CQC report explained · a nursing home
What the CQC found at Middleton Park Lodge
Rated Requires improvement: inspectors found the home was not performing as well as it should and told it what to change.
What inspectors found, February 2021
Rated Good; inspectors found mostly safe care and strong management, but some medicines were given late and some guidance was missing.
This was an announced inspection prompted by concerns about medicines. Inspectors visited the home and also reviewed records remotely, spoke with people, relatives and staff, and checked care plans, medicine records, recruitment files and management information.
The home was rated Good overall. Safe and well-led were both rated Good. Inspectors found enough staff, safe recruitment checks, suitable infection control measures and systems for learning when things went wrong.
There were some medicine concerns. One person's medicine was given late on 14 occasions in the six days before the visit. Guidance for some medicines to be given when needed was also not always available, although this was completed after the inspection.
Only Safe and well-led were inspected during this visit. The ratings for Effective, Caring and Responsive were carried over from the previous comprehensive inspection, which was published in June 2018.
Safe recruitment and staffing
Recruitment checks were robust and inspectors were assured that there were enough staff to keep people safe.
“The provider had robust recruitment checks in place to ensure staff were suitable to work in the home.” from the report
Infection control
Inspectors were assured that the home used protective equipment safely, supported testing and followed infection prevention measures.
“We were assured that the provider was using personal protective equipment effectively and safely.” from the report
Learning from incidents
The home reviewed accidents and incidents and used the findings to update care plans, risk assessments and other safety measures.
“Accidents and incidents were analysed to see if improvements could be made to keep people safe” from the report
Management oversight
Managers carried out quality checks and kept an action plan showing when improvements had been completed.
“An overall action plan was in place highlighting when these actions had been completed to demonstrate improvement in care.” from the report
Medicine given late
seriousOne person's medicine was prescribed four times a day at set times, but staff gave it late on 14 occasions in the six days before the inspection. The report says this could contribute to a decline in the person's health.
“However, we saw that staff had been late giving this medicine on 14 occasions on the six days prior to our inspection visit.” from the report
Missing medicine guidance
needs fixingInstructions for some medicines prescribed to be given when needed were not always available when inspectors visited. The registered manager completed these after the inspection.
“Guidance to enable staff to administer medicines prescribed "as and when required or PRN" was not always available for some people.” from the report
Limited analysis of incident locations
needs fixingThe home reviewed accidents and incidents, but inspectors did not find overall analysis of where they happened. The provider was asked to include this in future.
“However, there did not appear to be any overall analysis regarding the location of where accidents/incidents occurred.” from the report
- 01What changes have been made to make sure medicines prescribed at set times are given on time?
- 02How do you check that guidance for medicines prescribed as needed is available and up to date?
- 03How do you monitor call-buzzer response times, particularly at night?
- 04How are accidents and incidents now analysed by location, and what changes have resulted?
- 05How can relatives take part in meetings and give feedback while visiting arrangements are restricted?
This was a focused inspection of Safe and well-led, prompted by concerns about medicines; Effective, Caring and Responsive were not inspected and their previous ratings were carried over. This explanation was written from the published report of 27 February 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, June 2018
Middleton Park Lodge was rated Good overall; inspectors found safe, kind care and better leadership, but care records were not always clear.
This was an unannounced inspection on 12 and 17 April 2018. One inspector reviewed care records, staff files, medicines, rotas and quality checks. They also spoke with people, a relative, staff, the registered manager and a health professional.
The home was rated Good for Safe, Effective, Caring and Well-led. People were supported safely, medicines were managed properly, staff were trained, and people were treated with dignity. The home supported people's health, food and relationships.
Responsive was rated Requires Improvement. Some handwritten care records were difficult to read, contained repeated or old information, or gave conflicting instructions. The home was moving to electronic records. Inspectors also found some environmental problems, but these were dealt with during the inspection.
The overall rating improved from Requires Improvement at the comprehensive inspection in March 2017. Inspectors said improvements had been made in staffing, understanding of legal decision-making safeguards and how the home was run.
Medicines managed safely
Medicines were stored securely and records showed they were given as prescribed. Staff understood how to use medicines given only when needed.
“We found records were true and accurate which meant staff were able to demonstrate that people were receiving their medicines as prescribed.” from the report
Kind and respectful care
People said staff were nice and helpful. Inspectors saw staff protecting privacy, supporting independence and treating people with dignity.
“All people spoken with told us staff treated them with dignity and respect and we observed this.” from the report
Meaningful activities
The home asked about people's interests and provided varied activities, including activities for people who were cared for in bed.
“This meant that information collected on what was important to people was used to create activities that helped fill people's lives and provide meaning to their days.” from the report
Care records were unclear
needs fixingSome handwritten records were hard to read, repeated information or included old and conflicting instructions. This could make it harder for staff to find the latest guidance.
“This meant up to date information was not always easily accessible for staff.” from the report
Environmental repairs were needed
minorInspectors found broken seals around toilet basins and a fire door cupboard that could still be pulled open. The registered manager dealt with these concerns during the inspection.
“We mentioned these to the registered manager who dealt with all the concerns during the inspection.” from the report
- 01Have all care records now been moved to the electronic system, and how do you check that staff follow the latest instructions?
- 02How do you prevent conflicting information, such as different timings for continence checks, appearing in care plans?
- 03What staffing levels are in place at busy times and overnight, and how do you respond when people have to wait for support?
- 04What checks are now carried out to make sure fire doors, toilet seals and other parts of the environment remain safe?
- 05How are activities planned for someone who prefers one-to-one support or is cared for in bed?
This was an unannounced inspection covering all five CQC questions and the overall rating, with evidence from four care records, four staff files, observations and discussions with people, relatives, staff and a health professional. This explanation was written from the published report of 14 June 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 Middleton Park Lodge
3 rated inspections over 4 years: the service has improved, from Requires improvement to Good.
- February 2021Goodcurrent ratingstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: Requires improvementWell-led: Good
- June 2018Goodup from Requires improvementSafe: GoodWell-led: Good
- May 2017Requires improvementSafe: Requires improvementEffective: Requires improvementCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Requires improvement
- April 2016
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 26 April 2016.
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
At least 100 live-in carers within about an hour of Leeds
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. 89 can care for a couple. 11 years' experience on average.
“Carla has been a god send with the implementation of bringing mum back home from respite care.”
“Took his time to learn about me read my care plan and to listen to me. great companionship with lots of laughing.”
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.