Fitzwilliam Lodge

Updated 4 March 2022

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 (IPC) practice is safe and that services are compliant with IPC measures. This was a targeted inspection looking at the IPC practices the provider has in place. We also asked the provider about any staffing pressures the service was experiencing and whether this was having an impact on the service.

This inspection took place on 2 February 2022 and was announced. We gave the service 2 hours’ notice of the inspection.

Updated 4 March 2022

Fitzwilliam Lodge is a ‘care home.’ People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as single package under one contractual agreement. The Care Quality Commission regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection. The home offers accommodation for up to 16 people in single rooms or flats. Support provided includes mental health and the needs of older people. Fitzwilliam Lodge is situated close to local transport, shops and other community facilities. There were 15 people living at the home at the time of our inspection.

This inspection took place on 5 December 2018 and was unannounced. This meant no-one at the service knew we were planning to visit. At our last inspection we rated the service ‘Good’. At this inspection we found the evidence continued to support the rating of ‘Good’ and 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.

There was a registered manager in post. 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.

Effective recruitment procedures helped to make sure staff had the required skills and were of suitable character and background. There were enough staff available to meet the needs of people living at the home at the time of our inspection.

Staff understood what it meant to protect people from abuse. They were confident any concerns they raised would be taken seriously by the management team.

Care and support was planned and delivered in a way that ensured people were safe. People had been involved in planning their care. Support plans clearly outlined peoples’ needs and any risks associated with their care, as well as their abilities and preferences.

Medicines were stored, administered and disposed of safely.

An effective induction, plus a varied and ongoing training programme ensured staff had the right skills and knowledge for their role. Staff were supported in their jobs through regular supervisions and an annual appraisal.

People were supported to maintain good health and have access to health and social care services. They were also supported to maintain a balanced diet that met their individual needs and choices.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible. The provider’s policies and systems supported this practice.

People were supported by caring and compassionate staff who respected their privacy, dignity, preferences and independence.

There was a range of social activities and events available for people to take part in, if they wished to.

The service had an open and positive culture that encouraged involvement of people using the service, their families and staff. Leadership was visible and promoted teamwork. People were encouraged to raise concerns or complaints and were asked for feedback about the service they received

The service understood their legal responsibilities for reporting and sharing information with other services.

Further information is in the detailed findings below.