Shrub End Lodge 'requires improvement', says 2023 CQC report

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) published its findings this week after visiting Shrub End Lodge in July.

The care home, in Shrub End Road, Colchester, received a negative score overall after concerns were raised in all three areas of the inspection.

The inspector said the care home must improve its safety measures after discovering its Legionnaires risk assessment and electrical safety certificate were out of date.

Watchdog - Care Quality Commission (Image: Archant)

Assessing the care home’s effectiveness, the inspector said: “Staff had not always received all the training required suitable for their role.”

They added that a designated first aider wasn’t always on shift, though the inspector said: “We found no evidence people had come to harm.”

Staff were, however, praised for their safe handling of medicines with the inspector noting that “improvements had been made” since a prior visit.

Despite the concerns, the CQC said residents feel safe living at the service, with relatives agreeing it is “absolutely safe”.

Service users told the inspector they were happy with the staff, with one saying: “We all get on really well.”

Staff seemed happy too, with one colleague telling the inspector: “I love it here. It is not the hardest job, but every day is different. I love these guys.”

What does the care home say?

Care home boss Mohamad Gulabkhan told the Gazette he felt the report was “contradictory in parts”.

After receiving the report, he said: “We, like all businesses, have been impacted by the Covid pandemic and are now getting back to normal service.

“The main focus of Shrub End Lodge during that time, as always, is our service users and their welfare and mental state.

“The manager has already commenced implementing the required changes that were highlighted in the report from the inspection, including moving certain processes to a digital platform.

“Shrub End Lodge will always put our service users first and they remain the priority. We look forward to further inspections where the results of the changes made will be noted.”