Stockmoor Lodge

Updated 18 February 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 the COVID-19 pandemic we are looking at how services manage infection control and visiting arrangements. This was a targeted inspection looking at the infection prevention and control measures the provider had 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 30 January 2022 and was unannounced.

Updated 18 February 2022

We found the following examples of good practice.

The service had a comprehensive risk assessment in place and had developed plans to reduce risks. Staff understood the measures in place and had received suitable training. Contingency plans were in place to manage any infections or outbreaks.

People were not admitted to the service unless they tested negative for Covid-19; there were procedures in place to isolate new admissions for a further two weeks to ensure they were free of the virus.

The service was separated into six units, each unit could be isolated using a zoning system. Wherever possible staff worked on one specific unit. During a suspected outbreak, where three people were asymptomatic, only specific staff worked on those units and did not work on other units.

The registered manager facilitated regular testing was for both staff and people living at the service. Senior members of staff at the service carried out regular hand washing audits and checked staff were following the correct infection control procedures. Staff we spoke with were confident and knowledgeable about how to protect people from the risk of infection.

There were effective systems in place to support visits. The registered manager had introduced a one-way system to access specific areas. All visitors to the service were required to sign in, have their temperatures taken and wash their hands. Visitors were provided with personal protective equipment (PPE) and their movements around the service restricted to a minimum. People were supported to safely visit loved ones in their bedrooms as they approached the end of their lives.

During the summer people had been able to experience performances by musicians and entertainers. They had been able to sit on the balcony whilst the performances took place on the other side of the fence.

Further information is in the detailed findings below.