This inspection was carried by one inspector over one day. During the inspection, the inspector worked to answer five key questions; is the service safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led? Below is a summary of what we found. The summary describes what we observed, the records we looked at and what people using the service, their relatives and the staff told us.
If you want to see the evidence that supports our summary please read the full report.
Is the service safe?
Yes, we judged the service was safe.
People told us they felt safe and secure. The people we spoke with were positive about the staff who worked with them. People told us staff were professional and supportive. For example, one person said 'the staff are very nice, they are very good.' The people we spoke with said they got on okay with others who lived in the home. Where there were differences staff assisted to resolve any problems.
The staff we spoke with said they had confidence in colleagues' practices. For example, we were told 'This is one of the better organised homes I have worked at. Nobody who lives here is rushed about. It is friendly here. It is a happy, working environment.'
The home had a well organised medication system. We found two medication errors, although these resulted in no harm to people. Otherwise the system was well managed, medication was stored securely, and records were accurate and up to date.
We saw the home was well decorated, clean and comfortable. Furnishings were well maintained, clean and comfortable. On the day of the inspection the home was clean and there were no unpleasant odours.
We inspected the staff rotas, which showed there weresufficient staff on duty throughout the day and night to meet people's needs.
Is the service effective?
Yes we judged the service was effective.
People all had an individual care plan, which set out their care needs. Care plans contained satisfactory information and were accessible to staff. People said staff met their needs and responded promptly when they needed assistance. People said they had access to doctors, community psychiatric nurses, psychiatrists, chiropodists and opticians. However some improvement was required in recording practices forsome professional appointments to ensure they were more accurately recorded. This would ensure it was easier to find out when some people last received treatment from, for example, a dentist or an optician.
Is the service caring?
Yes we judged the service was caring.
People who used the service said they were supported by professional and helpful staff. We were positive about the care practices we observed. Comments from people who lived at Pentree Lodge included 'Staff are very helpful' and 'I have only been here two weeks but I am very happy. Staff are good and very helpful. The food is good. I have no concerns.' A community psychiatric nurse told us 'it is brilliant, I have no concerns.'
From our observations of the care provided, our discussions with people and from the records we assessed; we judged that individual wishes and needs were taken into account and respected. It was clear some of the people who lived at the home could be deemed, by the multi-disciplinary team, as challenging to services. However the service worked constructively and professionally with everyone, and provided them with suitable support.
Is the service responsive?
Yes we judged the service was responsive.
The people we spoke with all said the staff treated them with respect and dignity. The care practice we observed was professional and supportive. For example a person who lived in the home told us 'the staff are okay'they are very helpful.'
People who used the service told us there were some activities organised by the staff. It was clear that although some people at the home were difficult to engage in activities, were disinterested and/or lacked motivation to participate in organised activities, the staff did what they could to engage with people. This may have just resulted in encouraging people to go out for a walk or visit the caf'. Where people clearly did not want to get involved this was respected.
There were suitable links with the community mental health team, and other medical professionals such as general practitioners although as stated, recording of some medical input could be improved. From reviewing other records we judged care plans contained suitable information to assist the staff who worked at the home. Records showed care plans were regularly reviewed and updated.
Is the service well-led?
Yes we judged the service was well led.
Staff, people who used the service and their relatives were all positive about the management of the home. People told us management would listen and were supportive.
The home had a system to check people were happy with the service. This included systems of survey and audit. There was a system to monitor accidents and incidents.People's personal care records, and other records kept in the home, were accurate and complete.