CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Holly Lodge Care Home
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors were assured that the home was preventing and managing infection risks, including visitor checks, safe admissions, protective equipment, testing, hygiene and outbreak arrangements. The provider said it had measures to manage COVID-19-related staffing pressures.
- Effective?
- Good
- Does the care work? Training, consent, food and drink, working with GPs and nurses.
- Caring?
- Outstanding
- Are people treated with kindness and dignity?
- Responsive?
- Good
- Is care built around the person? Care plans, activities, complaints.
- Well-led?
- Good
- Is the home run well? The manager, the culture, how problems get found and fixed.
What inspectors found, March 2022
Holly Lodge Care Home: inspected but not rated; inspectors found good COVID-19 infection control arrangements.
This was a targeted, announced inspection on 11 February 2022. Inspectors looked at infection prevention and control during the COVID-19 response. They also asked about staffing pressures.
Inspectors found good practice. Visitor checks were in place, staff used protective equipment correctly, social distancing was promoted, and regular COVID-19 testing was taking place.
The home was assured on several infection control points, including safe admissions, hygiene, outbreak management, testing and its infection control policy. This inspection did not give the home an overall quality rating.
Visitor infection checks
The home carried out checks on visitors to reduce the risk of infection spreading.
“Checks on visitors were carried out to reduce the risk of them spreading infection.” from the report
Protective equipment
Supplies of protective equipment were available, and staff were seen using it correctly.
“Supplies of personal protective equipment (PPE) were in place, and staff were seen using this correctly.” from the report
Testing and distancing
The home promoted social distancing and carried out regular COVID-19 testing.
“Regular testing for COVID-19 was taking place.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01What measures are currently in place to manage COVID-19-related staffing pressures?
- 02How do you currently check visitors and visiting professionals for infection risks?
- 03How often are people living in the home and staff tested for COVID-19?
- 04How do you manage admissions and possible infection outbreaks?
- 05How do you make sure staff and visiting professionals meet the current COVID-19 vaccination requirements or have an exemption?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control, with questions about staffing pressures; it was not a full inspection and the service was not rated. This explanation was written from the published report of 3 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.
What inspectors found, February 2020
Rated Good overall, with Outstanding caring; inspectors found safe, effective and person-centred care.
This was the first inspection since the home registered. It was unannounced and took place on 8 and 13 January 2020. The inspector spoke with people, relatives and staff, observed care, and checked care, medicines and management records.
The home was rated Good overall. Safe, Effective, Responsive and Well-led were rated Good. Caring was rated Outstanding. Inspectors found enough staff, safe medicines practice, clear care plans, suitable training and systems to manage risks.
Inspectors found especially strong relationships between staff and people. Staff supported people's choices, interests, independence, community links and end of life wishes. The home had a warm atmosphere and worked with families, health professionals, schools and community groups.
Exceptionally caring staff
Staff built meaningful relationships and showed warmth, empathy and affection. They went beyond routine care to help people achieve important personal wishes.
“The service had a warm friendly atmosphere. Staff displayed genuine affection and were kind and considerate and had a real empathy with people.” from the report
Personalised support
People were treated as individuals and supported to make choices, remain independent and take part in activities that mattered to them.
“People were treated as individuals. Staff recognised what was important for each person and supported them to achieve positive outcomes.” from the report
Safe care arrangements
Inspectors found clear risk assessments, suitable recruitment checks, enough staff and safe medicines systems.
“Enough staff were deployed to meet the needs of people. Staffing levels were determined by people's needs and were regularly reviewed.” from the report
Strong activities and community links
The home offered individual and group activities and supported people to keep links with the local community. It also worked with children, students and community organisations.
“People had a range of activities to support their emotional, physical and social needs.” from the report
Good management oversight
Managers were visible, listened to feedback and used audits and information from other professionals to improve care.
“The registered manager was committed to continuous improvement. They undertook comprehensive audits and constantly reflected on the care and support provided.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How do you decide staffing levels when people's needs change?
- 02How are people's individual wishes and preferred activities recorded and reviewed?
- 03How do you check that medicines continue to be administered safely?
- 04How do you support people living with dementia to find their way around and stay independent?
- 05How do families contribute to care planning and give feedback about the service?
This was the first unannounced inspection of the newly registered home and covered all five CQC questions. This explanation was written from the published report of 12 February 2020 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 Holly Lodge Care Home
Each visit the CQC has published, newest first, back to the day the home was registered.
- March 2022Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- February 2020GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: OutstandingResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- January 2019
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 8 January 2019.
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.
Weigh the report against the rest
Fees, photos and reviews from families
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47 live-in carers within about an hour of County Durham
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 £960 to £1,210 a week. 42 can care for a couple. 10 years' experience on average.
“Petty introduced herself to Mum every time she was caring for her and responded very quickly to Mum if she was distressed in the night.”
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.