6 February 2023
During an inspection looking at part of the service
Chestnut Lodge Nursing Home is a residential care home providing personal and nursing care to up to 17 people. At the time of our inspection there were 13 people using the service.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
The home did not ensure appropriate checks were conducted prior to agency staff being deployed to support people. Choking risks had not been managed safely. Introduction of thickener had not always involved the advice from the Speech & Language Therapy Team (SALT) this placed people at risk of harm. Fire drills had not been conducted in line with the provider’s policy. The issues identified during the inspection had not been recognised or identified by the provider or registered manager. This meant the provider’s quality assurances were ineffective.
Permanent staff were recruited safely. Staffing levels were calculated using a dependency tool which looked at the needs of each person. Staff received supervisions and had the opportunity to speak out.
The provider had a system to investigate and record safeguarding incidents. Staff had completed safeguarding training.
Information gathered accidents and incidents was analysed to identify trends or patterns with actions put in place to minimise risk of further incidents.
The home was clean and tidy. Staff had completed training in infection control and followed protocols to reduce the risk of infection.
People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.
The registered manager promoted an open culture. The provider and registered manager understood their duty of candour. The home had developed strong partnerships with health and social care professionals to ensure people received joined up care.
People told us they were happy living at the home. People told us staff were kind and caring and response to their needs.
People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at last inspection and update
The last rating for this service was good (published 20 February 2018).
Why we inspected
This inspection was prompted by a review of the information we held about this service.
We undertook a focused inspection to review the key questions of safe and well-led only. For those key questions not inspected, we used the ratings awarded at the last inspection to calculate the overall rating. The overall rating for the service has changed to requires improvement. This is based on the findings at this inspection.
You can read the report from our last comprehensive inspection, by selecting the ‘all reports’ link for Chestnut Lodge Nursing Home our website at www.cqc.org.uk.
Enforcement and Recommendations
We have identified breaches in relation to safe care and treatment, and the assessing and monitoring of the quality and safety of the home.
Please see the action we have told the provider to take at the end of this report.