CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Lakeside Care Home
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors found enough staff, safe medicines systems, suitable recruitment checks and effective management of risks. Staff were trained in safeguarding and knew people's needs.
- Effective?
- Good
- No separate rating was given for this question in the report.
- Caring?
- Good
- No separate rating was given for this question in the report, although inspectors observed personalised and considerate care.
- Responsive?
- Good
- No separate rating was given for this question in the report.
- Well-led?
- Good
- The home was organised and led by two approachable managers. Audits, feedback, staff supervision and checks were used to monitor and improve the service.
What inspectors found, December 2023
Rated Good overall; inspectors found safe, kind care and strong management, with small process improvements noted.
Inspectors visited without notice on 24 October and 2 November 2023. They spoke with 13 people living at the home, six relatives, staff and the two managers. They also observed care and checked care, medicines, recruitment and management records.
The home was rated Good for Safe and Well-led. Inspectors found enough staff, safe medicines practice, suitable recruitment checks and good systems for managing risks. People appeared comfortable and said staff knew them well.
The managers were described as approachable and involved. They used audits, feedback and staff checks to monitor the service. Inspectors noted some improvements were still needed, including clearer signs in the laundry areas and better prompts on a recruitment form.
Enough staff
People and relatives said staff were available and did not seem rushed. Staff worked as a team and knew people's needs and preferences.
“There were sufficient staff to meet people's care needs.” from the report
Safe medicines
Medicines were administered and stored safely. Staff were trained, their competence was checked and records were well completed.
“There were well completed medicine administration records and good management systems to monitor and audit medicines.” from the report
Personalised care
Inspectors saw staff treating people with care and respect. Staff knew people well and supported them in a considerate way.
“Staff provided personalised care because they knew people well.” from the report
Strong management
The two managers divided responsibilities according to their skills and kept close oversight of care. The home used audits, spot checks and feedback to improve.
“There was a positive culture where there was an openness to learn and improve with quality assurance processes providing a foundation to ensure the service was well run.” from the report
Laundry signs
minorInspectors noted that clearer signs would help staff keep the clean and dirty laundry areas separate. This was a minor improvement identified during the visit.
“During the inspection, the registered managers decided the areas would benefit from clearer signage to remind staff about the separate areas.” from the report
Recruitment and CCTV information
minorThe managers recognised that the recruitment form needed clearer prompts. They also identified a need for improved signs about CCTV in communal areas.
“They recognised where they needed to make improvements, for example a clearer recruitment form with better prompts and improved signage regarding the use of CCTV in communal areas.” from the report
- 01What changes have been made to the laundry signs since the inspection?
- 02Has the recruitment form been updated with clearer prompts, and how are new staff checks completed?
- 03What information is now displayed about CCTV in communal areas?
- 04How will you make sure there are enough suitably skilled staff if people's care needs become more complex?
- 05How do you assess and review whether the home can meet a new resident's specific care needs?
This inspection gave ratings for Safe and Well-led only; no separate ratings were given for Effective, Caring or Responsive. This explanation was written from the published report of 14 December 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.
What inspectors found, April 2021
Inspected but not rated; inspectors found strong infection control arrangements, with the infection prevention policy needing further updating.
This was an announced, targeted inspection on 21 January 2021. It looked at how the home was prepared to prevent and control coronavirus infections, rather than providing a full inspection of all areas of care.
Inspectors found the premises clean and well maintained. Staff used protective equipment correctly, followed changing procedures, accessed weekly testing and supported people with testing and vaccination. Visiting arrangements, admissions and outbreak planning were also in place.
The inspectors were somewhat assured that the infection prevention and control policy was up to date. They signposted the provider to resources to continue developing its approach.
The service was inspected but not rated. This means the inspection did not give an overall quality rating or a rated score for safe care.
Clean premises
The premises were clean and maintained, with cleaning schedules and extra cleaning of frequently touched areas.
“The premises were clean and well maintained. Cleaning schedules were in place.” from the report
Protective equipment and testing
Staff used PPE appropriately and had weekly testing. People living at the home were supported with regular testing and had been offered the vaccine.
“Staff accessed weekly testing. People who used the service were also supported to access regular testing and had been offered the vaccine.” from the report
Visiting arrangements
The home had visiting pods and had used outdoor visiting arrangements. End of life visits continued with infection control measures.
“Two visiting pods had been established which visitors accessed through external doors rather than entering the building.” from the report
Support for wellbeing
Staff recognised the importance of people's wellbeing and took steps to reduce isolation, including support for social needs.
“The two registered managers and staff recognised the importance of maintaining people's well-being” from the report
Policy needed updating
needs fixingInspectors were not fully assured that the infection prevention and control policy was up to date. The provider was signposted to resources to develop its approach.
“We were somewhat assured that the provider's infection prevention and control policy was up to date.” from the report
- 01How has the infection prevention and control policy been updated since this inspection?
- 02How are staff and residents tested now, and how are vaccination arrangements managed?
- 03How would you manage a coronavirus outbreak at the home?
- 04What visiting arrangements are currently available, including for end of life visits?
- 05How are new residents admitted safely and supported during the admission process?
This was an announced, targeted inspection of infection prevention and control during the coronavirus pandemic; it did not provide a full service rating or assess all five areas of care. This explanation was written from the published report of 2 April 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 Lakeside Care Home
2 rated inspections over 5 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- December 2023Goodcurrent ratingSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- April 2021Inspected but not ratedSafe: Inspected but not rated
- November 2018GoodSafe: GoodWell-led: Good
- October 2017
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 16 October 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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17 live-in carers within about an hour of Devon
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 £1,270 a week. 15 can care for a couple. 13 years' experience on average.
“She is such a warm and gentle person while being professional and competent at the same time.”
“She looked after my mum, who can be incredibly challenging, so well and so gently, and we always felt confident that my mum was getting the best care available.”
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.