CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Hunters Lodge
Not yet rated: the CQC has not published a rated inspection for this home, which is usual for a new registration.
What inspectors found, January 2022
Hunters Lodge was inspected but not rated; inspectors found strong COVID-19 infection controls, with some dining furniture needing repair.
This was an unannounced, targeted inspection on 5 January 2022. Inspectors looked at infection prevention and control, visiting arrangements and staffing pressures linked to COVID-19.
They found that testing, personal protective equipment, hand hygiene, cleaning and visiting arrangements were being managed well. People could continue activities, go out and receive visitors while following safety measures.
Inspectors found some ripped dining-chair covers and flooring in the dining room that needed replacing. The registered manager knew about this and was arranging the work.
The service was inspected but not rated. This means the visit did not give an overall quality rating or full ratings for all five areas of care.
Testing and infection control
The home used testing and followed infection prevention measures, including PPE, hand hygiene and cleaning of frequently touched areas.
“Staff and people followed robust testing in line with current government COVID-19 guidance.” from the report
PPE supplies
Inspectors saw PPE stations throughout the home and enough PPE available.
“PPE stations were available throughout the service and we saw there were sufficient stocks of PPE available.” from the report
Visits and activities
People were supported to go out, pursue activities and receive visits from family and friends while following safety procedures.
“People were supported to visit friends and family and receive visitors in their home.” from the report
Vaccination requirements
The home was meeting the requirement for non-exempt staff and visiting professionals to be vaccinated against COVID-19.
“The service was meeting the requirement to ensure non-exempt staff and visiting professionals were vaccinated against COVID-19.” from the report
Dining furniture and flooring
minorSome dining-chair covers were ripped and the dining-room flooring needed replacing. The manager was arranging contractors and said the chairs would be re-covered after the inspection.
“We found some chair covers on dining chairs were ripped and chairs required re-covering.” from the report
- 01Have the ripped dining-chair covers now been replaced?
- 02Has the dining-room flooring been replaced?
- 03How are current COVID-19-related staffing pressures affecting the people living here?
- 04How are visitors currently tested and supported to follow infection prevention procedures?
- 05How does the home support people to continue activities and go out safely?
This was an unannounced targeted inspection of infection prevention and control, visiting arrangements and COVID-19-related staffing pressures; it did not assess the other four key questions or provide an overall rating. This explanation was written from the published report of 26 January 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, September 2019
Rated Good; inspectors found kind, personalised care, with minor safety and records issues to check.
The inspection took place on 15 and 16 August 2019. The first visit was unannounced and the second was announced. Inspectors spoke with people, staff and a health professional, observed care, and checked care, medicine, recruitment and management records.
All five areas were rated Good: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. People were described as safe, treated with kindness and dignity, and supported to make choices, stay independent and keep in contact with others.
The home had improved from Requires improvement at the previous inspection in 2018. The report says the provider had fixed the earlier legal breaches and was no longer in breach of regulations. Inspectors did identify two shower units that could become too hot and a minor controlled-drugs recording error.
Improvement since the last inspection
The home had improved from Requires improvement to Good. Inspectors found that the previous legal breaches had been addressed.
“At this inspection we found improvements had been made and the provider was no longer in breach of regulations.” from the report
Kind and respectful care
People were treated with dignity and kindness. Staff supported people to make choices and remain as independent as possible.
“Staff appeared to me to be caring and treated people with dignity and respect.” from the report
Personalised support
Care plans included people's health, personal care, food and activity needs. Staff updated them when people's needs changed.
“People received care and support which met their individual needs and preferences.” from the report
Learning from incidents
The manager reviewed incidents and changed staff guidance and induction when needed. The report says there were no further incidents of the same type.
“Lessons were learnt from incidents.” from the report
Support to stay connected
People were helped to keep in touch with relatives and friends, attend day centres and take part in activities in the local community.
“People were supported to maintain contact with their relatives.” from the report
Shower temperatures
needs fixingTwo shower units could reach unsafe temperatures, creating a potential scalding risk. The manager said immediate action would be arranged.
“However, we found the temperature of two shower units could exceed safe levels.” from the report
Controlled-drugs records
minorThere was a minor recording error in the controlled-drugs records. The manager planned refresher training for staff.
“The registered manager told us they would be providing refresher training for care staff, on how to complete controlled drugs records, following a minor recording error.” from the report
Activities and staff breaks
minorStaff wanted to increase the range and frequency of activities. One staff member also said that staffing pressures sometimes meant breaks had to be shortened or delayed.
“We work hard all day and have to snatch breaks when we can.” from the report
- 01Were the two shower units adjusted or replaced, and how are shower temperatures checked now?
- 02What refresher training was provided after the controlled-drugs recording error?
- 03How often are activities now provided, and has their variety increased?
- 04How do you make sure staff have proper breaks while meeting people's care needs?
- 05Have the improvements described in this 2019 report been maintained?
This inspection covered the care home's premises and care, and personal care and support for one person in supported living, but not the supported living property's premises. This explanation was written from the published report of 4 September 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 Hunters Lodge
2 rated inspections over a year: the service has improved, from Requires improvement to Good.
- January 2022Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- September 2019Goodup from Requires improvementSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- August 2018Requires improvementSafe: Requires improvementEffective: Requires improvementCaring: Requires improvementResponsive: Requires improvementWell-led: Requires improvement
- December 2017
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 11 December 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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