CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Portelet Lodge Care Home
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
What inspectors found, October 2023
Inspected but not rated; inspectors found people safe and kind care, while fire safety improvements were still ongoing.
This was an unannounced targeted inspection on 19 September 2023. Inspectors checked a concern about risk management and also reviewed infection prevention and control.
Inspectors spoke with eight people and five staff. They reviewed seven people's risk assessments and care plans, as well as safety records and procedures.
They found that risks were identified, assessed and regularly reviewed. Staff understood how to support people safely. Fire safety work was ongoing, but there were emergency plans, drills and practice evacuations.
The home was inspected but not rated. Its previous overall rating was Good, published in 2017, and that rating remains unchanged because this inspection did not assess the whole service.
Clear risk management
People had risk assessments for their care and support needs. These were reviewed and updated when circumstances changed.
“Risk assessments were clear to understand. Regular reviews had taken place including updates as things changed.” from the report
Kind relationships
Inspectors observed warm and affectionate interactions between staff and people. The atmosphere was described as relaxed and lively.
“Staff and people interacted with each other in a kind and affectionate way.” from the report
Infection control
Inspectors were assured that the home had measures to prevent and manage infections, including safe use of protective equipment.
“We were assured that the provider was using PPE effectively and safely.” from the report
Emergency planning
People had personal emergency evacuation plans. The home had carried out fire drills and practice evacuations.
“The home had a robust emergency plan in place which had included fire drills and practice evacuations.” from the report
Fire safety work ongoing
minorImprovements to fire safety had not yet finished when inspectors visited. Ask what work remains and when it is expected to be completed.
“Fire safety improvements were ongoing, and the home had a robust emergency plan in place which had included fire drills and practice evacuations.” from the report
- 01What fire safety improvements were still outstanding at the time of the inspection, and have they now been completed?
- 02How often are residents' risk assessments reviewed, and how are changes shared with staff?
- 03When will the next comprehensive inspection assess the whole Safe key question?
- 04How are personal emergency evacuation plans kept up to date?
- 05How does the home check that infection prevention measures continue to work during an outbreak?
This was a targeted inspection of risk management and infection prevention and control under Safe; it did not assess the whole key question, so the previous Good rating carried over. This explanation was written from the published report of 4 October 2023 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 2022
Inspected but not rated; inspectors found strong infection control, safe visiting arrangements and kind care during the COVID-19 pandemic.
This was a targeted, announced inspection on 16 February 2022. It focused on infection prevention and control, visiting arrangements and whether COVID-19 staffing pressures affected care.
Inspectors found that visitors were offered testing, health checks, temperature checks, hand hygiene facilities and PPE. Staff vaccination records and testing were monitored. The home had good supplies of PPE and staff used it correctly.
The home was clean and had plans for outbreaks and staff shortages. People said they felt happy and safe. Inspectors also saw kind and caring interactions and found that the home helped people keep in touch with relatives.
The service was inspected but not rated. This means the inspection did not give a new overall rating or a full rating for all five areas of care.
Infection control
The home had processes for visitor checks, testing, PPE, vaccination records and hand hygiene. Inspectors were assured that infection risks were being managed.
“We were assured that the provider was preventing visitors from catching and spreading infections.” from the report
Clean surroundings
Inspectors found the home clean and saw that domestic staff cleaned shared areas, touch points and carried out weekly deep cleaning.
“The home was a good standard of cleanliness.” from the report
Kind staff interactions
People told inspectors they felt safe and happy. Inspectors observed staff interacting with people in a kind and caring way.
“Kind and caring interactions between staff and people were noted.” from the report
Support for family contact
The home supported people to keep in touch with loved ones and changed its visiting arrangements as guidance changed.
“People were supported to maintain contact with their loved ones during the COVID-19 pandemic.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How are staffing pressures monitored, and what happens if COVID-19 or other illness affects staffing?
- 02How will you keep relatives informed if visiting rules change or there is an outbreak?
- 03How often are PPE supplies, cleaning and high-touch areas checked?
- 04How are people supported to keep in contact with relatives if visiting inside the home is restricted?
- 05How are risk assessments updated when a person's health or COVID-19-related risks change?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control, visiting arrangements and COVID-19-related staffing pressures; the service was inspected but not rated. This explanation was written from the published report of 24 February 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.
Every inspection of Portelet Lodge Care Home
2 rated inspections over 2 years: the service has improved, from Requires improvement to Good.
- October 2023Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- February 2022Inspected but not ratedSafe: Inspected but not rated
- January 2018Goodup from Requires improvementSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- May 2016Requires improvementSafe: Requires improvementEffective: Requires improvementCaring: GoodResponsive: Requires improvementWell-led: Good
- May 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- January 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- December 2011
Report published without a new overall rating.
- January 2011
Report published without a new overall rating.
- January 2011
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 27 January 2011.
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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37 live-in carers within about an hour of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole
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 £1,000 to £1,340 a week. 26 can care for a couple. 11 years' experience on average.
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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.