Vesta Lodge

Updated 15 April 2021

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.

As part of CQC’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic we are looking at the preparedness of care homes in relation to infection prevention and control. This was a targeted inspection looking at the infection control and prevention measures the provider has in place.

This inspection took place on 22 March 2021 and was announced.

Updated 15 April 2021

About the service

Vesta lodge is a purpose-built care home providing accommodation and personal care for up to 61 older people. At the time of this inspection 60 people were using the service.

Vesta lodge has four units over two floors. There were multiple communal areas including quiet areas.

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

People, and their relatives said the care and support people received was safe. The manager ensured people were protected from the risk of harm or abuse. Risks to people`s health and well-being were assessed, and measures put in place to mitigate identified risks. The manager operated safe and effective recruitment practices. People, their relatives and staff told us there were enough staff available to meet people’s needs in a timely manner.

People’s medicines were managed safely, and people received their medicines regularly from staff who had received training and had their competency checked. There were infection control procedures in place and the environment was clean and bright with a nice fresh smell throughout the service. The manager demonstrated they reflected on any adverse incidents and shared any learning with staff.

Vesta lodge is arranged over two floors. Assessments were completed prior to people moving into the home to establish if people`s needs could be fully met. Staff received training, support and supervision to enable them to carry out their roles effectively. People said they enjoyed the food provided and were offered choice. Staff knew people well and were able to identify any changes in people’s needs and seek timely intervention from appropriate healthcare professionals.

Staff treated people with kindness and dignity. People and their relatives made positive comments about staff members kindness and the attention they showed to people. People were encouraged and supported to be involved with their care choices. People’s care plans were person centred and supported staff with understanding people`s current needs while supporting them to remember important life experiences, likes, dislikes and preferences. Visitors were made to feel welcome at all times.

People received care and support as they wished. Staff knew what people liked and offered people meaningful choices throughout the day. There was clear signage throughout the home so that communal areas, bathrooms and people’s bedrooms were easily identifiable for people and their visitors. People enjoyed a wide range of opportunities for social interaction. People were comfortable to raise concerns if they needed to and felt they were listened to and issues were resolved. When people were nearing the end of their lives action was taken to keep them as comfortable as possible and to remain at the service if this was their choice.

People said the manager was extremely approachable and was seen around the home regularly. People, their relatives, external professionals, and staff, told us the home was well managed, and there had been many improvements. The manager used the manager’s robust governance systems to help identify and resolve issues in the home. People had regular meetings to discuss the service and make suggestions about how the home performed. The manager obtained feedback from people to help make continuous improvements at the home. The manager had developed good working relationships with external health professionals ensuring people's social and health needs were promptly met.

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 25 March 2017)

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.

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.