The Lodge

Updated 27 July 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 care homes with outbreaks of COVID-19, we are conducting reviews to ensure that the Infection Prevention and Control practice was safe and the service was compliant with IPC measures. This was a targeted inspection looking at the IPC practices the provider has in place.

This inspection took place on 29 June 2021 and was announced.

Updated 27 July 2021

This unannounced inspection took place on 18 December 2018.

The Lodge is a care home for up to 7 adults with a learning disability and who can, at times, display behaviour that challenge others. At the time of this inspection, there were 7 people living at the home. 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 Lodge consists of one building with two floors; one floor for three men and the other for four women. Bathroom and toilet facilities on each floor are shared.

We previously inspected the service on 11 and 18 October 2017 and we found one breach in regulation in relation to staff not receiving regular supervision and appraisals. At this inspection, we found improvements had been made and the provider was no longer in breach of any regulations.

At the time of this inspection the service was being managed by the deputy manager, who was not registered with CQC to manage the service. The previous registered manager had not been managing the service since August 2018, however we saw evidence that appropriate management arrangements had been put in place to manage the service since and satisfactory steps had been taken to select a manager. We spoke with the locality manager about the future management arrangements; they told us a person had been appointed to manage the service and they will be applying to become the registered manager. It is a legal requirement that the service has a registered manager in post. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) 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.

People told us they were safe living at The Lodge. Where risks to people's health and wellbeing had been identified, the risk assessments and guidance around these were detailed and contained sufficient information for staff to support people to minimise risk. Staff we spoke with told us how they supported people to reduce risks and prevent them from avoidable harm.

People’s medicines were managed safely and people were supported to take their medicines as prescribed however some improvements were required to the level of detail of some information recorded. We recommend the service always makes sure that records evidence the care provided.

There were sufficient staffing levels to meet people’s needs and provide a flexible service.

The provider had systems in place to manage, record and learn from incidents and accidents. These was regularly analysed, discussed during staff meetings and when required, changes were made to reduce the likelihood of future incidents occurring.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible.

People’s needs in relation to the protected characteristics under the Equalities Act 2010, were taken into account in the planning of their care. People's communication needs were assessed and staff adapted their communication methods to better meet people’s needs, for example using simple questions or pictures.

People were supported to prepare and eat a balanced diet that met their individual dietary needs. They were supported to access healthcare services in order to maintain their health.

Staff were supported through a comprehensive induction, regular supervision and annual appraisals. People were supported by staff who had attended regular and relevant training.

Staff had a good understanding of infection control procedures and used personal protective clothing when required to prevent the spread of infection.

People and their relatives told us staff were kind and caring and their privacy and dignity were respected by staff.

People were provided with personalised care and support. People engaged in a variety of activities of their interest and that promoted their health and independence.

The provider had systems to monitor the quality of care people received at The Lodge. Quality assurance checks and audits were completed regularly and identified actions required to improve the service. People, relatives and staff spoke positively about the leadership offered by management.