Princes Lodge

Updated 21 July 2023

The inspection

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (the Act) as part of our regulatory functions. We checked whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act. We looked at the overall quality of the service and provided a rating for the service under the Health and Social Care Act 2008.

As part of this inspection we looked at the infection control and prevention measures in place. This was conducted so we can understand the preparedness of the service in preventing or managing an infection outbreak, and to identify good practice we can share with other services.

Inspection team

The inspection was carried out by 1 inspector.

Service and service type

Princes Lodge is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing and/or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement dependent on their registration with us. Princes Lodge is a care home without nursing care. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

Registered Manager

This provider is required to have a registered manager to oversee the delivery of regulated activities at this location. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Registered managers and providers are legally responsible for how the service is run, for the quality and safety of the care provided and compliance with regulations.

At the time of our inspection there was a registered manager in post. However, the registered manager was unavailable for this inspection and we were supported by 2 senior support workers.

Notice of inspection

This inspection was unannounced.

What we did before the 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 used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return (PIR). This is information providers are required to send us annually with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. We used all this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with 2 people who used the service about their experience of the care provided. We also spoke with 2 senior support workers who provided care to people. We spoke with 1 visiting health care professional.

We reviewed a range of records. This included 2 care plans and risk assessments, medicines management procedures and training data. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including audits and policies were also reviewed.

Updated 21 July 2023

About the service

Princes Lodge is a residential care home providing personal care and accommodation to up to 5 people. The service provides support to people with mental health needs. At the time of our inspection there were 4 people using the service.

People’s experience of using this service and what we found

People were safe. People’s risks were assessed, and staff followed guidance to ensure they were managed and reduced. The registered manager ensured there were always enough staff available to provide care and support. People’s medicines were administered safely by trained staff. The environment of the home was clean, and staff followed good practice around food hygiene and infection prevention and control.

People’s needs were assessed and information gathered during the assessments formed part of peoples care plan. Staff were supported to gain the appropriate skill and knowledge to support people effectively. Where required people received the required support to maintain a healthy and nutritious diet. People lived in a nicely decorated and well-maintained home. The service positively engaged with external health and social care services to support people to get well and gain greater independence. People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

Quality assurance processes were in place to monitor and drive improvement. The provider gathered feedback from people and acted upon it, and the staff team felt supported and able to contribute their views. The service consistently worked collaboratively with external organisations to meet people’s needs.

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk

Rating at last inspection - The last rating for this service was good (published 12 January 2018)

Why we inspected

This inspection was prompted by a review of the information we held about this service. We undertook a focused inspection. This report only covers our findings in relation to the Key Questions Good, Effective and Well-led.

For those key questions not inspected, we used the ratings awarded at the last inspection to calculate the overall rating

You can read the report from our last comprehensive inspection, by selecting the ‘all reports’ link for Princes Lodge on our website at www.cqc.org.uk.

Follow up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.