CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Roby Lodge
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors found that risks were assessed and managed, medicines were used safely, staffing and recruitment processes were suitable, and infection control and cleanliness were strong.
- Effective?
- Good
- People's needs were assessed, staff had relevant training, and people received support with food, drink and healthcare. Consent and best-interest decisions were handled in line with the law.
- Caring?
- Good
- Staff were kind, patient and respectful. Inspectors found that people's dignity, independence, choices and personal relationships were supported.
- Responsive?
- Good
- Care plans were personalised and reviewed. People were offered activities, supported to keep relationships and given information about complaints and communication in suitable formats.
- Well-led?
- Good
- Inspectors found positive leadership, clear responsibilities, effective quality checks and a culture of learning. People, families and staff were involved in improving the home.
What inspectors found, March 2023
Rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and personalised care, with all five areas rated Good.
This was an unannounced planned inspection on 19 January 2023. Inspectors spoke with people living in the home, family members and staff. They reviewed care, medicines, recruitment and management records.
The report describes people as safe and well supported. Risks were assessed, medicines were managed safely, staffing and recruitment checks were in place, and the home was clean. Inspectors also found that staff supported people's health, diet, choices, dignity and independence.
Inspectors found a personalised service with activities, family involvement and ways to raise complaints. They also found positive leadership, good record keeping and systems used to learn from incidents and improve care.
The overall rating was Good. Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led were all rated Good. The home had a Good rating at the previous inspection under the former provider, published on 6 December 2017.
Clean and hygienic
The home had strong infection control arrangements and high standards of cleanliness, including in the kitchen and laundry areas.
“High standards of cleanliness and hygiene were maintained across the service including kitchen and laundry areas.” from the report
Kind and respectful staff
Staff were described as patient and respectful. Inspectors saw staff reassuring people and supporting their dignity and independence.
“Staff were kind, patient and respectful towards people.” from the report
Personalised care and activities
Care plans reflected people's preferences and were reviewed. People were offered activities and support to maintain important relationships.
“People were supported to follow their interests and to develop and maintain important relationships.” from the report
Positive leadership
Managers were approachable and used checks, feedback and incident reviews to improve the service.
“The providers quality assurance systems and processes were used effectively in identifying and making improvements.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How many staff are on each shift now, and how do their skills match the needs of the people living here?
- 02How are care plans reviewed when a person's health, mobility or communication needs change?
- 03What activities are currently available, and how are people's individual interests used to plan them?
- 04How are families involved in care reviews and decisions about their relative's care?
- 05How are complaints, accidents and incidents recorded and used to make improvements?
This was a planned inspection which included infection prevention and control under Safe; the report says ratings for key questions not inspected were carried forward from the previous inspection. This explanation was written from the published report of 18 March 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
Roby Lodge was inspected but not rated; inspectors found strong COVID-19 infection controls.
This was an announced, targeted inspection on 4 February 2022. The inspectors looked at infection prevention and control, visiting arrangements, admissions, and whether COVID-19 staffing pressures affected the home.
The inspectors found that visitors had to show a negative lateral flow test, have their temperature checked and show their vaccination status. Testing, vaccination, social distancing, cleaning, ventilation and the use of protective equipment were all found to be in place.
The home was inspected but not rated. This means the visit did not give an overall quality rating or a full rating across all five areas of care.
Visitor infection checks
Visitors had to follow several checks before entering, including showing a negative lateral flow test and vaccination status.
“Prior to entering the home visitors were required to show evidence of a negative lateral flow device (LFD) test, have their temperature checked and show evidence of their COVID-19 vaccination status.” from the report
Testing and vaccination
There was a testing programme for residents and staff, and non-exempt staff were vaccinated in line with legal requirements.
“There was a COVID-19 testing programme in place for people living at the home and staff.” from the report
Clean and well prepared premises
Inspectors found the home clean, hygienic and well ventilated, with suitable cleaning products and protective equipment available.
“The premises were clean, hygienic and well ventilated throughout.” from the report
Safe use of protective equipment
Staff had infection prevention and control training, including how to use and dispose of protective equipment safely.
“Staff completed infection prevention and control (IPC) training which included the safe use and disposal of personal protective equipment (PPE).” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01What infection control and visiting arrangements are in place now, and how do they compare with those described in the report?
- 02How are you managing staffing pressures if staff are absent because of COVID-19?
- 03How often are residents and staff tested now, and how are the results recorded?
- 04How do you support residents who find social distancing difficult or upsetting?
- 05When was the home's infection prevention and control policy last updated?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control, visiting arrangements and COVID-19-related staffing pressures; it did not provide an overall rating or assess all five care questions. This explanation was written from the published report of 22 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 Roby Lodge
4 rated inspections over 8 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- March 2023Goodcurrent ratingSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- February 2022Inspected but not ratedSafe: Inspected but not rated
- December 2017Goodup from Requires improvementSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- March 2017Requires improvementdown from GoodSafe: Requires improvementEffective: Requires improvementCaring: Requires improvementResponsive: Requires improvementWell-led: Inadequate
- March 2015GoodSafe: GoodEffective: Requires improvementCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- August 2021
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 27 August 2021.
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
At least 100 live-in carers within about an hour of Knowsley
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. 91 can care for a couple. 10 years' experience on average.
“It was clear that she genuinely cared and her warm approach really helped put our minds at ease.”
“He developed a close affinity with Terence, spending time talking with him before he retired to bed and looking after his needs during the night.”
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.