CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Chevington Lodge
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- People felt safe and there were enough staff to meet their needs. Medicines, equipment, infection control and accident records were managed appropriately, although some risk assessments needed more detail.
- Effective?
- Good
- People's needs were assessed, staff were trained, and people received suitable food and healthcare support. Inspectors said mealtimes could be improved for people living with dementia, especially the time spent waiting and the way choices were offered.
- Caring?
- Good
- People and relatives described staff as kind, friendly and respectful. Staff knew people's histories, preferences and needs, and supported independence and involvement in care decisions.
- Responsive?
- Good
- Care plans were becoming more personalised, and the home had increased activities and one-to-one time. The new care plan format was not yet in place for everyone.
- Well-led?
- Good
- People, relatives and staff spoke positively about the management and new providers. Audits and an improvement plan were being used to identify and address areas for development.
What inspectors found, July 2019
Chevington Lodge was rated Good; inspectors found kind, safe care with some improvements still needed for dementia support and care records.
The unannounced inspection took place on 12 June 2019. One inspector spoke with people living in the home, relatives, staff, owners and managers. They observed care and checked care records, staff files, medicines, recruitment, training and quality checks.
All five areas were rated Good: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. People told inspectors they felt safe and that staff were kind, respectful and knew them well. There were enough suitably trained staff, medicines were managed safely, and people received help with food, healthcare and activities.
The home had plans to improve some care records and make the environment easier for people living with dementia to use. Inspectors also found that mealtimes could be less worrying for some people with dementia, and that risk assessments could contain more detail. This was the first inspection since the new provider registered the service in July 2018.
Kind and personal care
People and relatives said staff were kind, friendly and respectful. Inspectors saw staff treating people with understanding and compassion.
“We observed that staff treated people with kindness, understanding and compassion.” from the report
Enough trained staff
People and staff said there were enough staff to respond promptly. Staff were trained and checked as suitable and competent for their roles.
“People told us they felt there were enough staff to meet their needs.” from the report
Safe medicines management
Medicines were administered by trained staff, with audits used to find and address problems. The person giving medicines on each shift was not also providing direct care.
“Medicines were managed, monitored and administered safely.” from the report
Strong quality checks
The providers used audits and an improvement plan to identify areas for development and track action. They also sought ideas from another care home rated Outstanding.
“There was a robust, comprehensive and detailed quality assurance system in place which covered all aspects of service provision.” from the report
Risk records needed more detail
needs fixingInspectors found that some risk assessments did not explain in enough detail how risks should be reduced. Staff understood the risks, but the written information could be clearer.
“However, some of these risk assessments could be improved to include more detailed information about reducing risks.” from the report
Mealtimes could be less distressing
needs fixingSome people living with dementia waited at the table for a long time before food was served. This caused anxiety for some people who needed repeated reassurance.
“We observed that this caused anxiety for some people who needed a lot of reassurance from staff about what was happening.” from the report
Dementia-friendly food choices
minorInspectors said the home could do more to help people living with dementia choose their meals, such as showing the food options or using pictures.
“Some changes could also be made to support people living with dementia to make a meaningful choice about what they would like to eat.” from the report
Care plans still being changed
needs fixingA more personalised care plan format was being introduced, but it was not yet in place for everyone. The new plans seen by inspectors contained enough information for staff.
“This new format was still in the process of being implemented for all people using the service.” from the report
- 01How have you improved mealtimes for people living with dementia since the inspection?
- 02Are the more detailed and personalised care plans now in place for every resident?
- 03How do you make sure risk assessments explain clearly how each person's risks should be reduced?
- 04How are activities tailored to each person's interests, including people who spend most of their time in bed?
- 05How do you check that medicines continue to be administered safely on every shift?
This was the first unannounced inspection since the service was registered under the new provider, and it covered all five CQC questions. This explanation was written from the published report of 6 July 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 Chevington Lodge
Each visit the CQC has published, newest first, back to the day the home was registered.
- July 2019Goodcurrent ratingSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- July 2018
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 5 July 2018.
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
23 live-in carers within about an hour of Suffolk
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 £1,260 a week. 17 can care for a couple. 7 years' experience on average.
“Not only was she professional, polite and efficient but she bought a lovely smile and laughter to my parents home.”
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.