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What the CQC found at Primrose Lodge Weymouth

Goodpublished 4 August 2025, 14 months ago

Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.

The latest report, explained

What inspectors found, April 2021

Primrose Lodge Weymouth was inspected but not rated; inspectors were assured about infection prevention and control.

This was an announced, targeted inspection on 7 April 2021. It looked at how well the home was prepared to prevent and control COVID-19 and other infections.

Inspectors found staff had extra training, used protective equipment correctly and had enough supplies. The home used testing, planned visits, hygiene checks and infection control audits.

The home also had plans for outbreaks and emergencies. Staff helped people and relatives understand isolation and took steps to reduce loneliness and distress.

The home was inspected but not rated. The report does not provide a full overall rating or ratings for the other four areas of care.

What inspectors praised
  • Protective equipment

    Staff had extra training, used protective equipment properly and had enough supplies available.

    “Staff were wearing their PPE appropriately during our visit.” from the report
  • Testing and visiting

    People and staff took part in whole-home testing. Visitors were tested before entry and visits were planned to reduce infection risks.

    “Visitors to the home were tested using lateral flow (rapid result) tests before entering the home.” from the report
  • Infection control checks

    The home carried out audits and spot checks, with action plans for any issues found.

    “Infection prevention and control audits took place and action plans were developed to follow up on any required actions.” from the report
  • Support during isolation

    Staff helped people and relatives understand isolation arrangements and considered how to reduce loneliness and distress.

    “Staff supported people and their relatives to understand the isolation processes and gave consideration as to how loneliness and distress could be alleviated during this time.” from the report
What inspectors were concerned about

Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.

Questions to ask them, based on this report
  1. 01How are protective equipment supplies, hand hygiene and infection control checks managed now?
  2. 02How would you manage an outbreak, and how would you keep relatives informed?
  3. 03How are visits arranged if there is an infection risk or an outbreak?
  4. 04How would you support my relative if they needed to isolate and became lonely or distressed?
  5. 05What are the home's current ratings for care areas that were not covered by this inspection?

This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control during the COVID-19 pandemic; it was not a full inspection and the service was inspected but not rated. This explanation was written from the published report of 30 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.

An earlier report, explained

What inspectors found, July 2018

Primrose Lodge Weymouth was rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and personalised care, with some limits on staff time and records still being improved.

This was a comprehensive, unannounced inspection over 15 and 16 May 2018. Inspectors spoke with people living in the home, relatives, staff and health professionals. They observed care and activities, and checked care records, medicines, recruitment files and quality checks.

People were found to be safe and supported by staff who knew them well. Medicines, recruitment, risk assessments, infection control and accident reviews were managed safely. People were involved in decisions about their care, food, daily routines and activities.

Inspectors found a kind and respectful approach, personalised care plans, good activities and strong links with relatives and health professionals. There was an open management culture and regular quality checks. The overall rating was Good, and all five areas were rated Good, continuing the rating from the previous inspection.

What inspectors praised
  • Safe medicines

    Medicines were stored, recorded and given safely. Staff explained medicines to people and checked their competence.

    “Medicines were managed safely. We observed people being supported with their prescribed medicines and also the storage and record keeping associated with this.” from the report
  • Kind, respectful care

    Staff knew people well and supported their choices, privacy and dignity. People were involved in decisions about their daily lives.

    “People were supported by staff who were consistently kind and respectful.” from the report
  • Activities and relationships

    The home provided varied activities, including individual sessions and trips out. Families were welcomed and supported to stay involved.

    “The home had a varied programme of group and individual activities.” from the report
  • Open management

    Staff and relatives described management as approachable and responsive. The home used meetings, surveys and audits to improve its work.

    “There was an open and inclusive culture within the home.” from the report
What inspectors were concerned about
  • Staff time at busy periods

    minor

    Inspectors saw occasions when staff were focused on tasks, which reduced the time available for conversation. Some people also said mornings and weekends could be busier.

    “The home had enough staff to meet people's identified needs although there were occasions during the inspection when staff appeared to be more task focused with this limiting the length of time they spent talking with people.” from the report
  • Care records being improved

    minor

    The home recognised that some electronic care records used standard wording rather than enough personal detail. Staff were receiving training to improve this.

    “The home had recognised that entries within electronic care records needed to become more personalised with less use of pre-set phrases.” from the report
  • Menu variety

    minor

    Most people were satisfied with the food, but one person felt the menu was repetitive. The home said alternatives were available.

    “One person said they liked some of the food but felt that the menu was "a bit repetitive with every Friday being fish day.” from the report
Questions to ask them, based on this report
  1. 01How do you make sure there is enough time for staff to talk with people during busy mornings and weekends?
  2. 02What progress has been made in making electronic care records more personal and less reliant on pre-set phrases?
  3. 03How do you respond when someone finds the menu repetitive, and what alternatives are available?
  4. 04How are newly recruited staff checked and introduced before they begin supporting people?
  5. 05How will my relative be involved in choosing their daily routine, activities, food and care plan?

This was a comprehensive inspection covering the premises, care provided and all five CQC questions. This explanation was written from the published report of 11 July 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.

The story over the years

Every inspection of Primrose Lodge Weymouth

2 rated inspections over 2 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.

  1. April 2021Inspected but not ratedcurrent rating
    Safe: Inspected but not rated

    Read what inspectors found at Primrose Lodge Weymouth →

  2. July 2018Goodstayed Good
    Safe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good

    Read what inspectors found at Primrose Lodge Weymouth →

  3. May 2016Good
    Safe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good

    Read this report on cqc.org.uk

  4. October 2013

    Report published without a new overall rating.

    Read this report on cqc.org.uk

  5. February 2013

    Report published without a new overall rating.

    Read this report on cqc.org.uk

  6. May 2011

    Report published without a new overall rating.

    Read this report on cqc.org.uk

  7. January 2011

    Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 18 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.

Next steps

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