CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Totham Lodge Home for the Elderly
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- People were protected from abuse and risks were assessed and reviewed. Staffing, recruitment checks, medicines and infection control were found to be safe, although two staff files initially lacked a full employment history.
- Effective?
- Good
- Staff received training and support, and people had suitable food, drinks and access to health professionals. Parts of the building and furniture needed refurbishment, and one change to a person's DoLS circumstances had not yet been reported to the supervisory body.
- Caring?
- Good
- Staff were kind, respectful and familiar with people's needs. Inspectors saw people being treated with dignity and supported to remain independent.
- Responsive?
- Good
- Care plans were person-centred and regularly reviewed, with activities and community involvement available. Some repositioning and cream application charts were not fully completed, and the sensory room was not being used effectively.
- Well-led?
- Good
- Managers were visible and promoted an open culture. Audits, surveys and feedback were used to monitor and improve the service.
What inspectors found, November 2018
Rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and responsive care, but parts of the building and some records needed improvement.
This was a comprehensive, unannounced inspection on 10 October 2018. Inspectors observed care, spoke with people, relatives, staff and health professionals, and checked care plans, staff files, training records and quality checks.
All five areas were rated Good: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. Inspectors found enough staff, safe medicines practice, suitable care planning, kind staff and active management oversight.
The main weaknesses were the tired condition of parts of the building, some incomplete care records and a missed update about a person's changing legal authorisation. The provider responded with an action plan for refurbishment and addressed some record-keeping issues during or after the inspection.
This was the first inspection since the service was registered under new ownership in September 2017. There was no previous CQC rating for comparison.
Safe care
Inspectors found that risks were identified and managed, staff understood safeguarding and people received their medicines as prescribed.
“People were protected from the risk of harm and abuse.” from the report
Kind and respectful staff
Staff knew people well and supported their dignity, privacy, independence and relationships.
“They knew people well and were sensitive to their needs.” from the report
Personalised care
Care plans included people's histories, preferences and support needs. They were reviewed when people's needs changed.
“Care plans were full, clear and person centred.” from the report
Visible management
Managers were regularly present, welcomed feedback and used audits and surveys to improve the service.
“There was an effective quality assurance system in place to assess and monitor the quality of the service.” from the report
Building needed repair
needs fixingSome sinks, furniture, window frames, paintwork and windows needed attention. The provider sent an action plan after the inspection, but there was no ongoing refurbishment plan at the time.
“However, parts of the building, bedrooms and furniture were in need of refurbishment and repair.” from the report
Incomplete care charts
needs fixingRecords showing repositioning and where creams had been applied were not always completed with full dates and times. Managers knew about this and were working with staff to improve it.
“charts recording when and how people were repositioned and where cream had been applied were not always being completed fully with dates and times.” from the report
Legal authorisation update
needs fixingManagers had not updated the supervisory body when one person's needs changed and bed rails were introduced. They said they would do this immediately.
“The registered manager told us they had not updated the supervisory body of these changes but would do this immediately.” from the report
Activities training
minorThe activities coordinator had not completed specific training for the role, including activities for people living with dementia.
“The activities coordinator had not completed any specific training to support them in their role” from the report
- 01What refurbishment and repairs identified in 2018 have now been completed, including the mould around bedroom sinks and worn furniture?
- 02How do you check that repositioning and cream application charts are completed fully and accurately?
- 03How do you make sure changes in people's needs are reported promptly to the relevant supervisory body?
- 04What training do activities staff now receive, particularly for supporting people living with dementia?
- 05What activities and trips are currently available for people who want more time outside the home?
This was a comprehensive inspection covering all five CQC questions and the premises and care provided; it was the first inspection under the service's new registration. This explanation was written from the published report of 28 November 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 Totham Lodge Home for the Elderly
Each visit the CQC has published, newest first, back to the day the home was registered.
- November 2018Goodcurrent ratingSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
Read what inspectors found at Totham Lodge Home for the Elderly →
- September 2017
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 28 September 2017.
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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35 live-in carers within about an hour of Essex
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 £1,020 to £1,260 a week. 25 can care for a couple. 10 years' experience on average.
“Not only was she professional, polite and efficient but she bought a lovely smile and laughter to my parents home.”
“She brought fun and stimulation into mums life.”
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.