Last updated: 10 February 2026
"A proactive positive culture and settled management team, but poor staff training and lack of skilled staff for specialist tasks like catheter care hold it back."
Medicines optimisation score 2: powder to thicken drinks... use was not always recorded accurately; patches... staff had not always followed the manufacturer’s instructions.
Windmill Lodge had a proactive and positive culture of safety, based on openness and honesty. The management team listened to concerns about safety.
Feedback from staff was mixed as to whether there were enough skilled staff... people who required vena puncture and catheter care were not supported by suitable trained staff on each shift.
continued breach of regulation in relation to staff training... management team acknowledged they were behind with staff supervisions and appraisals.
settled management team in place, and areas identified for improvement were being addressed, but ineffective governance systems failed to identify shortfalls like staff training.
A range of activities were available in the ‘day centre’ next door to the home. We observed... people enjoying ‘exercise to music’.
Staff lack training for specialist nursing tasks like catheter care and blood draws, and manager check-ins are behind schedule.
We do not have sufficient trained staff to carry out these clinical tasks... behind with staff supervisions and appraisals
Not enough skilled staff available every shift for clinical procedures like putting in catheters or taking blood.
people who required vena puncture and catheter care (specialist nursing skills) were not supported by suitable trained staff on each shift.
Problems recording medications correctly, such as thickeners for drinks and rotating patch locations.
powder to thicken drinks to prevent choking... its use was not always recorded accurately... staff had not always followed the manufacturer’s instructions on rotating the location of the patch.
AI Generated
Last inspected: September 2025
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