Heath Lodge

Updated 10 March 2021

The inspection

This was a targeted inspection to check whether the provider had met the requirements of the specific concerns we had about nutrition and infection control. We will assess all of the key question at the next comprehensive inspection of the service.

Inspection team

This inspection was undertaken by one inspector.

Service and service type

Heath Lodge is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as a 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 had a manager registered with the Care Quality Commission. This means that they and the provider are legally responsible for how the service is run and for the quality and safety of the care provided.

Notice of inspection

This inspection was unannounced.

What we did before inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We sought feedback from the local authority and professionals who work with the service. We did not use the information the provider sent us in the provider information return. This is information providers are required to send us with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. This information helps support our inspections. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection we spoke with the registered manager and two senior managers. We toured the building and observed staff supporting people with their eating and drinking.

After the inspection –

We continued to seek clarification from the registered manager to validate evidence found. We reviewed three people's care records and spoke with two people’s relatives. We also spoke with two members of staff. We also spoke with the local authority commissioning team.

Updated 10 March 2021

This inspection was carried out on 13 June 2018 and was unannounced. At our previous inspection on 23 August 2017 we rated the service as requires improvement. This was because people were not protected from harm, staffing levels were not monitored effectively, staff did not receive sufficient training and people’s nutritional needs were not met. We found the provider had made improvements in a number of these areas, but continued to require further improvement in relation to activity provision and monitoring the quality of care people receive.

Heath 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.

Heath Lodge provides accommodation for up to 67 people. Some people live with dementia, old age and physical disability. The home is not currently registered to provide nursing care. At the time of the inspection there were 37 people living there.

The service had a manager who had applied to register with the Care Quality Commission (CQC). A registered manager is a person who has registered with the CQC 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 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

The service was run by a management team that knew people well. People, relatives and staff were positive about the management of the service. Staff felt supported by the management team and able to voice their opinions about the running of the home. There were quality assurance systems in place which did not always identify shortfalls or when they did identify areas for improvement did not always ensure appropriate remedial action was taken.

People felt safe and were supported by sufficient staff who had undergone a thorough recruitment process. Risks to people’s safety and welfare were generally identified and responded to appropriately. Equipment to support people’s independence or skin integrity was sought. Medicines were managed safely and risks were identified with management plans in place to mitigate these risks. The management team shared learning from any events such as medicine errors, safeguarding investigations or complaints.

Staff were provided with appropriate training and felt supported by the manager. People were supported in accordance with the principles of the Mental Capacity Act. People were supported by staff who were trained and had opportunities for supervision. People were encouraged to eat a healthy and balanced diet and there was appropriate access to health and social care professionals. We found the design of the building promoted a friendly and welcoming environment although was continuing to undergo extensive improvement.

People’s care needs were met and responded to promptly by staff who were aware of their individual needs and preferences. People told us care was provided to them in a manner they preferred. Care records contained sufficient information that allowed for effective review of people’s wellbeing. There was a need for further development in relation to activities. People’s feedback was sought.