CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Milton Lodge Rest Home
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- People were protected from abuse and avoidable harm. Risk assessments, staffing arrangements, recruitment checks, infection control and medicines procedures were found to be effective.
- Effective?
- Good
- People's needs were assessed and reviewed, and staff received relevant training and support. Nutrition, healthcare and consent arrangements were found to meet people's needs.
- Caring?
- Good
- People said staff were kind, caring and respectful. Inspectors found that staff supported privacy, dignity, independence and involvement in care decisions.
- Responsive?
- Good
- Care records were personalised and reflected people's needs, preferences and routines. The home provided activities, met communication needs and had processes for complaints and end of life care.
- Well-led?
- Good
- The home had clear responsibilities, an open culture and regular audits. People and staff said they were consulted and listened to.
What inspectors found, September 2019
Milton Lodge Rest Home was rated Good in all areas; inspectors found safe, kind and personalised care.
This was an unannounced inspection on 10 September 2019. Inspectors reviewed records, medicines, staffing, meals, the building and quality checks. They spoke with eight people living at the home, three relatives and seven staff members.
The inspectors found that people were protected from abuse and avoidable harm. Staff were trained and supported, medicines were given safely, and people's health, nutrition and care needs were monitored. People described staff as kind, respectful and attentive.
Care was planned around people's individual needs, preferences and communication. Activities were available, complaints were handled appropriately, and people were supported to remain at the home for end of life care where possible.
The overall rating was Good, with Good ratings for Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. This was the same as the previous inspection, published on 8 April 2017.
Safe care and medicines
Inspectors found that risks were assessed and reviewed, staffing was suitable, recruitment checks were completed and medicines were administered safely.
“People were safely supported to receive their medicines as prescribed.” from the report
Kind and respectful staff
People described staff as kind and attentive. Inspectors observed respectful support that promoted privacy, dignity and independence.
“People were supported by caring and respectful staff.” from the report
Personalised care
Care plans contained detailed information about individual needs, preferences, routines, nutrition and interests. Staff could explain how people's needs were met.
“Care files were person-centred and individualised documents reflecting each person's assessment of needs.” from the report
Good support for health and nutrition
The home monitored people's weight, food and fluid intake and worked with a range of healthcare professionals. People had a choice of meals and access to drinks.
“People's nutritional needs were well managed to ensure they received a balanced diet and sufficient fluids to keep them hydrated.” from the report
Activities and end of life care
People could take part in varied activities and were supported to follow their interests. End of life wishes were recorded and staff had palliative care training.
“We saw a varied range of social activities were organised to keep people entertained and stimulated.” from the report
Open management and quality checks
People and staff said they were consulted and listened to. Regular audits were used to monitor quality and act on findings.
“The provider had systems in place to ensure the quality of service was regularly assessed and monitored.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How do you follow up the applications for Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards that were awaiting local authority approval?
- 02How would you adapt care if my relative's health, nutrition or communication needs changed?
- 03What activities would be suitable for my relative's interests and level of independence?
- 04How would you support my relative's end of life wishes, including cultural and spiritual needs?
- 05What changes have been made at the home since the September 2019 inspection?
This was an unannounced inspection covering all five key questions, including the care provided and the premises. This explanation was written from the published report of 20 September 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.
What inspectors found, April 2017
Rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and personalised care, with a recommendation about kitchen safety.
Inspectors visited the home without notice on 14 March 2017. They spoke with people living there, relatives, staff and a visiting health professional. They observed care and mealtimes, checked the building, and reviewed care, medicines, training and management records.
All five areas were rated Good. Inspectors found enough staff, safe medicines arrangements, trained staff and good access to healthcare. People were treated with kindness and respect, involved in their care, and supported with activities and individual preferences.
The home had improved its support with food and drinks since the previous inspection. However, inspectors saw that the kitchen door was left open when the kitchen was empty, and the dining room was sometimes unstaffed. They recommended an environmental risk assessment. Good means the service was meeting the relevant standards overall, but it was not judged perfect.
Kind and respectful care
People said staff were kind, and inspectors saw warm relationships. Staff respected privacy and supported people in a discreet way.
“The atmosphere in the home was calm, relaxed and friendly.” from the report
Personalised care plans
Care plans included people's histories, preferences, abilities and health needs. They were reviewed monthly or when needs changed.
“Care plans were detailed, up to date and addressed a number of topics including managing health conditions, personal hygiene, diet and nutrition needs and personal safety.” from the report
Safe staffing and medicines
Inspectors found enough staff and an appropriate mix of skills. Medicines were stored securely and records and audits were checked.
“There were enough staff available to meet people's needs safely.” from the report
Improved food and drink support
The home had acted on the previous inspection's concerns. Staff monitored meals, offered snacks and drinks, and supported special diets.
“We saw regular snacks and drinks were available between meals to ensure people received adequate nutrition and hydration.” from the report
Responsive activities
People could join group or individual activities, including walks, games, hairdressing and contact with relatives using technology.
“The activities were arranged for individuals and for groups.” from the report
Unsupervised kitchen access
needs fixingThe kitchen door was open when the kitchen was empty, and the dining room was sometimes unstaffed. Inspectors recommended an environmental risk assessment to reduce the risk to people.
“This gave people unsupervised access to the kitchen.” from the report
Mixed views about food
minorMost feedback about food was positive, but some people felt its quality was inconsistent. The manager said the meals would be reviewed.
“Now and again the food could be better.” from the report
More activities requested
minorActivities were available, but two people and two survey responses said more activities could be arranged. The home planned to introduce a craft session.
“two responses stated more activities could be arranged.” from the report
- 01What action did you take after inspectors found that people could access the kitchen when it was unsupervised?
- 02Has the environmental risk assessment recommended by inspectors been completed, and what safeguards are now in place?
- 03How do you monitor whether people are getting enough food and drinks, especially if they cannot ask for them?
- 04What changes have been made to improve the food after mixed feedback from residents?
- 05Was the planned craft session introduced, and how do you make sure there are enough activities for different interests?
This was an unannounced comprehensive inspection covering all five key questions and checking improvements required after the previous inspection. This explanation was written from the published report of 8 April 2017 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 Milton Lodge Rest Home
3 rated inspections over 4 years: the service has improved, from Requires improvement to Good.
- September 2019Goodcurrent ratingstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- April 2017Goodup from Requires improvementSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- February 2016Requires improvementSafe: Requires improvementEffective: Requires improvementCaring: Requires improvementResponsive: GoodWell-led: Requires improvement
- April 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- September 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- March 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- September 2011
Report published without a new overall rating.
- December 2010
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 8 December 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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85 live-in carers within about an hour of Lancashire
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 £1,260 a week. 78 can care for a couple. 11 years' experience on average.
“She understands the needs of an elderly person in the early stages of dementia and has treated my mother with great kindness and skill.”
“Thanks to Tracy, Dad was always immaculately dressed and clean, his meals were all home cooked and nutritionally well balanced and his home was always kept really clean and tidy.”
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