CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Eighton Lodge Residential Care Home
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
What inspectors found, September 2022
Rated Requires Improvement; inspectors found unsafe medicines management and weak oversight, although care was often kind and effective.
This was an unannounced focused inspection on 21 June, 27 June and 19 July 2022. Inspectors reviewed care and medicines records, staffing and training information, safety checks and governance records. They spoke with people, relatives and staff and observed care in communal areas.
The main problems were with medicines and record keeping. Records did not show clearly that medicines, including creams, patches and medicines given when needed, were administered as prescribed. Medicine audits had not been completed for a month, and some incidents had not been recorded or investigated properly.
Inspectors also found weak management oversight. Care plans did not include all the information staff needed, and quality checks were incomplete or ineffective. Staff generally knew people's needs, there were enough staff, and people and relatives described kind support. Infection control practices were not always followed, although COVID-19 precautions were in place.
The overall rating fell from Good at the previous inspection, published on 2 March 2022, to Requires Improvement. Safe and Well-led were rated Requires Improvement. Effective remained Good. Caring and Responsive were not included in this focused inspection, so their previous ratings carried over.
Kind staff support
People and relatives were positive about the support from staff. Inspectors also saw many positive interactions between staff and people.
“People's experience of using this service and what we found” from the report
Enough staff
Inspectors found there were enough staff to meet people's needs, and staffing levels were reviewed regularly.
“Staff were recruited safely by the provider and there was enough staff to safely support people.” from the report
Good staff training
Staff received ongoing training, supervision and refresher training. New permanent staff had the required pre-employment checks.
“Staff received on-going training and supervision to support them in their role.” from the report
Healthcare support
Staff worked with GPs, district nurses and other healthcare professionals to support people's needs in a timely way.
“People were supported to access other healthcare professionals and services by staff in a timely way.” from the report
Choice and involvement
People and relatives were involved in care planning. Staff knew people's preferences and choices, and care was delivered in line with the Mental Capacity Act.
“People, relatives and other healthcare professionals were involved in all aspects of care planning and reviews.” from the report
Medicines records
seriousMedicine records did not give assurance that people received medicines as prescribed. Records for creams, patches and medicines given when needed were incomplete or missing important information.
“Medicines were not managed safely. Medicine records did not contain all of the information required for staff to follow to safely support people.” from the report
Incomplete care plans
needs fixingCare plans did not contain all the information staff needed to support people effectively, even though staff told inspectors what support people required.
“Care plans did not contain all of the information required to support people effectively, but we were assured that staff were meeting people's needs.” from the report
Infection control
needs fixingSome personal care items, including creams and shower gels, were left in corridors and bathrooms. Inspectors recommended that staff follow best practice infection prevention guidance.
“People were not always protected from the risk of infection as staff did not always follow best practice infection prevention processes.” from the report
Agency staff induction
minorThe records did not show whether agency staff had received the provider's full induction.
“Records did not show that agency staff had received the provider's induction.” from the report
- 01What changes have you made to ensure medicines, including creams, patches and medicines given when needed, are recorded accurately?
- 02How often are medicine audits now completed, and can you show us the most recent audit and any actions taken?
- 03How have you updated care plans so they include all the support each person needs?
- 04What checks are now in place to make sure quality records are complete and problems are identified quickly?
- 05How do you confirm that agency staff have completed the provider's full induction?
This was an unannounced focused inspection of Safe, Effective and Well-led, with infection control included under Safe; Caring and Responsive were not inspected and their previous ratings carried over. This explanation was written from the published report of 8 September 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, March 2022
Eighton Lodge Residential Care Home was rated Good overall, but inspectors found incomplete records for some medicines and rated leadership Requires Improvement.
Inspectors visited on three dates, spoke with people, relatives and staff, and checked care, medicines, recruitment and management records. They also checked infection control and COVID-19 vaccination requirements.
People generally said they were happy. Inspectors saw kind and respectful care, enough staff, good infection control, personalised support and suitable activities. The ratings for Safe, Effective, Caring and Responsive were Good.
Some records for prescribed patches and creams were incomplete. Some had been added after the first inspection visit, so inspectors could not be sure they were accurate. The home was asked to improve these records.
The overall rating stayed Good, as it was at the previous inspection. However, the Well-led rating fell from Good to Requires Improvement because leadership and record-keeping were not always consistent.
Kind and respectful care
Inspectors saw relaxed, positive relationships between staff and people. Staff supported people patiently and respected their dignity, independence and preferences.
“Interactions between people and staff were relaxed. People knew staff well and we saw them chatting, smiling and showing affection.” from the report
Enough staff
There were enough staff to meet people's needs. Inspectors saw staff supporting people and found that call bells were answered quickly.
“There were enough staff to meet people's needs and keep them safe. Staff were visible supporting people around the home and call bells were answered quickly.” from the report
Personalised support
Care plans included people's interests, previous lives and preferences. Staff supported people to follow their chosen routines and take part in activities.
“People received person-centred care. People were encouraged to make choices about their day to day care.” from the report
Good infection control
The home was clean and infection control arrangements were effective. Visiting was supported safely under the guidance in place at the time.
“We were assured that the provider was using PPE effectively and safely.” from the report
Incomplete medicine records
needs fixingRecords for medicines given as patches or creams were not always complete. Some records were added retrospectively, so inspectors could not be sure they were accurate.
“Records relating to medicines which were administered in the form of a patch or cream were not always complete.” from the report
Leadership and checks
needs fixingThe Well-led rating fell to Requires Improvement because management systems did not always ensure accurate medicine records. The provider was asked to improve record-keeping.
“We recommend the provider ensures accurate and complete records are kept regarding medicines administered in the form of a patch or cream.” from the report
Emergency records
minorWhere people chose to lock their bedroom doors at night, this was not always recorded consistently in care records and emergency evacuation plans.
“Where people chose to lock their bedroom doors at night this was not always consistently reflected in care records and individual PEEPs.” from the report
- 01How are prescribed patches and creams recorded now, and how do you check that the records are complete and accurate?
- 02What action was taken to make sure bedroom door arrangements are recorded consistently in care plans and emergency evacuation plans?
- 03What improvements has the new manager made since the inspection?
- 04How do you check that staffing levels remain sufficient for people's needs, especially at busy times?
- 05How are relatives involved in reviewing care plans and giving feedback about the service?
This was an unannounced inspection covering all five key questions, including infection control and COVID-19 vaccination requirements; the overall rating remained Good but the Well-led rating changed from Good to Requires Improvement. This explanation was written from the published report of 2 March 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 Eighton Lodge Residential Care Home
5 rated inspections over 7 years: the service has held its Requires improvement rating throughout.
- September 2022Requires improvementcurrent ratingdown from GoodSafe: Requires improvementEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Requires improvement
Read what inspectors found at Eighton Lodge Residential Care Home →
- March 2022Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodWell-led: Requires improvement
Read what inspectors found at Eighton Lodge Residential Care Home →
- April 2018Goodup from Requires improvementSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- December 2016Requires improvementstayed Requires improvementSafe: Requires improvementEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Requires improvement
- June 2015Requires improvementSafe: Requires improvementEffective: Requires improvementCaring: GoodResponsive: Requires improvementWell-led: Good
- December 2013
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 28 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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