CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Oriel Lodge
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors were assured about most infection prevention measures, including visitors, testing, personal protective equipment and managing outbreaks. They were somewhat assured about the cleanliness of some kitchen flooring and the infection control policy for the laundry room.
- 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, March 2021
Inspected but not rated; inspectors were assured about most infection controls but found kitchen flooring and laundry guidance shortfalls.
This was an announced, targeted inspection on 23 February 2021. It looked at infection prevention and control during the coronavirus pandemic, rather than giving a full service rating.
The home was supporting 17 people living with dementia. Inspectors found good arrangements for visitors, including temperature checks, health declarations, hand cleaning and personal protective equipment. People were also supported to keep in touch with relatives by phone, video calls and window visits.
Inspectors were assured about most infection controls, including visitor safety, testing, personal protective equipment and managing outbreaks. They were only somewhat assured about the cleanliness of some kitchen flooring and the infection control policy for the laundry room. The home took action during the inspection to deep clean the flooring, arrange replacement flooring and update its policy.
Visitor infection checks
Visitors had their temperature checked, completed a health declaration, cleaned their hands and were supported to use protective equipment.
“Visitors were required to have their temperature checked, complete a health declaration, clean their hands and then supported to put on the personal protective equipment (PPE) provided.” from the report
Keeping families connected
People were supported to stay in touch with relatives through phone calls, video calls and closed window visits. A visiting pod had also been arranged, although it was not being used during the recent outbreak.
“People were supported to keep in touch with relatives in ways that were meaningful to them, by phone, video calls and closed window visits.” from the report
Staff infection control
Staff had infection prevention and control training. Their cleaning and protective equipment practices were checked on each shift.
“Staff compliance with required cleaning practices and use of PPE was monitored on each shift by the shift leader who was the designated 'COVID coordinator'.” from the report
Testing and outbreak controls
Inspectors were assured that the home was accessing testing and could prevent or manage infection outbreaks.
“We were assured that the provider was making sure infection outbreaks can be effectively prevented or managed.” from the report
Kitchen flooring
needs fixingSome kitchen flooring was stained and worn and was not clean. The home deep cleaned the areas before the inspection process ended and said it was arranging replacement flooring.
“Areas of flooring in the kitchen were not clean. They were stained and worn in parts.” from the report
Laundry room guidance
needs fixingThe infection control policy did not give enough guidance for safe use of the laundry room, and current national best practice was not being followed. The home said it updated the policy and addressed the shortfalls.
“However, the policy did not provide sufficient guidance to ensure safe use of the laundry room, and current national best practice was not being followed.” from the report
- 01Has the worn and stained kitchen flooring now been replaced?
- 02What changes were made to the infection prevention and control policy for the laundry room?
- 03How are cleaning practices and use of personal protective equipment checked on each shift?
- 04How would you support my relative with dementia if they could not understand or follow social distancing or room isolation?
- 05What arrangements are currently available for visits and contact with relatives?
This was an announced targeted inspection of infection prevention and control measures during the coronavirus pandemic; it did not rate the other four key questions. This explanation was written from the published report of 16 March 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, October 2018
Oriel Lodge was rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and responsive care, with a medicines fridge-recording problem fixed during the visit.
The inspection was unannounced and took place on 26 September 2018. It was the first inspection under the new provider. Inspectors spoke with people living at the home, a relative, staff and a health professional. They reviewed care plans, staff files, medicines, incident records, complaints and management records.
Inspectors found people were safe, treated kindly and supported by enough staff. Care plans were personal and focused on people's emotional wellbeing. People enjoyed the food, had choices, and could take part in activities and community visits.
The home received Good ratings in all five areas: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. Inspectors found a management system that identified problems and followed up actions. They did find that medicines fridge temperatures had not been recorded correctly, but the provider acted immediately.
Enough staff
Inspectors found there were enough staff to meet people's needs. People were attended to quickly, without staff appearing rushed.
“There were sufficient numbers of staff to keep people safe and to meet their needs.” from the report
Kind and respectful care
Staff knew people's preferences and supported their dignity and independence. Inspectors saw care being given in a calm and discreet way.
“Staff interacted with people in a natural friendly caring and compassionate manner.” from the report
Personalised support
Care plans began with what mattered to each person and included things that worried or comforted them. Activities were varied and included links with the local community.
“Each person's care plan began with, "What is important to me", followed by, "Things that worry or upset me", and, "Things that relax me".” from the report
Learning from incidents
The home reviewed accidents and incidents and used them to make changes. Inspectors saw evidence that agreed actions had been completed.
“The service learned when things went wrong and made improvements.” from the report
Medicines fridge checks
needs fixingTemperatures for the medicines fridge had not been recorded correctly, so the provider could not initially be sure medicines were stored at the correct temperature. The provider took immediate action and introduced a better system.
“We identified that temperatures for the medicines fridge had not been recorded correctly which meant the provider could not be sure medicines were always stored at the correct temperature.” from the report
- 01How are medicines fridge temperatures recorded and checked now?
- 02What further dementia-friendly changes have been made since the inspection, including to the lounge layout?
- 03How will you make sure care plans continue to reflect each person's worries, preferences and emotional needs?
- 04How are falls and accidents reviewed, and how are lessons shared with staff?
- 05What activities and community visits are currently available for residents who want to take part?
This was an unannounced inspection covering all five CQC areas and the overall quality of the home; it was the first inspection under the new provider. This explanation was written from the published report of 19 October 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 Oriel Lodge
Each visit the CQC has published, newest first, back to the day the home was registered.
- March 2021Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- October 2018GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- September 2017
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 29 September 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
25 live-in carers within about an hour of Bath and North East Somerset
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 £1,030 to £1,320 a week. 20 can care for a couple. 12 years' experience on average.
“She enabled mum to lead a high quality life in her own home until the very end and Lena and her family became close personal friends to me and my family.”
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.