CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Down Lodge Residential Care Home
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors found safe systems for medicines, safeguarding, infection control and staff recruitment. Risks such as falls, malnutrition, dehydration and pressure injuries were assessed and managed.
- Effective?
- Good
- Staff had relevant training and their performance was monitored. People's care plans were reviewed when their needs changed, and they had access to healthcare and support with dietary needs.
- Caring?
- Good
- People said staff were friendly and caring. Inspectors saw staff providing unhurried, respectful and personalised support, including helping people maintain independence and personal routines.
- Responsive?
- Good
- Care plans recorded people's routines, communication needs, life histories and preferences. People could join activities, suggest improvements and receive personalised end-of-life care.
- Well-led?
- Good
- The manager was closely involved in the home and understood their regulatory responsibilities. Audits, staff meetings and feedback from residents were used to monitor and improve the service.
What inspectors found, November 2018
Down Lodge Residential Care Home rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and personalised care with effective management.
This was an unannounced, comprehensive inspection on 11 October 2018. One inspector spoke with people living in the home, relatives, the manager and care staff. They also reviewed care plans, staff files, complaints, incidents and quality records, and observed care.
The home was caring, calm and friendly. Inspectors found enough suitably skilled staff, safe medicines systems, suitable care plans, regular healthcare support and a clean environment. People were treated with dignity and supported to follow their own routines, interests and preferences.
All five areas were rated Good: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. The overall rating stayed Good, as it had been at the previous inspection in April 2016. The report found no serious risks or concerns.
Safe staffing and medicines
Inspectors found enough suitably skilled staff and safe arrangements for administering, recording and checking medicines.
“There were enough suitably skilled and qualified staff to meet people's needs.” from the report
Personalised care
Care plans reflected people's routines, preferences, histories and communication needs. Staff knew people well and adapted their support accordingly.
“People's care plans detailed their life history, family connections and contained details of any spiritual or cultural needs people had and how staff needed to meet them.” from the report
Kind and respectful support
People were treated with dignity and staff gave them time, patience and privacy. The home also supported people to remain as independent as possible.
“Staff supported people with their personal care in a respectful and discrete way.” from the report
Meaningful activities
People could take part in activities such as games, singing and exercise. They were also encouraged to develop friendships and suggest new activities.
“People were supported to participate in a range of activities to support their interests.” from the report
Strong management oversight
The manager was visible and involved in day-to-day care. Audits, staff supervision and resident meetings helped monitor quality and respond to feedback.
“The registered manager carried out audits and checks to monitor the quality and safety of the service.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How would you assess and manage my relative's risks, such as falls, malnutrition, dehydration or pressure injuries?
- 02How would you record and follow my relative's personal routines, communication needs, cultural needs and preferences?
- 03What activities would be available for my relative, and how could they suggest changes or new activities?
- 04How would you support my relative if their health changed or they needed hospital or specialist healthcare input?
- 05How would you record and follow my relative's wishes and preferences at the end of their life?
This was an unannounced, comprehensive inspection covering all five key questions, and the previous Good ratings were reviewed and maintained. This explanation was written from the published report of 1 November 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 Down Lodge Residential Care Home
2 rated inspections over 2 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- November 2018Goodcurrent ratingstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
Read what inspectors found at Down Lodge Residential Care Home →
- May 2016GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- May 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- November 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- August 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- May 2012
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 1 May 2012.
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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78 live-in carers within about an hour of Wokingham
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. 71 can care for a couple. 12 years' experience on average.
“I can truly say that Peter always put Dad at the centre of everything and I know that they found a great friendship in difficult times.”
“Not only has she looked after him beautifully, she has also been great company for him with lively conversation, kindness and humour.”
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.