Wessex Lodge Nursing Home

This report from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) details an inspection of Wessex Lodge Nursing Home. It focuses on assessing key aspects of the care provided to residents, specifically looking at safety and leadership. The inspection aimed to verify improvements made since a previous review, where some areas required attention. Overall, the findings provide families with insights into how the home functions, its current standards, and areas where it is excelling or could further develop.

On safety, residents feel secure, and the home has made positive changes to address previous concerns, notably by completing all urgent actions from fire risk assessments. Measures are in place to manage individual safety risks, and the home is well-prepared for infection prevention and control, although there was a minor observation that some staff could more consistently use the most appropriate personal protective equipment. Systems are in place to protect residents from abuse, and staff are aware of how to respond to safeguarding concerns. There are sufficient staff to meet residents' needs, and recruitment processes are thorough. Medication is managed safely and in line with good practice.

In terms of how effective the care is, the report focuses on the leadership and management of the home. The service is now considered well-led, with a new registered manager and clinical lead in place who have significantly improved governance. Residents and their families have reported experiencing very positive, personalised care. While the new management team is generally well-regarded by staff, some families suggested that communication could be enhanced to provide more individualised updates about their loved ones' care. Staff feel supported and that their views are valued.

The home has established clear governance systems and a strong focus on continuous improvement, with regular audits and action plans to drive further enhancements. They are also working collaboratively with external agencies to ensure residents' healthcare needs are met, with new initiatives in place to improve access to various health services.