CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at The Lodge
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- People's risks were assessed and monitored, staffing levels were sufficient, and medicines were safely received, stored and given. Infection prevention arrangements were also found to be effective.
- Effective?
- Good
- Care assessments were comprehensive and people and relatives were involved in care planning. Staff had the training and skills needed, and people were supported with nutrition, healthcare and decisions about consent.
- Caring?
- Good
- Staff were kind and compassionate, respected privacy and personal space, and supported people to communicate and make everyday choices. People were encouraged to do as much as possible for themselves.
- Responsive?
- Good
- Care records described people's preferences and communication needs. People were supported to take part in activities, use the wider community and maintain contact with family.
- Well-led?
- Good
- The registered manager was visible and approachable, and staff understood their responsibilities. Audits and other systems were used to monitor quality and improve the service.
What inspectors found, May 2022
The Lodge is rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and personalised care across all five areas.
This was an unannounced inspection over two visits on 12 and 13 April 2022. One inspector observed daily life, spoke with one person, six staff members, two relatives and health and social care professionals.
The inspector checked care and medicine records, staff recruitment and supervision records, infection control, safety systems and how the home was managed. They found people were supported by staff who knew them well, with choice, dignity and independence promoted.
All five areas were rated Good: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. The previous inspection rating was also Good, published on 21 June 2018, and all five ratings remained unchanged.
Choice and independence
People were supported to make choices about daily life and to achieve their goals. They also took part in everyday tasks and activities.
“People's independence was promoted, people had a choice of how they wanted to live their life and staff supported them to achieve their goals.” from the report
Kind, respectful care
Inspectors found caring relationships and saw staff respect people's boundaries, privacy and dignity.
“People received care and support from staff who had developed caring, positive and compassionate relationships with them.” from the report
Personalised support
Care records reflected individual needs, preferences and communication methods. Staff used approaches such as Makaton, gestures and facial expressions where needed.
“People's care, support and treatment records reflected their individual needs and how to promote their well-being whilst providing care and support.” from the report
Activities and relationships
People were supported to stay in touch with family and take part in activities both at home and in the community.
“People were encouraged to take part in a variety of activities both in the home and in the wider community and had access to transport.” from the report
Consistent staff team
The report says staff knew people well and had the skills and training needed to meet their needs safely.
“People received care and support from a consistent staff team who knew them well.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How will you assess and support my relative's particular communication needs, including if they do not communicate verbally?
- 02What activities and community opportunities would be available for my relative, based on their interests and preferences?
- 03How would you support my relative's specific health conditions, dietary needs and access to appointments?
- 04How are medicine audits and staff competency checks carried out, and how would any problems be addressed?
- 05How would my relative and our family be involved in decisions about care, including any mental capacity or best-interest decisions?
This was an unannounced inspection covering all five key questions, including infection prevention and control, and all five ratings remained Good. This explanation was written from the published report of 11 May 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.
What inspectors found, June 2018
The Lodge was rated Good; inspectors found safe, caring and personalised support, with some records and a Legionnaires’ disease risk assessment still being updated.
This was an unannounced comprehensive inspection on 8 and 14 May 2018. The inspector observed daily care, spoke with staff, relatives and other professionals, and checked care records, medicines, recruitment, training and management records.
The home was rated Good in all five areas: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. People appeared comfortable and relaxed, and staff understood their communication methods, needs and routines.
Inspectors found safe medicines management, enough staff, suitable training and good support with health care, food, activities and family relationships. The home had remained Good since the previous inspection in September 2015.
There were two areas being addressed. Some care plans needed updating after changes in people's needs, and there was not yet a risk assessment or control measures for Legionnaires’ disease. The provider said work was under way.
Kind and respectful staff
Staff treated people with kindness and dignity. They understood how people communicated and used calm reassurance when people were anxious or distressed.
“Throughout the inspection we heard and saw staff speaking and treating people in a dignified and respectful manner.” from the report
Personalised support
Care plans described people's routines, goals, communication methods and preferred support. Staff used this information to help people make choices and remain independent.
“The plans were personalised and detailed how the person needed and preferred care and support to be delivered.” from the report
Safe medicines and staffing
Inspectors found enough staff to keep people safe and support activities. Medicines were obtained, stored, given and disposed of appropriately.
“Systems were in place that showed people's medicines were managed consistently and safely by staff.” from the report
Good activities and family links
People were supported to take part in activities they enjoyed, go out and stay in touch with relatives and friends.
“People were supported to lead active, meaningful and interesting lives.” from the report
Legionnaires’ disease risk assessment
needs fixingAt the inspection, the home did not have a risk assessment or control measures to reduce this risk. The manager said the provider was working to put these in place.
“However, the service did not have a risk assessment in place or control measures to minimise the risk of Legionnaires disease.” from the report
Some care plans needed updating
needs fixingSome records did not yet reflect recent changes in people's needs. The manager had a plan and timescales for reviewing and updating them.
“It was noted that some care plans needed updating to reflect recent changes in people's needs.” from the report
- 01What action has been completed since the inspection to assess and control the risk of Legionnaires’ disease?
- 02Have all care plans been updated to reflect current needs, and how often are they now reviewed?
- 03How will staff support my relative's communication, choices and independence?
- 04How will you make sure staffing levels are maintained when my relative goes out or takes part in activities?
- 05How will you involve our family in care reviews and respond to any concerns?
This was an unannounced comprehensive inspection covering all five quality areas, and the ratings remained Good from the previous inspection in September 2015. This explanation was written from the published report of 21 June 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 The Lodge
3 rated inspections over 6 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- May 2022Goodcurrent ratingstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- June 2018Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- November 2015GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- January 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- April 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- August 2011
Report published without a new overall rating.
- 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.
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9 live-in carers within about an hour of Plymouth
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.
8 can care for a couple. 9 years' experience on average.
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.