CQC report explained · a nursing home
What the CQC found at Liberham Lodge
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
What inspectors found, July 2021
Inspected but not rated; inspectors found good COVID-19 infection prevention and control arrangements.
This was an announced, targeted inspection on 18 February 2021. It was carried out because the home had experienced a number of previous COVID-19 outbreaks.
Inspectors looked at infection prevention and control. They were assured that visitors, new admissions, residents and staff were protected through testing, isolation, distancing, zoning, hygiene measures and safe use of PPE.
The home had regular communication with relatives and reviewed visiting arrangements. The inspection did not give an overall quality rating, and the Safe question was marked inspected but not rated.
Visiting arrangements
Visits were risk assessed individually. This allowed people who were struggling during the pandemic or showing distress to have access to visitors while keeping people and relatives safe.
“Enhanced visiting processes in place and being reviewed to keep in line with Government guidance.” from the report
Communication with relatives
The home gave relatives regular updates about outbreaks, people's health and wellbeing, and ways to support people during the pandemic.
“There was a high level of communication with people and relatives through the pandemic.” from the report
Infection control measures
The home could divide people into zones during outbreaks and had PPE stations and clear signs for rooms where people were isolating. Staff were observed using PPE safely.
“During any outbreaks of Covid-19 in the home it had been possible to split the home into zones to minimize the spread of infection.” from the report
Safe admissions
Potential admissions were risk assessed in advance. New admissions had a 14-day isolation period and regular testing in line with government guidance.
“Any new admissions into the home were also subject to a 14-day isolation period and regular testing as per Government guidance.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How have your visiting arrangements changed since the inspection on 18 February 2021?
- 02How do you currently test new admissions, residents and staff for infections?
- 03How would you separate residents during an outbreak, and how would you communicate this to relatives?
- 04How do you make sure staff have enough PPE and use it safely?
- 05How will you keep relatives updated about outbreaks and their family member's health?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control under Safe; it was not a full inspection of the other quality areas. This explanation was written from the published report of 15 July 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, December 2019
Gracewell of Bookham was rated Good; inspectors found kind, safe and personalised care, with clear improvements since the previous inspection.
This was an unannounced, planned inspection following the previous rating of Requires Improvement. Inspectors spoke with 14 people, two relatives, 10 staff and a healthcare professional. They checked care records, medicines, staff files, incident records, meetings and quality checks.
Inspectors found people were safe and received kind, respectful care. Medicines were managed safely, risks were assessed, staffing levels were suitable and the home was clean. People received personalised care, had access to activities and healthcare, and were involved in choices about their support.
All five areas were rated Good: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. This means inspectors found consistently good care and management at the time of the visit. The home had improved from Requires Improvement and was no longer in breach of the regulations identified at the previous inspection.
Safe medicines
Inspectors found medicines were given as prescribed, recorded properly and stored securely.
“Medicines were managed consistently and safely in line with national guidance.” from the report
Kind and respectful care
People and relatives described staff as caring and supportive. Inspectors saw staff respond calmly and sensitively when people became upset or unsettled.
“The home had a caring, friendly and relaxed atmosphere.” from the report
Personalised support
Care plans included people's needs, preferences, communication methods and personal histories. Staff knew how people wanted to be supported.
“People received personalised care which met their needs.” from the report
Improved staffing
The home had reduced its use of agency staff and inspectors saw enough staff to meet people's needs.
“The provider had previously been using around 85 percent agency staff but this had now come down to 28 percent in just over eight months.” from the report
Cleaner, stronger management systems
The home had introduced more detailed audits and used them to identify and address problems. The provider was no longer in breach of the regulations found at the previous inspection.
“There were robust audit processes in place within the service.” from the report
No registered manager at the visit
minorThe home did not have a registered manager when inspectors visited. A manager was in post and was applying to register, while an interim manager was also helping to run the service.
“At the time of the inspection the home did not have a registered manager.” from the report
Outstanding legal assessments
needs fixingApplications had been made for 17 people, but the local authority had not yet assessed them at the time of inspection. Ask what progress has since been made.
“At the time of inspection 17 people had a DoLS application submitted but had yet to be assessed by the local authority.” from the report
Activities staffing change
minorAn activities coordinator had left and a replacement was expected. The report still found a range of activities and support from volunteers.
“We did have a really good activities coordinator, but they left. There is a new one coming and hopefully she'll stay.” from the report
- 01Has the manager now registered with CQC, and who is currently responsible for the home?
- 02What is the current position on the 17 outstanding Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards applications?
- 03How are medicines audits and staff training being kept at the improved standard?
- 04Who now leads activities, and what regular activities and trips are currently available?
- 05How are residents and families involved in reviewing care plans and future care wishes?
This was an unannounced planned inspection of all five key questions, covering both the care provided and the home's premises, because the previous rating was Requires Improvement. This explanation was written from the published report of 11 December 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 Liberham Lodge
2 rated inspections over a year: the service has improved, from Requires improvement to Good.
- July 2021Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- December 2019Goodup from Requires improvementSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- October 2018Requires improvementSafe: Requires improvementEffective: Requires improvementCaring: GoodResponsive: Requires improvementWell-led: Requires improvement
- November 2017
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 21 November 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.
Weigh the report against the rest
Fees, photos and reviews from families
How to read CQC ratings and reports
What to check when you visit
77 live-in carers within about an hour of Surrey
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 £1,250 a week. 66 can care for a couple. 11 years' experience on average.
“Without his support we wouldn't have been able to navigate bringing and keeping Dad at home.”
“Not only has she looked after him beautifully, she has also been great company for him with lively conversation, kindness and humour.”
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.