Archived: Victoria Lodge

Updated 10 September 2021

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 Care Act 2014.

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 undertaken by one inspector.

Service and service type

Victoria 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.

Notice of inspection

We gave the service 24 hours’ notice of the inspection. This was because the service is small and people are often out and we wanted to be sure there would be people at home to speak with us.

What we did before the inspection

We used 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 three people who used the service about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with two support workers and the registered manager.

We reviewed a range of records. This included three people’s care records and multiple medication records. We looked at three staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures were reviewed.

After the inspection

We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We spoke with three health and social care professionals who regularly visit the service, one support worker and two relatives about their experience of the support provided.

Updated 10 September 2021

About the service

Victoria Lodge is a residential care home providing care and support to people living with a range of conditions caused by acquired brain injury. At the time of inspection, three people were living at the service, the service can support up to six people. Accommodation is provided over two floors, all bedrooms have en-suite facilities and one self-contained apartment was equipped with a kitchenette. Communal areas comprised a large lounge, kitchen/diner, activity room and gardens.

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

People told us they felt safe at the service. We observed people were relaxed and spoke openly with staff and the registered manager. One person told us, “I can speak to [registered manager] anytime I need to.”

People were supported to live independent lives, and staff empowered people to take positive risks, such as going into town. People were protected from the risk of abuse by trained staff who understood their responsibilities to recognise and report any concerns. Staff were recruited safely and received relevant training to their role. One relative told us, “It’s all down to the staff and they are excellent.”

People's needs were assessed when they entered the service and frequently reviewed. Staff encouraged people to follow a healthy diet that catered to their tastes, and people were enabled to prepare their own meals. One professional told us, “The environment has allowed our patient to experience and enjoy a greater level of independence; they probably wouldn’t have got it elsewhere.”

People were supported by caring staff, and we saw people and staff interacting positively during the inspection. People were happy with talk to us and tell us about the service and the support they received. One person told us, “It's brilliant, I love it here. It's like a normal family home.”

People were supported to be independent, and to maintain relationships with friends and family. One person told us, “I go to the pub and park, as much or as little as I prefer. It's really nice here, it's perfection.” One relative told us, “I could not be happier with Victoria Lodge, thank goodness they are where they are.”

People and their relatives were encouraged to feedback on the service. One relative told us, “I have absolutely no complaints; it’s like a palace they are very patient. It’s like a proper house rather than a care home.”

The service was led by a committed registered manager and their team who were proud to work at the service. People were actively involved in the running of the service and felt their voices were heard. People were able to access healthcare when they needed it. The registered manager told us, “Considering how hard it is to start a service, it's gone smoothly. We've done all the things we wanted to do. We’ve kept people safe and they have a decent quality of life, we should be proud of this.”

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.

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

This service was registered with us on 30/04/2019 and this is the first inspection.

Why we inspected

This is the first inspection for this newly registered service.

We looked at infection prevention and control measures under the Safe key question. We look at this in all care home inspections even if no concerns or risks have been identified. This is to provide assurance that the service can respond to COVID-19 and other infection outbreaks effectively.

Follow up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.