CQC report explained · a nursing home
What the CQC found at Foxearth Lodge Nursing Home
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors found enough staff, suitable safeguarding arrangements, risk assessments, safe recruitment and generally safe medicines management. One medicines stock record did not match the administration record, and this was being followed up.
- Effective?
- Good
- People's needs were assessed and care was delivered using recognised guidance. Inspectors noted that meal delivery in the dementia unit needed better organisation, some training records were not up to date, and evening snack and drink offers were not always recorded.
- Caring?
- Good
- People and relatives spoke warmly about staff. Inspectors observed staff being kind, respectful and patient, while supporting people's privacy, dignity, independence and choices.
- Responsive?
- Good
- Care plans were personalised and informative, and staff knew people's needs and preferences. People had access to activities and could raise concerns, but relatives had not always been involved in care planning and reviews.
- Well-led?
- Good
- The home had quality checks, audits and systems for listening to people, relatives and staff. Relatives reported some inconsistencies, but inspectors found the manager approachable and saw that concerns were acted on.
What inspectors found, March 2023
Rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and personalised care, with some improvements still needed around mealtimes and family involvement.
The inspection was unannounced and took place on 06 March 2023, 08 March 2023 and 20 March 2023. Inspectors spoke with people living at the home, relatives and staff. They also reviewed care records, medicines records, recruitment files, audits and safety checks.
The home was rated Good in all five areas: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. Inspectors found enough staff, safe medicines systems, detailed care plans and kind support. People could see relatives when they wished, join activities and access health professionals.
The report also found some areas to improve. Meal support in the dementia unit was not always well organised. Relatives had not always been involved in care reviews, some staff training records were not up to date, and recording of evening snacks and drinks needed review. This was the first inspection since a change of provider.
Safe staffing
Inspectors observed call bells being answered promptly and staff were visible and accessible. Recruitment checks were also in place.
“There were sufficient staff to meet peoples needs.” from the report
Personalised care
Care plans included people's needs, preferences and communication requirements. Staff were able to describe what mattered to people.
“People's care plans were detailed and informative and reflected their needs.” from the report
Kind and respectful staff
People and relatives spoke positively about staff. Inspectors saw staff explain medicines carefully and respect people's dignity and privacy.
“Staff spoke to people in a kind and respectful way” from the report
Activities and relationships
People could take part in activities that suited their interests, including music, crafts and gardening. Relatives were welcome to join in.
“People were supported to take part in activities of their choosing.” from the report
Management and quality checks
The home used audits, meetings and surveys to monitor quality and gather views. Inspectors found the manager approachable and responsive to feedback.
“The provider had a range of governance systems and audits to monitor quality” from the report
Mealtime organisation
needs fixingInspectors found that meal delivery in the dementia unit could be better organised. They made a recommendation so people receive timely support with meals.
“We recommend that the delivery of meals are reviewed to ensure that people receive timely support.” from the report
Family involvement in reviews
needs fixingSome relatives had not been actively involved in care reviews and said communication could be improved. The manager had plans to involve relatives more.
“Relatives had not been actively involved in care reviews and some told us that communication could be improved” from the report
Training records
needs fixingInspectors found some shortfalls in the training matrix, including training that was not up to date. The manager gave assurances that there was a plan to address this.
“We identified some shortfalls in the matrix where training was not up to date” from the report
Oral care
needs fixingThe home had not been able to access routine domiciliary dental care. Some relatives also raised concerns about how oral care was delivered, so extra monitoring was agreed.
“Some relatives expressed concerns about the delivery of oral care” from the report
Evening refreshments records
minorAn evening trolley provided hot drinks and sandwiches, but staff did not always record that these had been offered. The manager agreed to review this.
“staff were not always recording that this had been offered.” from the report
- 01What has changed in the dementia unit to make sure meals are delivered promptly and people receive help when they need it?
- 02How will you involve relatives in care planning and care reviews?
- 03Which staff training was out of date at the inspection, and has it now been completed?
- 04How do you monitor residents' oral care while routine domiciliary dental care is unavailable?
- 05How do you record and check that evening drinks and snacks have been offered?
This was an unannounced inspection covering all five CQC key questions, including infection prevention and control during a COVID outbreak, and it was the first inspection since the change of provider. This explanation was written from the published report of 25 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.
Every inspection of Foxearth Lodge Nursing Home
Each visit the CQC has published, newest first, back to the day the home was registered.
- March 2023Goodcurrent ratingSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- January 2022
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 31 January 2022.
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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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.