Derwent Lodge

Updated 10 May 2023

The inspection

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (the Act) as part of our regulatory functions. We checked whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act. We looked at the overall quality of the service and provided a rating for the service under the Health and Social Care Act 2008.

As part of this inspection we looked at the infection control and prevention measures in place. This was conducted so we can understand the preparedness of the service in preventing or managing an infection outbreak, and to identify good practice we can share with other services.

Inspection team

The inspection was completed by 1 inspector.

Service and service type

Derwent Lodge is a 'care home'. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing and/or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement dependent on their registration with us. Derwent Lodge is a care home with nursing care. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

Registered Manager

This service is required to have a registered manager. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. This means that they and the provider are legally responsible for how the service is run and for the quality and safety of the care provided. At the time of our inspection there was a registered manager in post.

Notice of inspection

This inspection was unannounced.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return (PIR). This is information providers are required to send us annually with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. We used all this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We used the Short Observational Framework for Inspection (SOFI). SOFI is a way of observing care to help us understand the experience of people who could not talk with us.

We spoke with people, relatives and staff and gathered information relating to the management of the service. We reviewed a range of records. This included 4 care plans. We spoke with 4 people living at the service. We also spoke with 6 members of staff, including the nominated individual, the registered manager, a registered nurse, the chef, care staff and ancillary staff. We spoke with 3 relatives over the telephone.

Updated 10 May 2023

About the service

Derwent Lodge is a 'care home'. It is registered to provide care and accommodation, including nursing care, for up to 42 people and there were 33 people living at the home when we inspected. The service was providing care for a wide range of care needs such as for older persons, and those living with dementia.

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

People were happy with the care they received, felt relaxed with staff and told us they were treated with kindness. They said they felt safe, were well supported and there were enough staff to care for them. One person told us, “I’m not worried, I’m doing alright.” Our own observations supported this, and we saw friendly relationships had developed between people and staff. A relative told us, “My [relative] has been there 6 years. I know all the staff there and can speak to any of them. They are always very welcoming and friendly and always very happy, they are very good. They know my [relative] very well.”

People told us staff were kind and they had a good relationship with them. People received medicines safely. The service was clean, hygienic and a pleasant environment to spend time in. People’s care plans were up to date and accurately reflected their needs. People were able to receive visits from their relatives and there was a programme of activities to support their well-being.

Staff worked collaboratively with outside agencies such as the local authority and healthcare professionals. Complaints were handled appropriately, and people enjoyed the food and drinks on offer. People were protected from harm and abuse, as staff knew how to safeguard people and what procedures they should follow.

Staff had received relevant training to meet people’s needs, and people’s wishes at the end of their life were respected. People were able to express their views and had their dignity, independence and privacy promoted.

The provider had systems of quality assurance to measure and monitor the standard of the service and drive improvement. These systems also supported people to stay safe by assessing and mitigating risks, ensuring people were cared for in a person-centred way and that the provider learned from any mistakes. Our own observations and the feedback we received supported this.

People received good care that met their needs and improved their wellbeing. The staff team were dedicated and enthusiastic.

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

This service was registered with us on 17 December 2021 and this is the first inspection.

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection based on when the service first registered with us.

We looked at infection prevention and control measures under the Safe key question. We look at this in all care home inspections even if no concerns or risks have been identified. This is to provide assurance that the service can respond to COVID-19 and other infection outbreaks effectively.

Follow up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.