CQC report explained · a nursing home
What the CQC found at Lowmoor Nursing Home
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Requires improvement
- Inspectors found that risks were not always assessed, monitored and managed effectively. They also found safe medicines management, enough staff, safe recruitment and appropriate infection prevention arrangements.
- Effective?
- Good
- This key question was not rated in this focused inspection.
- Caring?
- Good
- This key question was not rated in this focused inspection. Inspectors did record that people were treated with dignity and respect.
- Responsive?
- Good
- This key question was not rated in this focused inspection.
- Well-led?
- Good
- The new manager had introduced systems to check quality, follow up improvements and learn from accidents and incidents. Relatives spoke highly of the service and the care provided.
What inspectors found, April 2021
Rated Good overall; inspectors found kind care and improving management, but the Safe rating was Requires Improvement because infection risks had not always been assessed.
This was an unannounced focused inspection on 9 March 2021. It followed concerns about staff recruitment and training, and the management of accidents and incidents. Inspectors spoke with people, relatives and staff, and checked care, medicines, staff and management records.
The home was rated Good overall. Safe was rated Requires Improvement, while Well-led remained Good. Inspectors found enough staff, safe recruitment, safe medicines management, clean surroundings and support for people's health needs.
The main safety concern was that three staff members were not wearing masks because they said they were medically exempt. The manager acted during the inspection, but this risk had not been assessed beforehand. A new manager had also introduced stronger checks and systems for learning from accidents and incidents.
Enough staff
Inspectors found enough staff to meet people's needs. Recruitment checks, induction and training were in place.
“There were enough staff employed to enable people to receive care when they needed it.” from the report
Medicines managed safely
Medicines records and instructions were kept up to date. Staff who gave medicines had been trained and assessed.
“There were detailed written protocols for medicines which were to be given only 'when required'.” from the report
Kind and respectful care
People were supported by staff who cared for them and treated them with dignity. Relatives spoke positively about the staff team.
“People were supported well by staff who cared for them and treated them with dignity and respect.” from the report
Improving oversight
The new manager had introduced stronger checks and clearer records for accidents, incidents and other areas of quality.
“Systems to check the safety and quality of the service had been implemented.” from the report
Clean and organised home
The home was clean, communal areas were free from obstruction and equipment was stored safely. Building and equipment checks were carried out regularly.
“People were protected from environmental risk; communal areas were tidy and free from obstruction.” from the report
Mask exemption risk was not assessed
seriousThree staff members were not wearing masks because they said they were medically exempt. The manager acted immediately, but the risk had not been assessed or reduced before the inspection.
“This risk had not been assessed and posed a risk to people using the service, particularly with regard to preventing the spread of infection such as COVID-19.” from the report
- 01How do you now assess and manage the risk when a staff member cannot wear a face covering?
- 02What action was taken after the inspection to make sure staff with mask exemptions and the people they support are protected?
- 03How are the new audits checked to make sure improvement actions are completed?
- 04How do you use accident and incident records to identify patterns and refer people to health professionals when needed?
- 05How do you involve people and relatives in decisions about the home and planned improvements?
This was a focused inspection of Safe and Well-led; the other key question ratings were not given in this report. This explanation was written from the published report of 24 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.
What inspectors found, November 2020
Inspected but not rated; inspectors were assured the home had safe infection prevention and control measures.
This was an unannounced targeted inspection on 29 October 2020. It followed concerns about infection prevention and control.
Inspectors found that staff had training in personal protective equipment, COVID-19 and infection control. They saw staff using protective equipment correctly. The home had separate units, increased cleaning, social distancing measures and an up-to-date infection control policy.
Inspectors were assured that the home was managing visitors, testing, admissions, outbreaks, shielding and hygiene safely. The home was inspected but not rated, so this report does not give a full service rating.
Protective equipment
Staff had training in putting on and removing protective equipment. Inspectors saw that equipment was available and used in line with current guidance.
“Staff had received training in donning and doffing personal protective equipment (PPE) and we saw this was accessible throughout the home” from the report
Separate areas
The three units could be accessed independently by staff. This was intended to reduce the risk of infection spreading between areas.
“The service had three separate units which staff could access independently to avoid cross contamination.” from the report
Cleaning and infection controls
The infection control policy was up to date. Inspectors reviewed audits and saw increased cleaning, including deep cleans and cleaning of frequently touched surfaces.
“Cleaning schedules had been increased and all rooms received regular deep cleans as well as regular cleaning of high contact surfaces.” from the report
Managing the outbreak
After COVID-19 affected everyone living at the home and 20 staff in April 2020, sections were isolated and further cases were prevented.
“Careful management prevented the service having any further cases.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How are the infection control arrangements described in the report being maintained now?
- 02How do you ensure staff continue to use personal protective equipment safely and correctly?
- 03How are the separate units used to reduce the risk of cross contamination?
- 04How often are rooms and high-contact surfaces cleaned, and how are these checks recorded?
- 05What arrangements are currently in place for visiting and keeping residents in contact with relatives?
This was an unannounced targeted inspection of infection prevention and control measures only; the service was inspected but not rated and the other areas were not covered. This explanation was written from the published report of 18 November 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 Lowmoor Nursing Home
5 rated inspections over 5 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- April 2021Goodcurrent ratingSafe: Requires improvementEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- November 2020Inspected but not ratedSafe: Inspected but not rated
- November 2019Goodup from InadequateSafe: GoodWell-led: Good
- August 2019Inadequatedown from Requires improvementSafe: InadequateEffective: Requires improvementCaring: Requires improvementResponsive: Requires improvementWell-led: Inadequate
- September 2018Requires improvementdown from GoodSafe: Requires improvementEffective: Requires improvementCaring: Requires improvementResponsive: Requires improvementWell-led: Inadequate
- August 2016GoodSafe: GoodEffective: Requires improvementCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- October 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- April 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- November 2011
Report published without a new overall rating.
- January 2011
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 12 January 2011.
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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