Blenheim Lodge

Updated 27 August 2020

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.

This was a targeted inspection looking at the infection control and prevention measures the provider has in place. As part of CQC’s response to the coronavirus pandemic we are conducting a thematic review of infection control and prevention measures in care homes.

This inspection took place on 5 August 2020 and was announced. The service was selected to take part in this thematic review which is seeking to identify examples of good practice in infection prevention and control.

Updated 27 August 2020

Blenheim Lodge is a care home for up to 30 older people. The home provides personal care in a pleasant seaside environment. The home is arranged over two floors with rooms having views of the sea or park. The service provides personalised care and supports people to remain independent and mobile. At the time of the inspection there were 24 people living in the home.

At the last inspection in October 2015 the service was rated Good.

At this inspection we found the service remained Good.

Why the service is rated Good :

The provider had systems and processes in place to keep people safe and minimise the risk of abuse. All the people we spoke to told us they felt safe in the home and with the staff who supported them.

People were supported by sufficient numbers of staff to meet their needs in a relaxed manner. We reviewed the staff rotas and saw staff numbers were consistently maintained and there was a balanced skill mix of staff on at all times.

People continued to receive effective care from staff who had the skills and knowledge to meet their needs. People’s health was monitored and it was clear from people’s comments and care records action was taken when people were unwell. One person was not feeling well and the doctor had been to see them. They said “I just have a cold. I feel rotten. But they are looking after me very well. You get special attention when you are poorly.”

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

People said they were supported by kind and caring staff. Everyone we spoke with was very positive about the staff. People said staff were “friendly” and “absolutely wonderful.”

People received care that was responsive to their needs and personalised to their wishes and preferences. People were able to make choices about all aspects of their day to day lives.

The service was well run by a registered manager who had the skills and experience to run the home so people received high quality person-centred care. The manager led a team of senior staff who shared their commitment to high standards of care and clear vision of the type of home they hoped to create for people. “We want to ensure people are respected, have their dignity maintained at all times. We want a homely, friendly service where people make their own choices.”

Further information is in the detailed findings below