- Care home
Newgate Lodge Care Home
Assessment report published 28 September 2026
Contents
Ratings
Our view of the service
About the service
Newgate Lodge Care Home is a care home that provides accommodation and personal care for up to 60 people. At the time of the assessment 53 were in receipt of support. CQC only inspects where people receive personal care. This is help with tasks related to personal hygiene and eating. Where they do, we also consider any wider social care provided.
Who the service is for
This service supports older people and people living with dementia.
We carried out this assessment on 18 August 2026. This service was previously rated as good. We carried out this assessment to confirm whether the rating of good remains accurate. This report does not provide detailed information on areas where we found practice continues to meet a good standard. Instead, our findings focus on any areas where the service needs to improve or where we found exceptional practice.
People were supported by staff who were recruited safely and had the right skills, values and training to safely support them even during periods of distress. There were enough staff available both day and night. There were effective systems in place to safeguard people from abuse. Risk was assessed and actions were put in place to reduce risks which were discussed with the people themselves, relatives and professionals.
Medicines were managed safely and effectively, and people received their medicines consistently. As required medicines had supporting documentation to guide staff on how to safely administer these and when. All medicines were appropriately stored and recorded, and we saw evidence of stock management and auditing processes. The home was cleaned and maintained to a high standard and followed infection control processes including the appropriate use of personal protective equipment.
People were supported by kind and compassionate staff who provided genuine caring support, respected people’s dignity, privacy and autonomy. Staff we spoke with were passionate about ensuring people felt they were at home. One staff member said, “This maybe my place of work but first and foremost it’s people’s home, it’s a privilege to be able to support them.” Staff knew people well, they described detailed care plans, they helped guide them to support people in line with their needs and wishes but also described time dedicated to socialising with people to enable them to form trusting relationships.
Throughout the assessment we observed staff promoting independence and offering choice. The home provided facilities for relatives and the people they were visiting to make their own drinks and food ensuring a familiar and welcoming environment. Equality and diversity was respected which included people’s individual spirituality and dietary needs.
Leaders demonstrated a positive and open approach to learning and improvement. Staff told us they were encouraged to give their feedback, and all levels of management had an open-door policy. One staff member said, “The owner comes in at least twice a week, they know every staff member by name and that means so much, to know we are that valued.” Another staff member said, “The [registered] manager and deputy manager are amazing, they are visible, get involved within the home and always have time for us if needed, whether that be to help or just listen.”
People's experience of this service
People we spoke with told us there was always enough staff to support them. One person said, “There is always a staff member about, I have never had to wait to be supported.” We observed people being supported with kind and compassionate person-centred care. Staff were knowledgeable about people and knew how to support them in line with their wishes. One person said, “[Staff] 11/10 every time, they are just fabulous.”
We asked people how they spent their days and what activities were available to them. People described a busy schedule of personalised and group activities. One person said, “Wow have you seen our activities board, we have lots to do.” People described regular parties and events that their relatives were invited to, along with entertainment such as singers who attended the home. Another person described how they had attended a baking session the previous day and had enjoyed making cookies.
We asked people what it was like living at Newgate Lodge Care Home and one person said, “This is my home and I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else,” another person described it as, “One big family”
Residents’ meetings were held, which allowed people an opportunity to raise concerns or give suggestions. One person told us in detail about suggestions that had been made to menu choices at mealtimes. “They really listened, the food has always been good but with so many people we all like different things, we have about 6 hot menu items at each meal to choose from now, I’m spoilt for choice.”
People who lacked capacity including those with dementia resided on the first floor of the home. We observed the lunch time meal service in this area. The environment was calm and welcoming. People received timely support with their nutritional needs whererequired. Staff offered choice and spent time explaining the food available to people to encourage them to make their own decisions and choices. People responded well to staff and were fully engaged in the experience.
Although communal areas were hives of activity and people were busy and socialising with each other throughout the assessment, people told us they also had the option for quiet time and their personal space if they chose. One person said, “I can go back to my room anytime I like. I like to go back in the evenings and relax and watch my own TV.”
People described the person-centred care they received. For example, one person said, “I can have a lie in whenever I want and still get breakfast of my choosing once I’m up.” Another commented on the environment and said, “I love how the place smells, its smells homely and not like a care home, that was important to me.”
Throughout the assessment our observations showed people were given choices, communicated with in a way that was meaningful to them and had their dignity and privacy respected. Everyone we spoke with said they would recommend Newgate Lodge Care Home as a good place to live.