Archived: Middlegate Lodge

Updated 27 November 2018

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, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

This comprehensive inspection took place on 7 November 2018 and was unannounced.

The inspection team consisted of one inspector. Prior to this inspection, we reviewed information that we held about the service such as notifications. These are events that happen in the service that the provider is required to tell us about. We also considered the last inspection report and information that had been sent to us by other agencies such as commissioners who had a contract with the service. In addition, we looked at the information in the Provider Information Return (PIR). This is a form that asks the provider to give some key information about the home and the services provided, what the home does well and improvements they plan to make.

During the inspection, we spoke with three people who used the service for their views about the service they received. We spoke with the registered manager, one of the deputy managers and three of the care staff team. We also spent time observing how people and staff interacted and how care plans were being implemented.

In addition, we looked at specific parts of the care records of three people who used the service. We also looked at the management of medicines and information provided by the registered manager about how they ran the service.

Updated 27 November 2018

We inspected the service on 7 November 2018. The inspection was unannounced. Middlegate 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 six people living with mental health needs, a learning disability or have misused drugs and or alcohol.

On the day of our inspection five people were living at the service.

The service had been developed and designed 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. However, people were given choices and their independence and participation within the local community encouraged.

At our last inspection on 8 March 2016 we rated the service ‘good.’ At this inspection we found the evidence continued to support the rating of ‘good’ There was no evidence or information from our inspection and ongoing monitoring that demonstrated serious risks or concerns. This inspection report is written in a shorter format because our overall rating of the service has not changed since our last inspection.

People continued to receive a safe service. They were protected from avoidable harm, discrimination and abuse. Risks associated with people’s needs including the environment, had been assessed and planned for and these were monitored for any changes. People did not have any undue restrictions placed upon them.

People continued to receive an effective service. Staff received the training and support they required to meet people’s individual needs, including meeting their nutritional needs. Staff worked well with external health care professionals and people were supported to access health services when required. People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible. The policies and systems in the home supported this practice. The principles of the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) were followed.

People continued to receive care from staff who were kind, compassionate and treated them with dignity and respected their privacy. Staff had developed positive relationships with the people they supported, they understood people’s needs, preferences, and what was important to them. Staff knew how to comfort people when they were distressed and made sure that emotional support was provided. People’s independence was promoted.

People continued to receive a responsive service. People were involved with assessing and planning for their care needs and regularly reviewing their progress. They were supported to pursue their interests and hobbies, and social activities were offered. There was a complaints procedure in place and people knew how to use the procedures when required.

The service continued to be well led. There was an open and transparent and person-centred culture within the service. People were encouraged to give their views on how the service was run and there were systems in place to monitor and improve the quality of the service provided.