This inspection took place on 24 and 26 April 2018 and was unannounced. At the last inspection on 15 February 2017 the service was rated Requires Improvement. Following the last inspection, we asked the provider to send us an action plan to show what they would do to improve the key questions Safe, Responsive and Well-led.
Jennifer’s Lodge is a residential care home for older people with mental health needs and dementia. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection. The care home accommodates six people in one adapted building. At the time of the inspection there were six people living at the home.
The premises is laid out over three floors. Communal areas included a lounge, dining room, kitchen and a separate laundry area. There are shared communal bathrooms that are suitably adapted. At the rear of the home is a large garden that is accessible through patio doors.
The service had a registered manager who was available on both days of the inspection. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.
Although the systems were in place to safeguard people from abuse and the correct action taken, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) had not been notified of an allegation of abuse when this had occurred. Sufficient guidance was in place about the actions staff needed to take to make sure risks were safely managed.
A routine fire safety inspection had been carried out in the service and the provider agreed to send us a plan of action. Health and safety checks had been carried out on the premises.
People received their medicines when this was needed and staff had received training on the safe management of medicines.
There were enough staff deployed to work in the service who had been suitably recruited. Training was available for staff to ensure they had the skills and knowledge to provide effective care for people. Staff had received regular supervision and appraisals.
People gave us positive feedback about the quality of the food. They were provided with sufficient food and drink; however, menus were not displayed during mealtimes so people could choose what foods they would like to eat. Information was not available in an easy read format so they could better understand the services they received.
Routine visits were carried out by health practitioners to offer advice and treatment for people to meet their medical needs.
People and their relatives told us staff were kind and caring and their privacy was respected. Advocacy services were accessible to ensure people had their views heard.
Systems were in place to monitor complaints and informal complaints that were raised had been resolved. The provider had discussions with people about end of life care and documented their advanced decisions in line with their wishes.
The CQC is required by law to monitor the operation of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) and the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) and to report on what we find. Although the service was meeting these requirements, they had not notified the CQC where a person's liberty was restricted in their best interests.
People were supported to maintain positive relationships with their relatives and friends. They were provided with opportunities to participate in a programme of activities. People’s cultural and spiritual needs were met and their care plans were personalised to meet their assessed needs.
People’s feedback was sought about the quality of care. Checks were carried out and audits undertaken to monitor how care was being delivered but some audits were not always consistently recorded. People spoke favourably about the management of the service. The provider worked with external stakeholders to deliver effective care for people to ensure their medicines outcomes were met.