Background to this inspection
Updated
21 August 2021
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 Care Act 2014.
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
This inspection was carried out by one inspector.
Service and service type
Marple Lodge is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.
The service did not have a registered manager. This means that the provider was legally responsible for how the service is run and for the quality and safety of the care provided.
Notice of inspection
This inspection was unannounced.
What we did before the inspection
The provider was not asked to complete a provider information return prior to this inspection. This is information we require providers to send us to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We took this into account when we inspected the service and made the judgements in this report. We asked the local authority for information about the service. We gathered information that the local authority and Healthwatch held about the service. Healthwatch is an independent consumer champion that gathers and represents the views of the public about health and social care services in England. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.
During the inspection
We spoke to six people who used the service and received feedback from four relatives. We spoke with eight staff members including the provider, the assistant manager, care staff and the chef. We also spoke with the nominated individual. The nominated individual is responsible for supervising the management of the service on behalf of the provider. We reviewed a range of records including care records. We looked at medicines and records about medicines for nine people. We spoke with a senior carer who was administering medicines on the day of the inspection. We looked at three staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervisions. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including health and safety records were also reviewed.
After the inspection
We spoke with a health and social care professional for their views of the service.
Updated
21 August 2021
About the service
Marple Lodge is a residential care home providing personal and nursing care to 17 people aged 65 and over at the time of the inspection. The service can support up to 19 people.
Accommodation is provided across two floors which can be accessed via a stair-well and passenger lift. There are communal bathrooms, toilets and kitchen facilities as well as social, dining and garden areas that people can access.
People's experience of using this service and what we found
Staff were aware of their responsibilities in safeguarding people from abuse. Risks were well managed. Care records gave clear guidance to staff on what needed to happen to keep people safe, whilst respecting peoples choices. Staff had received training to guide them on managing risks. Health and safety checks in the home had been carried out. There was a programme of regular maintenance to the building and servicing of equipment. Medicines were managed safely. Safe systems for recruitment were in place.
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. People's needs were assessed, and care was delivered in line with their preferences and choices. Staff received support, induction and training to ensure they had the skills to carry out their role.
People told us they were happy living at the home and were treated with respect. Staff knew people well and spoke about people in respectful and caring ways.
People were supported to access activities and people's spiritual wellbeing was promoted. The provider was thoughtful and compassionate about how they supported people receiving end of life care and worked in partnership with other professionals to ensure comfortable and considerate care was provided.
Staff were complimentary about the support they received from the assistant manager and the wider management team. The registered provider and assistant manager were committed to ensure continuous improvements were made at the service. The provider was passionate about further increasing the range of activities available and the home’s presence in the local community.
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 25 July 2018).
Why we inspected
We undertook this inspection as part of a random selection of services rated good and outstanding to test the reliability of our new monitoring approach.
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 until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.