CQC report explained · a nursing home
What the CQC found at Field Lodge
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
What inspectors found, March 2023
Rated Good; inspectors found people were safe and well cared for, but medicines records and reviews of errors needed improvement.
This was an unannounced inspection on 16 February 2023. Inspectors reviewed information held about the home, spoke with 8 people, 12 relatives and 10 staff, observed care and medicines, and checked records including care plans, recruitment files and quality audits.
The home was rated Good overall, with Safe and Well-led also rated Good. Inspectors found enough trained staff, safe recruitment, suitable safeguarding arrangements, regular risk reviews, safe medicines administration and good infection control. People and relatives said they felt safe and well supported.
There were some gaps in medicines records. The home had not reviewed all medication errors together to identify wider patterns, and its medicine administration record codes were not consistent with current best practice. The overall rating improved from Requires Improvement at the previous inspection, published on 2 June 2020.
People felt safe
People and relatives told inspectors they felt safe. Staff had safeguarding training and knew how to report concerns.
“People and their relatives we spoke with felt safe at the service.” from the report
Staffing and recruitment
Inspectors found enough staff to meet people's needs. Recruitment checks included references and criminal record checks.
“There were enough staff available to support people care and support needs.” from the report
Risk management
Risk plans were reviewed and updated when people's needs changed. Accidents, incidents and falls were recorded and reviewed for lessons.
“The provider's risk management plans helped ensure people were supported to manage risks in relation to their health and wellbeing.” from the report
Open management
Relatives were involved in care planning and said they received updates when people were unwell or had accidents. The home used meetings, audits and action plans to improve care.
“The provider had systems and processes in place which enabled them to effectively assess, monitor and improve the quality and safety of the service.” from the report
Medicine records and error reviews
needs fixingInspectors found some gaps in medicines records. Although individual errors were reviewed, the home did not review all errors together to look for patterns, and its medication record codes were not consistent with current best practice.
“However, we found some gaps in records which we raised with the registered manager.” from the report
Medication record codes
needs fixingThe codes used on medicine administration records were not consistent with current best practice. Inspectors made a recommendation for improvement.
“We found this was not consistent with current best practice and have made a recommendation below.” from the report
- 01What has changed in the medicines records since inspectors found gaps?
- 02How do you now review medication errors together to identify patterns and prevent them happening again?
- 03Have the medicine administration record codes been changed to follow current best practice?
- 04How will you keep me informed if my relative has a fall, becomes unwell or has a medicines error?
- 05How can relatives take part in care planning and raise concerns with the manager?
This was an unannounced inspection of Safe and Well-led; the other key questions were not inspected and their previous ratings were used to calculate the overall rating. This explanation was written from the published report of 23 March 2023 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 2021
Field Lodge was inspected but not rated; inspectors found strong infection-control arrangements, but staff were starting work before receiving COVID-19 test results.
This was an announced, targeted inspection on 16 February 2021. It checked infection prevention and control arrangements during a coronavirus outbreak. Inspectors reviewed the home, spoke with staff and asked for infection-control policies and audit records.
Inspectors found good arrangements for visitors, PPE, hand hygiene, cleaning, ventilation and managing possible infections. People could also use tablets to keep in touch with family and friends. Visits were suspended at the time because of the outbreak.
The home was rated “Inspected but not rated”. This means the inspection looked at infection control only and did not give an overall quality rating.
Visitor safety
The home had an appointment system and a separate visiting area with screening, PPE, social distancing measures and an emergency call bell. Visits were suspended during the outbreak.
“There was an area where visitors could visit their family member/friend by appointment.” from the report
Keeping in touch
Staff helped people use tablets to make video calls with family and friends while visiting was restricted.
“People were supported by staff to use computer tablets to video call family and friends.” from the report
PPE and hygiene
Inspectors saw staff wearing PPE correctly and found hand-hygiene checks and PPE checks in place.
“Staff seen wore their PPE correctly including face masks.” from the report
Clean surroundings
The areas inspectors visited looked clean and uncluttered. Frequently touched surfaces were cleaned regularly and this was recorded.
“The areas in the home visited looked visibly clean.” from the report
Staff testing before shifts
seriousStaff were tested twice a week but walked to the staff room, changed and started work before receiving their result. Inspectors said this increased the risk to other staff and people.
“Staff, before getting their result would walk through to the staff room, change into their uniform and commence work.” from the report
- 01Do staff now wait for their COVID-19 test results before entering work areas or starting their shifts?
- 02How is the change to staff testing practice checked and recorded?
- 03Are visits currently available, and what checks and protective equipment are required?
- 04How are new residents or people returning from outside appointments isolated and monitored?
- 05How often are frequently touched surfaces cleaned, and how is this recorded?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control during a coronavirus outbreak; it was not a full assessment of the home's overall quality of care. This explanation was written from the published report of 17 March 2021 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 Field Lodge
4 rated inspections over 8 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- March 2023Goodcurrent ratingSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- March 2021Inspected but not ratedSafe: Inspected but not rated
- June 2020Requires improvementdown from GoodSafe: Requires improvementWell-led: Requires improvement
- August 2017Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: OutstandingWell-led: Good
- June 2015GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- June 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- February 2014
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 3 February 2014.
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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17 live-in carers within about an hour of Cambridgeshire
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 £1,200 a week. 14 can care for a couple. 12 years' experience on average.
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.