York Lodge

Updated 30 April 2021

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008.

As part of CQC’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic we are looking at the preparedness of care homes in relation to infection prevention and control. This was a targeted inspection looking at the infection control and prevention measures the provider has in place.

This inspection took place on 30 March 2021 and was announced

Updated 30 April 2021

About the service

York Lodge is a residential care home providing care and support for 22 people living with a range of mental health needs such as Korsakoff Syndrome, schizophrenia, depression, personality disorder and bi-polar disorder. The service can support up to 24 people. Accommodation is provided over three floors, including communal areas comprise a large lounge and dining area, a ‘quiet lounge’ on the top floor and six bathrooms.

People’s experience of using this service and what we found

People felt safe at the home. A person told us, “’I have been to lots places. This is the best home. It is my home now.’’ People lived independent lives at the home and staff supported people to take positive risks, such as going shopping in the town. People were protected from the risk of abuse by well trained staff who saw the safety of people as a priority. Staff were recruited safely, and some staff had worked at the home for several years, due to this they got to know people well. Staff assisted people to wash and to keep their rooms and their clothes clean.

People’s needs were assessed when they entered the home and frequently during their stay. People could personalise their rooms and were able to have personal items such as televisions, kettles and computers. Staff encouraged people to follow a healthy diet and the service provided home cooked meals if people wanted them. A person told us, “Staff respect us, and the food is lovely. When I had my hip surgery I had my meals in my room. My favourite meal is roasted beef on Sunday. I can ask something to be cooked for me if don’t like the choices.”

Staff were caring, and we saw people and staff interacting positively during the inspection. People were happy to talk to us and tell us about the care at the home. We saw people enjoying beauty treatments in the dining room after lunch. A staff member told us, “We have time to do people’s nails, to take people out for coffee, there is time to do your job.”

People were supported to be independent, and to maintain relationships with friends and family outside the home. A person told us, “Sometimes I go out with my daughter. I like drinking shandy. My daughter is getting married and the assistant manager is taking me to the reception.”

The home was well led by senior staff and a close team of support staff who were proud to work at the service. Staff were keen to tell us they worked in the people’s home and they were there to support people to live their lives as they chose. People were actively involved in planning events in the home and felt their voices were heard. People were able to access outside healthcare whenever they needed it, and staff were always available to accompany them to appointments.

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

The last rating for this service was good (published 10 January 2017).

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.

Follow up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.