- Care home
The Evergreens Lodge
Assessment report published 23 February 2026
Contents
Ratings
Our view of the service
The Evergreens Lodge provides accommodation and personal care (No nursing) to up to 39 people who were over 65 years of age and may be living with dementia or physical disabilities.
At the time of the assessment the service supported 33 people.
This assessment was prompted by concerns raised with us about the safety of the service.
During the assessmentwe assessed the quality statements under the key questions of safe, caring, responsive and well led.
The provider was previously in breach of the legal regulation in relation to the way people’s medicines were managed safely. Improvements were found at this assessment in relation to medicines stock amounts and medicines administration records. However, we found concerns around recording where topical creams had been applied and the monitoring of temperatures where prescribed creams were stored. The registered manager actioned any shortfalls immediately, audits were not effective and the quality systems in place failed to identify the issues found during the assessment.
We identified several areas of the service that had not been properly maintained to ensure people received care in a safe environment. For example, concerns about infection prevention and control (IPC), trip hazards and standards of cleanliness. Whilst the registered manager actioned any shortfalls immediately, the service did not have effective systems and processes to identify these issues and resolve them as they occurred. This meant the provider could not be assured about the quality and safety of all aspects of the service. This remained an issue and was identified at the last inspection in February 2024.
The systems in place did not identify all required training for all staff.
The provider remained in breach of the legal regulation relating to safe care and treatment and was in breach of the legal regulation related to governance at the service. The provider was responsive to the shortfalls we found and took action to review governance and oversight arrangements. We have asked the provider for an action plan in response to the concerns found at this assessment.
Risks to people were assessed, reviewed and managed to ensure they remained safe. Care plans were detailed, however they did not always provide sufficient guidance to staff. For example, where exactly on the body prescribed creams should be applied to maintain safe skin health.
Staff and the management team demonstrated compassion and kindness to people and their relatives, as well as to each other.
People were supported by regular staff who knew them well and were supported to have choice and control and were involved in planning their care.
Recruitment processes were followed correctly.
We received mixed feedback from staff regarding their welfare. For example, when we asked staff if they felt valued, everyone said they were by the management team on site, but felt “Beyond that, no.”
Shortly after our site visit to The Evergreens Lodge, we received several concerns from staff regarding the way the service was being led. The provider responded to feedback we gave and stated they would be overseeing the home directly on a daily basis, to ensure continuity of care, safety, and operational standards. However, we have not been able to assess the effectiveness and sustainability of these plans.
People's experience of this service
While people expressed general satisfaction with their care and treatment, our inspection found some aspects did not meet the expected standards.
People told us they felt safe in the environment, however it wasn’t always as clean as they would expect. They told us they, or their loved one felt safe and that staff knew people well. A relative told us, “It is incredibly important to me as my father is treated with kindness and considerable compassion” and, “They respect his wishes and know his mannerisms and preferences well.”
Relatives spoke positively about their involvement with their loved one’s care and treatment and stated everyone was treated fairly with dignity and respect. From discussion with relatives, staff and healthcare professionals, they were confident the registered manager would deal with any issues or concerns sufficiently.
Staff at The Evergreens Lodge were described as, ‘fun, friendly, professional, compassionate, respectful and courteous.’
A healthcare professional told us, “The staff seem to know all their residents very well and are quick to respond to any signs of deterioration or change in behaviors.”