Lakeside Residential Care Home

Updated 6 March 2025

The assessment began on 22 May 2025 and concluded on the 26 June 2025. Lakeside Residential Care Home provides accommodation and support for up to 38 people. At the time of our assessment there were 31 people living at the home.

The assessment was prompted in part due to information of concern received in relation to the safe care and treatment of people and the management of the service. This assessment examined those concerns. We looked at all 34 quality statements across the 5 key questions.

The manager had been in post since June 2024 and registered with CQC in March 2025. However, following our visit to the home, we were told a further management change was to be made. Management audits and checks had not been fully implemented and embedded to help identify and drive improvement. During our assessment we were told there had been some turnover in staff and morale was low. Some staff spoken with did not feel supported and thought communication could be improved.

A review of training, development and support of staff showed meaningful opportunities for staff to discuss their work were not routinely provided. Staff meetings were inconsistent and did not evidence discussion with staff. Whilst there was a programme of training in place, completion was low. Recruitment processes had been improved.

The registered manager told us staffing levels were determined using a dependency tool. It was unclear how staffing levels had been calculated as the dependency tool did not consider peoples individual needs or their social and emotional well-being. Our observations of staff showed care was task focused and at times staff were not visible in communal areas. Following our visit, we received further information raising similar concerns to our findings.

Further work was required to ensure environmental and personal risks to people were effectively monitored and managed. Accurate records were not maintained in relation to people’s care and support and the management and administration of people’s prescribed medicines.

The home was clean and tidy. Relevant servicing and checks of the home and equipment had been completed, and some redecoration of rooms had been carried out to enhance the accommodation provided.

Updated 6 March 2025

We spoke with 10 people and 6 relatives about their experiences.

We saw interactions between people and staff were warm and friendly. Whilst people felt staff were caring they did not always feel there were enough staff on duty and staff were always busy. People and their relatives told us, “The staff are very nice. They understand [person] needs. They are stretched though. Whatever shortcomings there are, are through a lack of staff” and “There are not a lot of staff, they are definitely short staffed.” From our observations support focused on care tasks with little time for social interactions.

People and their relatives felt the accommodation was comfortable and kept clean. People had personalised their rooms with belongings from home.

There was no designated activity staff providing activities and opportunities for people helping to reduce social isolation. People we spoke with said there was not a lot to do. One person commented, “There aren’t really many activities. We sit watching TV a lot."

From our observations people were appropriately dressed and their hair and nails clean. One person told us, “There are two hairdressers who come in, so I regularly get my hair done." Staff worked closely with relevant agencies in meeting people’s healthcare needs.

Staff knocked on doors before entering people’s rooms and asked permission before providing care. Where people required the use of equipment, staff explained what they were doing, offering reassurance whilst assisting people.