Background to this inspection
Updated
22 September 2020
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.
This was a targeted inspection looking at the infection control and prevention measures the provider has in place. As part of Care Quality Commission’s (CQC) response to the coronavirus pandemic we are conducting a thematic review of infection control and prevention measures in care homes.
This inspection took place on 27 August 2020 and was announced. The service was selected to take part in this thematic review which is seeking to identify examples of good practice in infection prevention and control.
Updated
22 September 2020
Northview Lodge Nursing Home is a two storey purpose built nursing home in Sunderland caring for younger adults with dementia type illnesses, younger adults with acquired brain injury and people with enduring mental health needs in two self-contained units called Rose and Oak. On the day of our inspection there were 42 people using the service.
The inspection took place on 6 March 2018 and was unannounced. This meant staff did not know we were visiting.
We last inspected Northview Lodge Nursing Home on 19 January 2016 and rated the service as Good. At this inspection we found the service had improved to Outstanding.
The service had a registered manager who was on duty during the course of our visit. 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 had recently achieved a quality director post for the provider and would be leaving their role at Northview Lodge Nursing Home. However a new manager had been appointed and was working a transitional handover and would be registering with the Care Quality Commission in the near future.
People received outstanding care. People who used the service and relatives described staff as very caring, kind and compassionate who wanted the very best for the people they supported.
People were involved in their care and support and staff respected their privacy and dignity. The staff team also worked to ensure people’s important relationships were maintained and families were supported and welcomed at the service even when their family members were no longer there.
Independence was promoted by staff, who clearly understood the principles of promoting people as valued community members. Staff had an excellent understanding of people's diverse needs, preferences, routines and personal histories.
People had exceptional access to advocacy support and independent advocacy services told us they were welcomed by the home.
People were fully involved in their care and support and lead active and fulfilling lives. The service was highly responsive and supported people to achieve their hopes, dreams and aspirations.
People were supported to be active citizens of their community. With the right approach and support, some people had developed their confidence and skills that enabled them to gain qualifications.
People had been supported to experience holidays and staff had been creative and used innovative approaches in supporting people to pursue their interests, hobbies and personal goals. This had led to people’s improving their relationships with family and friends.
People's care plans focussed on their individual needs, creating a person centred approach in the delivery of care and support.
People told us they knew how to make a complaint. They felt enabled to raise any concern and feel confident it would be addressed.
The registered manager was experienced, dedicated and passionate about providing everyone both people and staff, with the right support that enabled them to grow and develop.
The service had recently achieved an award for the use of innovative technology and several individual staff had been awarded external regional and national prizes in their field.
The registered manager had developed an open and inclusive service, they had a clear vision and set of values based on social inclusion that the staff fully understood and adhered to. Staff felt listened to, supported and involved in the development of the service. People who used the service and relatives received opportunities to share their views, experience of the service and were involved in developing the service further.
Governance was well embedded in the service. Processes were in place that continuously assessed and monitored the quality of the service and that included audits carried out by people using the service.
People remained safe because staff had received appropriate training and the provider had systems and processes in place to support people from avoidable harm.
People received support from a team of staff that provided consistency and continuity. Safe staff recruitment checks were carried out before staff commenced employment.
People received appropriate support with the administration, storage and management of their prescribed medicines. People and staff were aware of the importance of infection control measures and had received appropriate training.
People were supported by staff that had received an appropriate induction and ongoing support and training.
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 service supported this practice
Staff were aware of people's nutritional needs and promoted healthy eating. Systems were in place to share information with external services and professionals when required. People received appropriate support to maintain their health and achieve good health outcomes.