CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Norton Lodge Care Home Ltd
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
What inspectors found, April 2021
Norton Lodge Care Home Ltd was inspected but not rated; inspectors were assured about infection prevention and control measures.
This was an announced, targeted inspection on 18 March 2021. It looked at how the home was preventing and controlling COVID-19 infections.
Inspectors found clear visitor instructions, escorted visitors, suitable use of personal protective equipment and extra protective equipment in people's rooms. Staff also followed handwashing and social distancing measures where possible.
Inspectors were assured that the home had arrangements for testing, safe admissions, infection outbreaks, hygiene, shielding and keeping its infection control policy up to date. The service was inspected but not rated, so this report does not give an overall quality rating.
Visitor safety
The home displayed clear instructions for visitors and escorted them inside so that infection control rules could be followed.
“There were clear instructions on display to advise visitors on how to use Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).” from the report
PPE and handwashing
Staff followed PPE guidance, with extra PPE available in each person's room. Extra precautions were used where social distancing was not possible.
“Where social distancing could not be maintained, staff took extra precautions through the use of PPE and handwashing to minimise the spread of infection.” from the report
Staff wellbeing
Each staff member had a personal COVID-19 risk assessment, and the report says staff wellbeing was discussed regularly.
“The provider had ensured that all staff had received a personal COVID-19 risk assessment and conversations about their wellbeing were held regularly.” from the report
Staff infection control practice
The home used infection control exercises to remind staff what to do, and discussed the results in staff meetings.
“Infection control exercises were carried out to remind staff of the processes they had to follow.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How are visitors currently screened, escorted and supported to use PPE?
- 02How often are people using the service and staff tested for infections?
- 03What would happen if there was an infection outbreak in the home?
- 04How are staff members' personal infection risks and wellbeing reviewed now?
- 05When was the infection prevention and control policy last updated?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control during the coronavirus pandemic; the service was inspected but not rated and the report does not assess the other key questions. This explanation was written from the published report of 28 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 2018
Rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and personalised care, with one minor risk-assessment point about hot water.
This was an unannounced inspection on 20 September 2018. Inspectors spoke with people living at the home, relatives and staff. They also observed care and checked care, medicine, staff and quality records.
The home was rated Good in all five areas: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. Inspectors found enough staff, safe medicine arrangements, suitable training, kind care and support that reflected people's choices and needs.
This was the first inspection since the home was registered in February 2017. Inspectors identified one minor point for consideration about carrying out a risk assessment for hot water stored in a communal area.
Safe staffing and medicines
Inspectors found enough staff for people's needs and saw no one waiting for help. Medicine administration and records were clear and safe.
“We saw that medicines were recorded clearly with no gaps.” from the report
Staff training
Staff had an induction before working at the home and could access ongoing training, supervision and appraisals.
“Staff received an effective induction and ongoing training.” from the report
Kind and respectful care
Staff treated people with compassion and protected their dignity. People were encouraged to make choices and remain independent.
“We saw that staff ensured people's privacy and dignity.” from the report
Personalised support
Care plans covered people's needs, preferences, interests and life histories. Activities and religious support were adapted to individual wishes.
“We saw that reviews of care plans were completed in a timely manner.” from the report
Quality monitoring
The home used regular audits covering areas including falls, care plans, safeguarding, infection control, medicines and fire safety.
“We found that monthly audits looking at the quality of the service were in place.” from the report
Hot water risk assessment
minorInspectors advised the deputy manager to consider a risk assessment for hot water stored in a communal area. The report does not say that this caused harm.
“We advised the deputy manager to consider carrying out a risk assessment in relation to the hot water being stored in a communal area.” from the report
- 01Has the risk assessment for hot water stored in the communal area been completed, and what controls are now in place?
- 02How many staff are normally on each shift, and how is staffing adjusted when people's needs change?
- 03How are care plans reviewed now, and how are people's current preferences and interests recorded?
- 04What activities and opportunities for outings are available, including support for religious or family visits?
- 05What did the latest quality audits identify, and what improvements have been made as a result?
This was an unannounced inspection covering all five CQC questions and the overall quality of the home; it was the first inspection since registration. This explanation was written from the published report of 7 November 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 Norton Lodge Care Home Ltd
Each visit the CQC has published, newest first, back to the day the home was registered.
- April 2021Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- November 2018GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- February 2017
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 19 February 2017.
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 Dudley
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 £1,230 a week. 88 can care for a couple. 10 years' experience on average.
“I have never met a person who is so kind and thinks about others before himself to such an extent as Chris Malagala.”
“Knowing Mum was in Corina's care made an enormous difference to us and we knew she was in safe hands.”
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.