Woodside Lodge

Welcome to Woodside Lodge, a care home in Bransgore, Christchurch, that provides personal care and accommodation for up to 21 older people. At the time of our review, 20 residents were living at the home. This targeted inspection, carried out on 17 March 2021 by the Care Quality Commission, specifically focused on evaluating the home's preparedness for the coronavirus pandemic and how well infection prevention and control measures were being managed.

When looking at how the home keeps everyone protected, the inspection found that visitors were successfully prevented from spreading infections, and shielding and social distancing rules were properly met. New residents were admitted safely, personal protective equipment was used effectively, and regular testing was successfully accessed for both staff and residents. The layout and hygiene practices promoted safety, infection policies were up to date, and outbreaks were managed or prevented well. Colour coding separated cleaning areas, and blue dots on bedroom doors clearly indicated when a resident was self-isolating so staff could adjust their care.

For the effective category, the home actively used the RESTORE2 tool to record vital signs and recognize if a resident's health was deteriorating or at risk. This important information was neatly stored inside hospital admission packs, ensuring hospital staff immediately knew how to meet each resident's individual needs if a transfer became necessary.

Regarding the caring aspect, management made a deliberate effort to support the emotional well-being of the team by organizing several fun charity events specifically designed to boost staff morale during challenging times.

In terms of being responsive, the provider created a bespoke visiting area that was both heated and ventilated to keep families connected safely. This designated space was nicely decorated to help both visitors and residents feel as comfortable as possible during their time together.

For the well-led category, strong organizational routines were clearly embedded into daily operations, such as detailed handovers between cleaning staff that were written up on the provider's messaging system. These digital notes ensured that cleaning schedules were always kept completely up to date and that no area of the home was ever missed.