What the CQC found at Stoneacre Lodge Residential Home

Inspectors found enough staff on both inspection days to meet people's needs.

“On both days of inspection, we found there were enough staff available to meet people's needs.” from the report

The home had recruitment procedures and pre-employment checks to help ensure suitable people were employed.

“This included pre-employment checks to ensure suitable people were employed.” from the report

Although care plans were not always person-centred, inspectors found that staff were kind and knew people's needs well.

“However, staff were caring, kind and were knowledgeable about people's needs and knew people very well.” from the report

Relatives told inspectors that staff and managers communicated well and would tell them about changes in care.

“Relatives we spoke with told us the management team and staff communicated with them well.” from the report

Relatives were able to visit under the arrangements used by the home, including a lateral flow test before visiting.

“Relatives told us they were able to visit and confirmed they had a lateral flow test (LFT) prior to visiting.” from the report

Some emergency evacuation plans were missing or out of date. Weight checks and pressure-area risk monitoring were also not always current.

“Risks associated with people's care had not always been managed effectively.” from the report

Inspectors found an overfull clinical waste store, poor laundry separation, damaged surfaces and incorrect use of PPE. The infection control audit had not been completed since August 2020.

“Staff were seen not wearing PPE correctly, touching their masks and wearing same gloves for different tasks.” from the report

Medication records did not always show that medicines had been given as prescribed. Some records lacked signatures, opening dates or stock balances.

“Processes in place did not evidence medicines were given as prescribed.” from the report

Care plan and infection control audits were overdue, and problems found in audits were not always resolved. This was linked to changes in the management team and a vacant deputy manager post.

“The systems in place to monitor and improve the quality of the service were not effective.” from the report

Inspectors found limited choices at lunchtime, written-only menus, restricted access in a communal area and care plans that did not reflect current needs.

“Care plans were not person centred or reflective of people's current needs.” from the report

The incident record had not been updated since 2020. One concern reported to the local authority had not initially been reported to CQC, although it was later reported retrospectively.

“We identified one concern that had been reported to the local authority but not to CQC.” from the report