CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Lorne House
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- People were protected from abuse and avoidable harm. Medicines were generally managed safely, but records for topical medicines such as creams and lotions were not always in place.
- Effective?
- Good
- Staff assessed people's physical, mental, communication and sensory needs. They had relevant training and supported people with food, healthcare and decision-making.
- Caring?
- Good
- People received kind and compassionate care. Staff respected privacy and dignity, supported communication and encouraged people to make their own choices.
- Responsive?
- Good
- Care was personalised and adapted to people's changing needs. People were supported to follow interests, maintain relationships and raise concerns or complaints.
- Well-led?
- Good
- Managers were visible and approachable, and staff felt able to raise concerns. Governance systems had not identified the risk of losing access to care plans during an IT failure, but the business continuity plan was updated immediately.
What inspectors found, November 2022
Rated Good; inspectors found kind, personalised care, with improvements needed to topical medicine records and care plan back-up.
This was the first inspection since the home registered. It was unannounced and took place on 20 September 2022 and 29 September 2022. Inspectors spoke with eight people, six relatives and eight staff, and reviewed care, medicines, recruitment and management records.
The home was rated Good in all five areas: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. Inspectors found that people were safe, treated with kindness and supported to make choices, build independence, communicate and take part in activities that mattered to them.
There were two areas to improve. Topical medicines such as creams and lotions did not have administration records. A computer system failure also meant care plans were not readily available, although staff knew people well and the back-up plan was updated immediately.
Choice and independence
People were supported to make choices, use their strengths and develop everyday skills. They could personalise their rooms and take part in decisions about their home.
“People had a choice about their living environment and were able to personalise their rooms.” from the report
Kind and respectful care
Inspectors saw positive interactions and found that staff understood people's communication styles, emotions and support needs.
“People received kind and compassionate care from staff who used positive, respectful language which people understood and responded well to.” from the report
Activities and community links
People were supported to try new experiences and pursue social and leisure interests. Staff also helped people stay in touch with family and friends.
“People were supported to participate in their chosen social and leisure interests on a regular basis.” from the report
Staff knowledge and support
Staff had relevant training and managers checked their skills. Staff received supervision and felt listened to and valued.
“People were supported by staff who had received relevant and good quality training.” from the report
Topical medicine records
needs fixingThe home had guidance about where creams and lotions should be applied, but it did not keep topical administration records. Inspectors recommended that this process be reviewed.
“Processes to manage topical medicines were not always robust. Whilst the service did have guidance for staff on where to apply creams and lotions, no topical administration records were in place.” from the report
Care plan access during IT failure
needs fixingA system failure meant electronic care plans were not readily available. Staff knowledge and detailed handovers reduced the risk, and the business continuity plan was updated immediately.
“The business continuity plan included action to be taken in the event of IT failure but did not include the back up of care plans in this.” from the report
- 01How are creams and lotions recorded now, and how do you check that they are applied as prescribed?
- 02What happens if the electronic care planning system fails again?
- 03How will you make sure staff can access each person's essential care information during an IT failure?
- 04How will you support my relative's individual communication needs, choices and independence?
- 05What activities and community opportunities could my relative take part in?
This was the first comprehensive inspection of the newly registered home, covering all five key questions and infection prevention and control measures. This explanation was written from the published report of 3 November 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, December 2020
Inspected but not rated; inspectors were assured about infection control, PPE, testing and cleanliness.
This was an announced, targeted inspection on 7 December 2020. It looked at infection prevention and control because of coronavirus outbreaks in care homes.
Inspectors found good practice. The home was clean, staff used PPE correctly, infection control training was up to date and staff and residents could access COVID-19 testing.
The home supported people to keep in touch with loved ones. Staff had also completed Makaton training to help communication when face masks made communication harder.
The overall service and safe rating were recorded as inspected but not rated. This was not a full inspection of all areas of care.
Infection control
Inspectors were assured that the home had suitable arrangements to prevent and manage infection outbreaks.
“We were assured that the provider was making sure infection outbreaks can be effectively prevented or managed.” from the report
PPE and staff training
Staff infection control and PPE training was up to date. Inspectors saw staff using PPE correctly and found that staff practice was checked regularly.
“Staff training in infection control and personal protective equipment (PPE) was up to date.” from the report
Clean environment
The home was clean and had regular cleaning arrangements.
“The home was clean throughout. Good cleaning regimes were in place.” from the report
Keeping in touch
People were supported to stay in contact with loved ones, which inspectors said supported their well-being.
“People were supported to keep in touch with loved ones. This supported their well-being.” from the report
Changes after feedback
minorThe report says visitor temperature checks and changing clothes at the start and end of shifts were introduced after feedback. Ask what feedback led to these changes and how the arrangements are now checked.
“Following feedback temperature checks for all visitors were undertaken.” from the report
- 01How are visitor temperature checks carried out now, and how are the records reviewed?
- 02Do staff still change their clothes before starting and after finishing each shift?
- 03How often are staff infection control and PPE practices checked?
- 04How is COVID-19 testing arranged for people living here and for staff?
- 05What were the service's most recent full inspection ratings for Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led?
This was an announced targeted inspection of infection prevention and control practices only; the service was inspected but not rated overall or for Safe. This explanation was written from the published report of 19 December 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.
Every inspection of Lorne House
5 rated inspections over 8 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- November 2022Goodcurrent ratingSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- December 2020Inspected but not ratedSafe: Inspected but not rated
- August 2019Goodup from Requires improvementSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- July 2018Requires improvementstayed Requires improvementSafe: Requires improvementEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Requires improvement
- May 2017Requires improvementSafe: Requires improvementEffective: Requires improvementCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Requires improvement
- September 2015Inspected but not ratedEffective: Requires improvement
- March 2015GoodSafe: GoodEffective: Requires improvementCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- December 2019
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 31 December 2019.
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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45 live-in carers within about an hour of Stockton-on-Tees
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. 40 can care for a couple. 10 years' experience on average.
“I found Alison to be kind , caring helpful concencious... Alison has a heart of gold”
“Petty introduced herself to Mum every time she was caring for her and responded very quickly to Mum if she was distressed in the night.”
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.