Foresters Lodge

Updated 8 April 2026

Date of Assessment: 5 and 7 May 2026.

Foresters Lodge is a residential and nursing care home providing care for up to 69 people, primarily older adults, including people living with dementia and those with complex health needs. There were 62 people living at the service at the time of the inspection.

People experienced care that was kind, respectful and generally person centred. Staff knew people well and interactions were warm and compassionate, with people appearing relaxed and comfortable in their presence. People and relatives spoke positively about staff attitudes and the caring culture. People were supported to maintain choice and independence, including around daily routines, meals and activities, and staff respected people’s wishes when they declined care.

However, there were significant shortfalls in safety and consistency of practice. The service was in breach of Regulations in relation to unsafe medicines management, including poor storage, expired items and incomplete records, which increased the risk of avoidable harm. Infection prevention and control practices were not consistently effective, environmental risks were not always well managed, and staffing pressures affected responsiveness, particularly on the first day of inspection. Governance systems had not reliably identified or addressed these issues, despite audits and monitoring being in place.

Leadership was caring and approachable, and managers responded to concerns raised during the inspection, with some improvements made promptly. Staff felt supported and able to speak up. However, managers did not always ensure learning was embedded or that standards were applied consistently across the service. Overall, Foresters Lodge had a strong caring ethos and positive relationships, but required improvement to ensure safe, effective and consistent care for everyone.

Updated 8 April 2026

People living at Foresters Lodge experienced care that was kind, respectful and centred on their individual needs. People appeared relaxed in the company of staff and were observed to be treated with warmth, dignity and patience. Staff knew people well and spoke confidently about how they adapted their approach to suit different personalities, routines and preferences.

People were supported by a generally stable staff team, which helped promote continuity of care and trusting relationships. Staff described positive relationships with people and pride in the care they provided. One staff member told us, “I need to care for people, that’s why I came here. I wish all care homes could be like this one.” Another said, “It’s a nice place to work. People are treated well. Management are good and you can always go to them.” This was reflected in the friendly atmosphere observed across the home.

People were supported to maintain choice and independence wherever possible, including around meals, daily routines and activities. Staff described how people could choose alternatives to the menu and were encouraged to eat foods they enjoyed. A member of staff told us that people were able to choose alternatives to the planned meal, and the kitchen would accommodate requests for off-menu options. People who preferred quieter time or their own company were respected, while others were supported to take part in activities or gardening based on their interests.

Relatives were assured about their family member’s safety, comfort and the kindness of staff. Relatives described staff as approachable and responsive when concerns were raised and valued being kept informed about changes in wellbeing.

Overall, the atmosphere at Foresters Lodge was caring and inclusive. Staff engagement with people was genuine and compassionate, and people benefited from being supported by a team who understood them well and were committed to providing person‑centred care.