CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Holly Lodge Residential Home Limited
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors were assured that infection prevention and control arrangements were safe. This included the use of protective equipment, testing, social distancing, cleaning and outbreak management.
- Effective?
- Good
- This area was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
- Caring?
- Good
- This area was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
- Responsive?
- Good
- This area was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
- Well-led?
- Good
- This area was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
What inspectors found, September 2020
Inspected but not rated; inspectors were assured that infection control arrangements were safe and found support to reduce isolation.
Inspectors visited on 14 August 2020. This was an announced, targeted inspection during the coronavirus pandemic. It looked at infection prevention and control in the home.
Inspectors were assured that the home was managing visitors, distancing, admissions, protective equipment, testing, cleaning and possible outbreaks safely. They also found that the infection control policy was up to date.
The home helped people stay in contact with family and friends through video calls and letters. It also used mental health checks and picture cards to support people during the pandemic.
Family contact
People were supported to keep in touch with friends and family using video calls and other technology.
“People were supported to keep in touch with friends and family by utilising technology such as, video chats.” from the report
Reducing isolation
Letters from children gave people a way to stay connected and helped reduce feelings of social isolation.
“People enjoyed replying and this had helped to ease any feelings of social isolation during the pandemic.” from the report
Mental health checks
The provider carried out regular mental health screening so that changes could be identified and acted on.
“The provider had carried out regular mental health screening for people to ensure any deterioration in their mental health was identified and acted on.” from the report
Communication support
Picture cards and diagrams were used to help people who had difficulty hearing staff through face masks.
“Picture cards were used if people had difficulty hearing staff through masks.” from the report
Infection control
Inspectors were assured that the home had effective arrangements covering visitors, protective equipment, testing, hygiene and possible outbreaks.
“We were assured that the provider was using PPE effectively and safely.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How do you currently help residents keep in touch with family and friends who cannot visit?
- 02How do you support residents who have difficulty hearing staff when masks are being worn?
- 03How often do you check residents' mental health, and what happens if you identify a deterioration?
- 04How do you currently provide protective equipment and testing for residents and staff?
- 05What arrangements are in place to prevent and manage an infection outbreak?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control during the coronavirus pandemic; it was not a full inspection and the service was not rated. This explanation was written from the published report of 5 September 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.
What inspectors found, October 2019
Holly Lodge Residential Home Limited was rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind care, with medicines storage improved during the inspection.
The inspection took place on 17 and 18 September 2019. It was unannounced on the first day. One inspector spoke with people living in the home, relatives, visitors and staff. They also reviewed care and medicines records and checked the building.
All five areas were rated Good: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. Inspectors found that people were protected from abuse and avoidable harm, received their medicines as they should, and had their risks assessed. The home was clean and well maintained.
People were supported to make choices and maintain their independence. Staff knew people's needs and preferences, worked with health professionals, provided activities and supported family contact. The rating remained Good from the previous inspection, published in January 2017.
Suitable staffing
People, relatives and staff said there were enough staff to keep people safe. Inspectors also observed appropriate staffing levels.
“People, relatives and staff told us staffing levels were enough to keep people safe.” from the report
Kind and respectful staff
Staff knew people's histories and preferences. Inspectors saw people being comfortable with staff and treated with dignity.
“Staff were knowledgeable about people's backgrounds and preferences.” from the report
Good health support
The home worked with GPs, nurses and other health professionals. Records showed action was taken to support people's health and avoid hospital admissions.
“The service worked effectively with healthcare professionals, so people received a good standard of care to maintain their health.” from the report
Activities and family contact
People had regular activities and could use technology to contact relatives by video. Visitors said they felt welcome and included.
“People had access to planned activities most days of the week which included quizzes, karaoke and exercises.” from the report
Management oversight
The provider and deputy manager used audits, meetings and feedback to monitor the home and make changes where needed.
“The service had quality assurance processes and systems to monitor and improve the service.” from the report
Medicines storage
minorMedicines were given safely, but storage arrangements did not consistently follow good practice guidance at the start of the inspection. The provider reviewed the system and changed it during the inspection.
“Good practice guidance was not consistently followed. The provider reviewed their systems and made changes during the inspection to ensure medicines were consistently stored safely.” from the report
- 01What changes were made to medicines storage during the inspection, and how do you check that the arrangements remain safe?
- 02How do you review and update a person's care plan when their needs change?
- 03What activities are currently available most days, and how are they matched to each person's interests?
- 04How do you involve relatives in reviews of care and in decisions about changing needs?
- 05How do you use complaints, meetings and audits to make improvements?
This was a planned inspection covering all five CQC questions, with an unannounced first day; the report says all five ratings remained Good from the previous inspection. This explanation was written from the published report of 17 October 2019 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 Residential Home Limited
3 rated inspections over 4 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- September 2020Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
Read what inspectors found at Holly Lodge Residential Home Limited →
- October 2019Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
Read what inspectors found at Holly Lodge Residential Home Limited →
- March 2017Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- June 2015GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Requires improvement
- November 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- March 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- January 2011
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 10 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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At least 100 live-in carers within about an hour of Stoke-on-Trent
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 £980 to £1,190 a week. 93 can care for a couple. 9 years' experience on average.
“She's shown compassion, patience and a level of understanding that no other carer has given.”
“She maintained a great environment for mum both with the tidiness and cleanliness of the house and Mum and with her caring and understanding attitude.”
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.