoring of the quality of care was taking place.” from the report
Staffing during mealtimes
seriousStaff were not always present on floors where people ate in their bedrooms. One person's call bell was out of reach, which could have prevented them calling for help.
“We identified that staff deployment at mealtimes was not always effective and may have put people at risk of unsafe care.” from the report
As-needed medicine guidance
needs fixingInstructions for some as-needed medicines were not always kept with the medicine records. This could make it harder for staff to find the information when needed.
“We identified that guidance for staff on how to administer 'as needed' (PRN) medicines was not always contained in the person's medicines folder.” from the report
- 01How have you changed staff deployment during mealtimes since the inspection?
- 02How do you make sure people who eat in their bedrooms can always reach their call bells?
- 03Are instructions for every as-needed medicine now kept with the person's medicines records?
- 04How are care plans and risk assessments updated when a person's needs change?
- 05How can relatives take part in care planning and raise concerns?
This was an unannounced inspection covering all five rating areas, and the previous Good ratings continued. This explanation was written from the published report of 12 January 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 Bullsmoor Lodge
2 rated inspections over 3 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- June 2022Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- January 2019Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- May 2016GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- January 2015
Report published without a new overall rating.
- March 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- October 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- November 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- January 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- January 2011
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 27 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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At least 100 live-in carers within about an hour of Enfield
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 £980 to £1,260 a week. 79 can care for a couple. 11 years' experience on average.
“Over the time he spent with them he got to know our parents very well and became like part of the family, even joining in family celebrations.”
“Charity would take Nan on holidays day trips and shopping adventures”
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.