CQC report explained · a nursing home
What the CQC found at Heath Lodge
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
What inspectors found, March 2021
Heath Lodge was inspected but not rated; infection control was reassuring, but food and drink records were not always clear.
This was an unannounced targeted inspection on 14 January 2021. Inspectors followed up concerns about infection control and whether people were getting enough food and drink. They spoke with managers, staff and relatives, observed mealtime support, toured the home and reviewed three care records.
Inspectors found that people's nutritional needs were generally met. Staff assessed people at risk of losing weight, followed professional advice and provided suitable meals and drinks. However, records did not always clearly show how much people ate or drank. Staff also did not always try alternative ways to provide fluids when someone was unwell and refusing to drink.
Inspectors were assured that infection control procedures were being followed, including the use of protective equipment, cleaning, testing and visiting arrangements. The home was clean and tidy. The service was marked inspected but not rated because this was a targeted inspection, not a full review.
Infection control
The home appeared clean and tidy. Staff understood infection control procedures and had enough protective equipment and cleaning supplies.
“Staff demonstrated a good understanding of infection control procedures. The home environment appeared clean and tidy.” from the report
Support with nutrition
People at risk of weight loss were assessed and referred to health professionals when needed. Staff followed advice, monitored weight and food intake, and fortified meals where appropriate.
“People identified at risk of weight loss were assessed and referred to relevant health professionals when required.” from the report
Mealtime support
People were offered suitable meal choices and modified-texture meals where needed. Staff supported people gently and encouraged them to eat.
“Staff assisted people who required this gently and encouraged people to eat their meal.” from the report
Incomplete food and drink records
needs fixingRecords did not always clearly show how much people had eaten or drunk. This could make it harder to check whether someone was getting enough.
“However, staff did not always record clearly the amount people ate or drank.” from the report
Limited alternatives when people refused fluids
needs fixingWhen people were unwell and refusing drinks, staff did not always try other ways to introduce fluids, such as jellies.
“However, when people were unwell and refusing fluid staff did not always find alternative methods of introducing fluid such as the use of jellies.” from the report
- 01How do you now record exactly how much each person eats and drinks?
- 02What do staff do when someone is unwell and refuses fluids?
- 03How do you check that people at risk of weight loss are receiving and recording the right support?
- 04What infection control arrangements are currently in place for visitors, testing and protective equipment?
- 05What has changed since the inspection to address the gaps in food and drink records?
This was a targeted inspection of specific concerns about nutrition and infection control; it did not assess the whole service or all five key questions, and the previous ratings carried over. This explanation was written from the published report of 10 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.
What inspectors found, January 2021
Heath Lodge was inspected but not rated; inspectors found strong infection control arrangements during the targeted Covid-19 inspection.
Inspectors visited the home on 6 January 2021. The visit was announced and focused on infection prevention and control because the home was being used for people discharged from hospital with positive Covid-19 status.
They found good arrangements for visitors, including health screening, temperature checks, guidance and protective equipment. Staff had suitable areas for putting on and removing protective equipment, and there were supplies, cleaning systems and safe waste and laundry arrangements.
The home had plans to help people stay in contact with relatives and reduce loneliness. Inspectors said they were assured that the home met good infection prevention and control guidelines.
The service was inspected but not rated. This means the report does not give a full overall quality rating or ratings for all five areas of care.
Infection control
The home had strong procedures for visitors, staff, protective equipment, cleaning, waste and laundry. Inspectors were assured that infection risks were being managed well.
“We were assured that this service met good infection prevention and control guidelines as a designated care setting.” from the report
Keeping people connected
The home had plans to reduce loneliness by supporting phone and technology contact, window visits and activities in people's rooms.
“The management team had prepared ways for people to maintain social contact with family and friends via technology and phone calls.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01What is the home's most recent full inspection rating for areas that this targeted visit did not assess?
- 02How have infection prevention and control procedures changed since the January 2021 inspection?
- 03How will you support my relative to keep in contact with family and avoid loneliness?
- 04What testing, protective equipment and outbreak arrangements are currently in place?
- 05How will you assess and support my relative's individual care needs beyond infection control?
This was an announced targeted inspection of infection prevention and control in a designated care setting; the report did not rate the other four questions or give an overall rating. This explanation was written from the published report of 22 January 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 Heath Lodge
2 rated inspections over a year: the service has improved, from Requires improvement to Good.
- March 2021Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- January 2021Inspected but not ratedSafe: Inspected but not rated
- July 2018Goodup from Requires improvementSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Requires improvement
- October 2017Requires improvementSafe: Requires improvementEffective: GoodCaring: Requires improvementResponsive: GoodWell-led: Requires improvement
- May 2017
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 8 May 2017.
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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