CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at OSJCT Bemerton Lodge
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- People were protected from abuse and avoidable harm. Risks, medicines, staffing, recruitment and infection control were generally managed safely, although some improvements were identified.
- Effective?
- Good
- This question was not inspected during this focused visit. The previous comprehensive inspection rating was used in calculating the overall rating.
- Caring?
- Good
- This question was not inspected during this focused visit. The report noted that staff knew people well and were observed having friendly, person-centred conversations.
- Responsive?
- Good
- This question was not inspected during this focused visit. The previous comprehensive inspection rating was used in calculating the overall rating.
- Well-led?
- Good
- There was a clear management structure, quality audits and evidence that lessons were acted on. Relatives gave mixed feedback about their involvement, although they felt able to raise concerns.
What inspectors found, December 2021
OSJCT Bemerton Lodge is rated Good; inspectors found people were safe and the home was well managed, with some improvements still needed around new admissions.
This was an unannounced focused inspection on 3 and 10 November 2021. One inspector and an Expert by Experience spoke with people, relatives, staff and another professional. They checked care records, medicine records, staff files, training information and management records.
The home was rated Good for Safe and Well-led. Inspectors found that people were protected from abuse, risks were generally managed, there were enough staff, medicines were handled safely and infection control arrangements were in place. Staff knew people well and there was a caring culture.
Some improvements were still needed. The manager recognised that too many new admissions could make it harder for staff to update care plans as they got to know people. A risk list was briefly missing one new person's name, but it was corrected by the second day of the inspection.
The previous rating was Requires Improvement, with two regulatory breaches. Inspectors found enough improvement had been made and the home was no longer in breach. This inspection only examined Safe and Well-led, so the other areas were not inspected at this visit and their previous ratings were used.
Improved risk records
Care plans and risk assessments had been reviewed and updated since the previous inspection.
“Since our last inspection, the service had reviewed the care plans and risk assessments to ensure they contained up to date and relevant information about risks to people and their needs.” from the report
Safe medicines practice
Staff supported people to take medicines in a person-centred way. Medicines were stored securely and checks were used to identify errors.
“Staff supported people to take their medicines in a person-centred way and medicines were stored at the service securely.” from the report
Caring staff culture
Inspectors saw friendly, person-centred conversations and found that staff knew the people they supported well.
“We observed there to be a positive and caring culture amongst staff at the service.” from the report
Number of new admissions
needs fixingThe manager recognised that the number of new admissions needed better management so staff had time to learn about people and update their care plans.
“The registered manager recognised they needed to manage the number of new admissions into the service, so staff had the opportunity to review and update their care plans as they got to know people.” from the report
Risk list briefly incomplete
minorA list of people at increased risk from blood-thinning medicine did not initially include someone who had just moved in. It was updated by the second day, and staff knew the person's risks.
“The list hadn't included a person who moved into the service that week.” from the report
Incomplete work history record
minorOne staff member's work history was not clearly recorded at first. The manager confirmed it and updated the form.
“We noted for one staff member their work history wasn't clearly documented.” from the report
- 01How do you control the number of new admissions so care plans can be completed and updated promptly?
- 02How do you check a new resident's risks, including risks linked to blood-thinning medicine, on the day they arrive?
- 03What checks make sure staff recruitment records, including full work histories, are complete before staff start?
- 04How are relatives involved in the running of the home and how is their feedback acted on?
- 05What further staff training and home improvements have been completed since this inspection?
This was a focused inspection of Safe and Well-led, including infection control; Effective, Caring and Responsive were not inspected and their previous ratings carried over. This explanation was written from the published report of 23 December 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, February 2021
Inspected but not rated; inspectors were assured that infection prevention and control measures were keeping people safe.
This was an announced, targeted inspection on 28 January 2021. It focused on infection prevention and control during the COVID-19 outbreak.
Inspectors found measures for visitors, personal protective equipment, testing, cleaning, social distancing and safe admissions. They were also assured that the home could prevent or manage infection outbreaks.
The home was inspected but not rated. This means the report does not give an overall quality rating or a rated judgement for safe care.
Safer visiting
Visitors were screened for COVID-19 symptoms, given PPE and able to use a visiting room away from the main parts of the home.
“A visiting room had been created, which visitors accessed without going through the main parts of the home.” from the report
Cleaning
Inspectors found all areas clean. Records showed that extra cleaning had been completed, supported by specialist equipment to check surface cleanliness.
“All areas of the home were clean, and records demonstrated the additional cleaning had been completed.” from the report
Managing infection risk
The home used separate areas and staff teams, provided isolation for new residents and worked with public health colleagues during the outbreak.
“The provider had worked with the public health team to help manage the outbreak of COVID-19.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How are visitors currently screened for symptoms, and is PPE still provided?
- 02How do you now manage admissions and any isolation period for people moving into the home?
- 03How often are additional cleaning checks carried out, and how are the results recorded?
- 04How are COVID-19 or other infection tests arranged for residents and staff?
- 05What arrangements are currently used to prevent or manage an infection outbreak?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control only; it did not rate the other areas of care or give an overall rating. This explanation was written from the published report of 24 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.
Every inspection of OSJCT Bemerton Lodge
3 rated inspections over 5 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- December 2021Goodcurrent ratingSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- February 2021Inspected but not ratedSafe: Inspected but not rated
- September 2019Requires improvementdown from GoodSafe: Requires improvementWell-led: Requires improvement
- January 2017GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- January 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- September 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- January 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- November 2010
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 16 November 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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