Acorn Lodge Care Home

Updated 19 March 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 coronavirus 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 09 March 2021 and was announced.

Updated 19 March 2021

The inspection took place on 19 and 22 February 2018 and was unannounced. We last inspected Acorn Lodge in June 2017, we found significant shortfalls and the service was rated inadequate.

We reported that the registered provider was in breach of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014. These were:

Regulation 9 Regulated Activities Regulations 2014 - Person centred care

Regulation 12 Regulated Activities Regulations 2014 - Safe care and treatment

Regulation 17 Regulated Activities Regulations 2014 - Good governance

Regulation 18 Regulated Activities Regulations 2014 - Staffing

Regulation 19 Regulated Activities Regulations 2014 – Fit and proper persons

Regulation 18 Registration Regulations 2009 – Notification of other incidents

Regulation 19 Registration Regulations 2009 Fees

Regulation 7 HSCA RA Regulations 2014-Requirements relating to registered managers

Following the last inspection the service was placed in special measures. Services that are in special measures are kept under review and inspected again within six months. We expect services to make significant improvements within this timeframe. We received an action plan from the provider. During this inspection, the service demonstrated to us that significant improvements have been made and is no longer rated as inadequate overall or in any of the key questions. The service is no longer in special measures.

Acorn Lodge is a ‘care 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 service accommodates up to 15 people who have a learning disability in one adapted building. At the time of our inspection there were eight people using the service.

The care service has been developed in line with the values that underpin the Registering the right Support and other best practice guidance. These values include choice, promotion of independence and inclusion. People with learning disabilities and autism using the service can live as ordinary a life as any citizen.

A registered manager was in place. 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. The registered manager was also the provider.

At our last inspection, there was a failure to ensure service users were protected from the risks associated with improper operation of the premises including inadequate fire safety systems and processes. A visit was made by the fire service and the fire safety systems were now adequate.

Since our last inspection, the registered manager and deputy manager had made many improvements.

The registered manager had reviewed and updated risk assessments and care plans to ensure staff were aware of how to support people to remain safe and to be as independent as possible. Staff had received training in safeguarding and they told us they were encouraged to report any concerns about the safety or the quality of the service people received. There was now enough staff to keep people safe. Staff were visible throughout the day and they responded to people’s needs in a timely way. Improvements had been made to the checks carried out on new staff to ensure recruitment was robust and safe. People were given support to take their medicines as prescribed. Audits were carried out by senior staff to ensure medicines were managed safely. Staff were observed following good infection control practices to help reduce the spread of infection.

Staff had access to relevant training and regular supervision to equip them with the knowledge and skills to care and support people effectively. Nutritional needs were met and people were supported to access healthcare services if they needed them. People's health needs were closely monitored and any changes to their needs were immediately reflected in their care plans and the care that they received. People are supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff support them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service support this practice.

Staff were kind and caring and treated people with dignity and respect. People were relaxed and comfortable in the company of staff. Staff knew people well including their preferred method of communication.

Staff supported people to follow their own hobbies, activities and interests. Care plans were detailed and staff regularly reviewed them with the person and family members. Staff worked with and took advice from health care professionals. There were systems in place to support people if they wished to complain or raise concerns about the service.

The registered manager had received support and advice from the local authority and external consultants to review all areas of service provision. This meant effective management systems were now in place from lessons learnt.