- Care home
Bridge House Residential Home
We issued a Warning Notice to Lotus Care (Bridge House) Limited on 2 April 2026 for failing to meet the regulation relating to good governance at Bridge House Residential Home.
Assessment report published 2 September 2025
Contents
Ratings
Our view of the service
The assessment began on 8 July 2025 and concluded on the 6 August 2025. Bridge House provides accommodation and personal care for up to 30 people. At the time of our assessment there were 25 people living at the home.
The assessment was prompted in part due to information of concern received in relation to people’s care and support, staffing, the environment and hygiene standards and management and oversight. This assessment examined those concerns. We looked at 22 of the quality statements across the 5 key questions. During this assessment we identified 4 breaches of regulation in relation to the environment, training and development, recruitment and governance.
The service had not had a registered manager since May 2023. Three further appointments had been made since that time. At the time of our visit the new manager had been in post 4 weeks.
Management systems to help monitor and review care standards needed to be fully embedded to evidence effective oversight and on-going improvements within the service. Due to the concerns, the local authority had also carried out a quality monitoring visit. Areas of improvement identified had been included in the home’s business improvement plan.
All necessary pre-employment checks were not in place for new staff. Areas of staff training and development also needed improving so staff were effectively supported in their role. We received a mixed response from staff about working at Bridge House and the impact of management changes.
A staffing dependency tool was utilised to determine staffing levels required. These were reflected on the rotas. However, from our observations and feedback from staff, sufficient numbers of staff were not always available. Some staff felt there was also little opportunity to engage in meaningful activities with people or provide personalised care.
Electronic care records were being implemented. A review of people’s records showed information about people’s wishes and preferences needed to be improved. Monitoring of potential areas of risk also needed improving so that changes in need could easily be identified and responded to.
People received their medicines as prescribed. However, records to reflect variable doses or when required medicines needed more detail. Staff worked with relevant agencies in meeting people’s healthcare needs.
On-going work was required to improve the standard of accommodation. Servicing and checks in relation to the premises and equipment were carried out. However, a satisfactory mains electric check was not in place. Work had been completed to improve fire safety. Further fire drills were needed to ensure all staff were aware of the procedure to follow in the event of an emergency.
We have asked the provider for an action plan in response to the concerns found at this assessment.
People's experience of this service
We spoke with 3 people and 5 relatives about their experiences. For those people not able to tell us about their experiences, we spent time observing interactions between people and staff.
People said they felt safe and well cared for. However, not everyone felt there were enough staff available to support in a timely way or provide the level of supervision required. Staff were said to respond when people rang for assistance.
People said they could choose when they got up or retired to bed. We were told a new activities worker had been appointed and activities were being provided. We observed people enjoying these activities. Some people spoke about day trips and outings they had previously taken part in but told us these were no longer provided.
People looked clean and were appropriately dressed. Staff were described as kind and patient when providing care and support. People said they had access to health care professionals, such as the GP or podiatrist, when needed and staff supported them to take their prescribed medicines to help keep them well.
A weekly menu was in place offering a choice of meals. Meals served were well-balanced with plenty of vegetables, and refreshments were served throughout the day. Where people required support, this was provided in a gentle and encouraging way. The dining room was to be enhanced so that a pleasant area for people to eat was available.
People said the home was kept clean and were aware some redecoration had taken place. New garden furniture had been purchased. This area needed weeding and tidying, in order to provide a pleasant area for people to enjoy in the nicer weather.