CQC report explained · a nursing home
What the CQC found at Little Heath Lodge
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors were assured that infection risks were being managed, including visitor screening, safe admissions, PPE, testing, cleaning and outbreak planning. The provider also said it had measures to manage COVID-19-related staffing pressures.
- Effective?
- Good
- This question was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
- Caring?
- Good
- This question was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
- Responsive?
- Good
- This question was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
- Well-led?
- Good
- This question was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
What inspectors found, March 2022
Inspected but not rated; inspectors found strong infection prevention and control arrangements during the COVID-19 pandemic.
This was an announced, targeted inspection on 23 February 2022. Inspectors looked at infection prevention and control, visiting arrangements and whether COVID-19 staffing pressures affected care.
The home screened visitors, checked vaccination and infection risks, and supported hand washing, sanitising, PPE use and social distancing. Inspectors found the home clean, well ventilated and well stocked with PPE.
There was regular testing and temperature checking for people and staff. Staff had training in COVID-19 and infection control. Inspectors were assured that admissions, visiting, PPE, testing, cleaning and outbreak arrangements were being managed safely.
The service was inspected but not rated. This means the visit did not give an overall quality rating or full ratings for all five questions.
Clean environment
Inspectors saw that the home was clean throughout and had good ventilation. Cleaning was scheduled and monitored.
“During our visit we saw the home was clean throughout with good ventilation.” from the report
PPE and staff training
The home had a good supply of PPE, a designated room for putting it on and removing it, and trained staff.
“Staff had a designated room for donning and doffing. Staff were trained on how and when to use PPE and their disposal, as appropriate.” from the report
Testing and monitoring
The home carried out regular COVID-19 tests and temperature checks for people and staff. The report says nobody living there tested positive during the pandemic.
“The provider carried out regular COVID-19 PCR and LFT tests and temperature checks for people and staff in line with the government guidelines.” from the report
Staffing arrangements
The report says there had been enough staff to meet people's needs during the pandemic. Agency staff checks included infection control training and vaccination.
“There had always been enough staff to meet people's needs throughout the pandemic.” from the report
Safe visiting and admissions
Visitors were screened before entering, and new admissions were checked for COVID-19 risks. The home said there were no visiting restrictions under the guidance in force at the time.
“The provider carried out relevant checks prior to any new admission to the home.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01What infection prevention and control arrangements are in place now?
- 02How do you manage visiting when someone has symptoms of an infection?
- 03How many staff are currently available for each shift, and are agency staff used?
- 04How do you check that agency staff have the required infection control training?
- 05Can you explain how you meet my relative's care and support needs in areas not covered by this inspection?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control, visiting arrangements and COVID-19-related staffing pressures; it did not assess the other four questions or provide a full service rating. This explanation was written from the published report of 22 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, April 2018
Rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and personalised care across all five areas.
This was an unannounced, comprehensive inspection on 9 March 2018. One inspector and an expert by experience observed care, spoke with three people, two relatives and staff, and checked care, medicines, staffing and management records.
The home supported up to five adults with mental health needs. Three people were living there during the inspection. Inspectors found suitable risk assessments, enough staff, safe medicines systems and clean premises. Staff had the training and support needed for their roles.
People were treated with kindness and respect. Care plans were personalised and kept up to date. People were supported with food, healthcare, activities, family relationships and daily choices. The home had systems to listen to people, handle complaints and check the quality of care.
The overall rating was Good, with Good ratings for Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. The home was also rated Good at the previous inspection on 4 February 2016, so the report says it remained Good.
Safe staffing
Staffing levels were maintained and extra staff were arranged when people needed support with appointments or community access.
“The service had enough staff to support people.” from the report
Safe medicines
Staff were trained and assessed to give medicines. Records and medicine stocks showed that medicines were given as prescribed.
“The MAR charts and stocks showed that people received their medicines as prescribed.” from the report
Kind and respectful care
Inspectors saw staff communicate well and use positive, enabling language. People were supported with privacy, dignity and independence.
“We saw staff had good communication skills and were kind, caring and compassionate.” from the report
Personalised support
Care plans included people's histories, preferences, health needs and interests. They were reviewed and updated when needs changed.
“Care plans were reviewed on a regular basis and reflective of people's current needs.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How would you assess and update my relative's risks, including risks linked to mental health, medicines and community access?
- 02How would you involve me and my relative in creating and reviewing the care plan?
- 03How would you support my relative to choose activities and change their mind about what they want to do?
- 04How do you check that staff remain competent to administer medicines safely?
- 05How would you support contact with family and attendance at healthcare appointments?
This was an unannounced comprehensive inspection covering all five CQC questions, the premises and the care provided. This explanation was written from the published report of 20 April 2018 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 Little Heath Lodge
2 rated inspections over 2 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- March 2022Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- April 2018Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- March 2016GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- June 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- May 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- May 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- November 2010
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 22 November 2010.
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 Greenwich
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. 87 can care for a couple. 11 years' experience on average.
“She cared for my mum with Alzheimer's with endless patience and kindness, always arriving with a smile and a positive attitude”
“Usha rapidly became 'one of the family' and is sorely missed.”
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.