CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at York Lodge
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors were assured about testing, personal protective equipment, visitors and outbreak arrangements. They were only somewhat assured about safe admissions, cleanliness in some areas and whether the infection control policy reflected current guidance.
- Effective?
- Good
- Does the care work? Training, consent, food and drink, working with GPs and nurses.
- Caring?
- Good
- Are people treated with kindness and dignity?
- Responsive?
- Good
- Is care built around the person? Care plans, activities, complaints.
- Well-led?
- Good
- Is the home run well? The manager, the culture, how problems get found and fixed.
What inspectors found, April 2021
York Lodge: Inspected but not rated; inspectors found good COVID-19 controls but some hygiene and guidance arrangements needed improvement.
This was a targeted inspection on 30 March 2021. It looked at infection prevention and control during the COVID-19 pandemic, rather than the full range of care quality.
Inspectors found several good practices. Most people had received a COVID-19 vaccine with their consent, testing was available, people could access the community, and visitors were welcomed with safety measures.
However, inspectors were only somewhat assured about safe admissions, the cleanliness of some areas, and whether the infection control policy was up to date. They signposted the home to current guidance and resources.
The service was inspected but not rated. This means the report does not give a Good, Requires improvement or Inadequate rating for the home overall.
Vaccination and testing
Most people had received a COVID-19 vaccine with their consent. People and staff also had access to regular testing.
“The majority of people living at the service had received a Covid-19 vaccine and their consent had been obtained.” from the report
Safe community access
People could go out into the community, with risk assessments and practical measures such as masks and hand sanitiser.
“People were able to access the community freely; risk assessments were in place for this.” from the report
Visitors supported
Visitors were welcomed with masks and hand sanitiser. Staff also helped people keep in touch by video call when family visits were not possible.
“Visitors were welcomed and required to wear masks and use hand sanitiser” from the report
Inconsistent cleanliness
needs fixingInspectors found that hygiene practices were not consistent and that some areas appeared unclean. The registered manager was reviewing audits to improve this.
“Hygiene practices throughout the service were not consistent. Some areas of the service appeared unclean.” from the report
Admission guidance
needs fixingInspectors were only somewhat assured that people were being admitted safely. The home was directed to current government guidance.
“We signposted the service to current government guidance on safe admission to care homes.” from the report
Policy was not fully up to date
needs fixingThe infection prevention and control policy contained information that was inconsistent with current guidance. The registered manager said this would be addressed.
“We identified information was inconsistent with regards to current guidance.” from the report
- 01What changes have been made to cleaning and hygiene since inspectors found some areas unclean?
- 02How do you now check that new admissions follow current government guidance?
- 03Has the infection prevention and control policy been updated, and when was it last reviewed?
- 04What detailed audits are now used to check infection control consistently?
- 05How are COVID-19 testing and vaccination choices managed for new and existing residents?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control during the COVID-19 pandemic; it did not provide ratings for the other areas of care. 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.
What inspectors found, December 2019
York Lodge was rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and personalised care, with only minor staff-record updates needed.
This was an unannounced inspection on 24 October 2019. The inspector and an expert by experience spoke with nine people, five staff members and a visiting healthcare professional. They also reviewed care plans, medicines records, staff files and management records.
The home supported 22 people with mental health needs and could support up to 24 people. Inspectors found that people felt safe, were treated with kindness and were supported to live as independently as possible. Staff helped people access healthcare, keep in touch with family and take part in activities.
All five areas were rated Good: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. This means inspectors found consistently good care and management at the time of the inspection. The previous inspection, published in January 2017, was also rated Good.
People felt at home
People said they felt safe and settled. Staff knew them well and supported them to live as independently as possible.
“I have been to lots places. This is the best home. It is my home now.” from the report
Choice and independence
People were supported to make their own choices, go out, maintain relationships and take positive risks safely.
“People were supported to make decisions about their care and their lives at every opportunity.” from the report
Personalised care
Care plans included people's preferences, hobbies and communication needs. People and their families were involved in writing the plans.
“People were included in the writing of the care plans as were their families.” from the report
Kind staff
Inspectors saw relaxed and friendly interactions. Staff had time to talk with people and support activities such as beauty treatments and trips out.
“We saw staff and people chatting naturally and being friendly towards each other.” from the report
Some staff records needed updating
minorSome staff files did not have a recent photograph. The assistant manager arranged to update them, and the registered manager confirmed this was followed up.
“Some staff files had not been updated, for example they did not have a recent photograph included” from the report
- 01How are staff files and recruitment checks kept fully up to date?
- 02How will you review and update my relative's care plan when their mental health needs or preferences change?
- 03How will my relative be supported to stay independent and take safe positive risks?
- 04How do staff support people to attend healthcare appointments and understand advice given?
- 05How can my relative and family raise concerns or suggest changes?
This was an unannounced planned inspection covering all five CQC questions, and it looked at both the care provided and the home itself. This explanation was written from the published report of 11 December 2019 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 York Lodge
2 rated inspections over 3 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- April 2021Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- December 2019Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- January 2017GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- February 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- June 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- November 2011
Report published without a new overall rating.
- January 2011
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 17 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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28 live-in carers within about an hour of West Sussex
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 £1,170 a week. 23 can care for a couple. 11 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.