Longwood Lodge

Longwood Lodge Care Home: CQC Inspection Summary

This recent inspection report by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) at Longwood Lodge provides a detailed overview of the care provided to residents. While the home benefits from many positive aspects, the report highlights specific areas that require attention to ensure consistently high standards across all domains of care. The findings reflect a shift from the previous inspection, indicating a need for focused improvements.

On safety, the home has systems in place for safe recruitment and sufficient staffing levels, with residents and relatives generally feeling safe and staff working diligently. Infection control measures are also in place, and relevant safety checks of the building and equipment are performed. However, improvements are needed regarding medicine management, including accuracy of records for topical creams and drink thickeners, and ensuring correct storage temperatures for some medications.

In terms of how effective the care is, residents are supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives, with staff adhering to the least restrictive principles. The service has systems for gathering feedback from staff, residents, and their families, and maintains good links with the local community and other organisations.

Regarding caring practices, residents and relatives consistently reported feeling safe due to the good and kind nature of the staff, who are described as informative, loving, and sometimes going beyond duty. Safeguarding policies are in place, staff training is up-to-date, and incidents are logged with actions for prevention.

In the area of being responsive, the home has made efforts to gather feedback through surveys and meetings. While no specific findings are detailed for this section in the summary, the overall picture suggests engagement with residents and their families.

Finally, looking at how well-led the service is, the management team is clear about their roles and responsibilities, and staff report a positive culture and good support from the manager. Residents and relatives are happy with the care provided, highlighting good outcomes. However, audits for medicine management did not always identify concerns in a timely manner, and appropriate systems were not always in place for effective oversight of medication, indicating a need for improved governance.