CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Norcott Lodge
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- The home had infection control arrangements in place, but inspectors were only somewhat assured about PPE, the premises' layout and hygiene, and managing infection outbreaks.
- 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, June 2022
Inspected but not rated; infection control and visiting arrangements were checked, with some areas only partly assured.
This was a targeted inspection on 18 February 2022. Inspectors looked at infection prevention and control, visiting arrangements and the effect of COVID-19 staffing pressures.
The home had checks for visitors, including a COVID-19 questionnaire and a negative lateral flow test. Inspectors were assured about visiting, social distancing, testing, safe admissions and the infection control policy.
Inspectors were only somewhat assured about the safe use of personal protective equipment, the layout and hygiene of the premises, and managing infection outbreaks. The service was inspected but not rated, so this report does not give an overall quality rating.
Visitor screening
Visitors had to complete infection checks before entering, including a COVID-19 questionnaire and a negative lateral flow test.
“Visitors were subject to a range of screening procedures including evidence of a COVID-19 questionnaire and negative lateral flow test before entry was allowed.” from the report
Visiting arrangements
Inspectors were assured that the home was preventing visitors from catching and spreading infections and was facilitating visits in line with government guidance.
“The service was facilitating visiting in line with current government guidance.” from the report
Testing and admissions
Inspectors were assured that people and staff could access testing and that people were admitted safely.
“We were assured that the provider was accessing testing for people using the service and staff.” from the report
Up-to-date policy
The infection prevention and control policy was up to date.
“We were assured that the provider's infection prevention and control policy was up to date.” from the report
Use of PPE
needs fixingInspectors were only somewhat assured that PPE was being used effectively and safely.
“We were somewhat assured that the provider was using PPE effectively and safely.” from the report
Premises and outbreak control
needs fixingInspectors were only somewhat assured about the layout and hygiene of the premises and about preventing or managing infection outbreaks.
“We were somewhat assured that the provider was making sure infection outbreaks can be effectively prevented or managed.” from the report
- 01What changes have you made to PPE use since inspectors were only somewhat assured it was being used effectively and safely?
- 02How have you improved the layout and hygiene practices of the premises?
- 03What is your current plan for preventing and managing infection outbreaks?
- 04How do you check that visitor screening, testing and visiting arrangements remain in place?
- 05Were COVID-19 staffing pressures affecting the service, and what measures are now in place to manage them?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control, visiting arrangements and COVID-19 staffing pressures; the service was inspected but not rated and the other four questions were not assessed. This explanation was written from the published report of 30 June 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 2018
Norcott Lodge was rated Good; inspectors found kind, personalised care, with some improvements needed to fire alarm checks and food choices.
This was an unannounced, planned comprehensive inspection on 21 November 2018. Inspectors spoke with people, relatives, managers and staff. They observed care, looked around the home and checked care, staffing, training and management records. They also spoke with staff and relatives by telephone on 22 November 2018.
The home supported nine people with complex needs. Inspectors found people were safe, medicines were managed properly and staffing levels met people's needs. Staff were trained and people were supported with healthcare, food, communication, choice and activities.
People and relatives described staff as kind and caring. Care was personalised and people were supported to maintain independence. Inspectors found two areas to improve: a fire alarm had not sounded in one corridor for several weeks, and food choices and staff cooking skills were not always adequate. All five areas were rated Good, as they were at the previous inspection.
Kind and respectful care
Inspectors observed caring interactions and found that people's privacy, dignity and emotional needs were respected.
“Staff's interactions with people were caring and kind.” from the report
Personalised support
Care plans recorded individual needs, communication methods, routines and positive behaviour support. People could choose activities and change their minds.
“People received personalised care responsive to their needs.” from the report
Good safety arrangements
The home assessed individual risks, managed medicines safely and had enough staff to support people, including people needing one-to-one support.
“Risks to people were assessed and monitored to support their freedom whilst ensuring their safety.” from the report
Strong involvement and oversight
People and relatives were involved in care planning and surveys. Managers used audits, meetings and weekly risk reports to identify and act on improvements.
“The provider had a robust system in place which outlined manager responsibilities and managers followed a schedule of regular quality audits to manage and monitor performance and risks within the service.” from the report
Fire alarm fault
needs fixingThe weekly fire alarm test showed that the alarm had not sounded in a corridor for several weeks. Managers said this would be dealt with through the premises audit.
“We found the weekly test of the fire alarm recorded this had not sounded in the corridor for several weeks.” from the report
Limited food choice
needs fixingA staff member said not everyone could cook and that the weekly menu offered limited choice. Inspectors also found that people's likes and dislikes were not always recorded.
“We also found people's food likes and dislikes weren't always recorded.” from the report
- 01What action was taken after the fire alarm failed to sound in the corridor, and how is this now checked?
- 02How do you record each person's food likes, dislikes and dietary needs?
- 03How do you make sure there are enough staff who can prepare a varied menu?
- 04Which care plans have now moved to the new format, and how are families involved in reviewing them?
- 05How are Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards conditions and people's wishes reviewed?
This was a planned comprehensive inspection covering all five questions, and all five ratings remained Good from the previous inspection. This explanation was written from the published report of 29 December 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 Norcott Lodge
2 rated inspections over 3 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- June 2022Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- December 2018Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- May 2016GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- January 2015
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 9 January 2015.
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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What to check when you visit
At least 100 live-in carers within about an hour of Kirklees
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. 86 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.”
“Primrose is a very kind and compassionate healthcare professional”
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.