CQC report explained · a nursing home
What the CQC found at Penwortham Grange and Lodge
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
What inspectors found, March 2021
Penwortham Grange and Lodge: inspectors were assured about infection control, but the service was inspected and not rated.
This was an announced, targeted inspection on 09 March 2021. It looked at how the home was preventing and controlling COVID-19 infections.
Inspectors were assured that the home had safe visiting arrangements, testing and screening, suitable use of protective equipment, regular testing, clean premises and up-to-date infection control policies.
The home had 48 people living there at the time. The report gives no overall quality rating and does not rate the service as good, requires improvement or inadequate.
Safe visiting
The home used screening, recorded visitor details, provided protective equipment and had two visiting pods. Video calls were also used to help people keep in touch.
“The provider had established robust systems to prevent visitors from spreading and catching infections.” from the report
Clean environment
The home was clean and hygienic. Frequently touched areas were cleaned regularly during the day.
“Cleaning schedules were in place and frequently touched areas were cleaned regularly throughout the day to reduce the risk of infection.” from the report
Staff protection
Staff used protective equipment safely. The home had sufficient stocks, regular testing and separate staff deployment between units.
“During our visit we observed the staff using PPE safely, he registered manager regularly monitored this.” from the report
Contact with relatives
The home used video calling and maintained regular contact with relatives during the pandemic.
“Technology such as video calling was used to facilitate contact between people and their relatives as well as medical professionals.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How are visitors currently screened, and what visiting arrangements are available now?
- 02How often are people living here and staff tested for infections?
- 03How do you manage admissions, including testing and any period of isolation?
- 04How are protective equipment supplies and staff use of protective equipment monitored?
- 05What arrangements are in place if there is an infection outbreak?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control during the coronavirus pandemic; it did not provide an overall quality rating or assess the other areas of care. This explanation was written from the published report of 26 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, November 2018
Penwortham Grange and Lodge was rated Good overall; inspectors found kind, safe care, but improvements were needed in consent, activities and medicines timing.
Inspectors visited on 25 and 26 September 2018. The first day was unannounced and the second was announced. They spoke with people living at the home, visitors and staff. They observed care, checked records and medicines, and looked at staffing, food, cleanliness, equipment and how the home was managed.
The home was rated Good for Safe, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. People generally said they felt safe, respected and well cared for. Inspectors saw friendly and patient staff, timely healthcare support, clean surroundings, safe recruitment and regular checks on quality.
Effective was rated Requires Improvement. Medicines were not always given with a long enough gap between doses, although the home acted immediately after this was found. Best-interests records and DoLS applications were not always completed promptly. Dementia-friendly equipment and suitable activities were also limited.
The overall rating stayed Good, as inspectors found no serious risks or concerns. The previous inspection had rated all five areas Good, so Effective had fallen to Requires Improvement at this inspection.
Kind and respectful care
Inspectors saw calm, patient and supportive interactions. People said staff respected their dignity, privacy and independence.
“The staff are very respectful. They make sure they keep my dignity intact.” from the report
Safe environment
The home was clean and maintained. Equipment, fire safety arrangements, water temperatures and infection control practices were checked and found suitable.
“We found equipment in use at the home had been serviced and maintained as required.” from the report
Food and nutrition
People had a choice of meals and received enough food, drinks and help. The kitchen was clean and had a variety of provisions.
“People were given a choice of meal and the food looked and smelled appetising.” from the report
Responsive management
The management team listened to people and relatives through meetings, surveys and complaints. Inspectors saw evidence that actions were taken when issues were identified.
“There were regular audits to govern, assess and monitor the quality of the service and staff.” from the report
Medicine intervals
seriousSome medicines were given without the advised gap between doses. Inspectors said this could cause unnecessary side effects or mean medicines were not active at the right times. The home took action immediately after the inspection.
“Not leaving an adequate gap between doses of this medicine could place people at risk of unnecessary side effects.” from the report
Consent and DoLS records
needs fixingBest-interests decisions were not always clearly recorded. Several DoLS applications had not been submitted or renewed promptly, although these were submitted on the second inspection day.
“Where people did not have capacity to make specific decisions best interests decisions were not always clearly recorded” from the report
Dementia-friendly activities
needs fixingThe Lodge did not have enough equipment, signage or activities to encourage interest and interaction for people living with dementia. The home said improvements were planned.
“Social and leisure equipment aimed at encouraging interest and interaction from people with dementia was not available on the units.” from the report
Staffing levels
needs fixingStaffing was usually sufficient during the inspection, but views were mixed. One dementia unit was busy and unsettled at lunchtime, and inspectors recommended keeping staffing levels under review.
“We recommend that staffing levels are kept under review to ensure sufficient staff numbers are available to support people with their care.” from the report
- 01How do you now make sure there is a safe interval between doses of each medicine?
- 02How are best-interests decisions recorded and how do you track DoLS applications and renewals?
- 03What dementia-friendly equipment, signage and activities are currently available in The Lodge?
- 04How do you review staffing levels at busy times, including mealtimes and Bank Holidays?
- 05What changes were made after the inspection to address the concerns about activities and staffing?
This was a comprehensive inspection covering the premises, care and all five CQC questions; the overall rating stayed Good, but Effective changed from Good to Requires Improvement. This explanation was written from the published report of 15 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 Penwortham Grange and Lodge
2 rated inspections over 4 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- March 2021Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- November 2018Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: Requires improvementCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- March 2015GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- October 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- March 2013
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 18 March 2013.
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.”
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.