Highgate Lodge Care Home

Updated 15 April 2023

Inspection team

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 2 inspectors.

Service and service type

Highgate Lodge Care Home is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) regulates both the premises and the care provided, and we looked at both during this inspection.

This service is required to have a registered manager. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. This means that they and the provider are legally responsible for how the service is run and for the quality and safety of the care provided.

At the time of our inspection there was a registered manager in post.

Notice of inspection

This inspection was unannounced.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since they registered with CQC. We sought feedback from the local authority and professionals who work with the service.

We used information gathered as part of monitoring activity that took place on the 11 January 2023 to help plan the inspection and inform our judgements.

We used all of this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

Inspection activity started on the 28 February 2023 and ended on the 16 March 2023. We visited the location on 28 February 2023.

We spoke with the registered manager and the provider. We spoke with 6 staff members, 3 relatives and 2 people using the service. We reviewed a range of records. This included 3 care records and 2 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.

Updated 15 April 2023

About the service

Highgate Lodge Care Home is a residential care home providing personal care to up to 24 people. The service provides support to older and younger adults, people who are living with dementia and people with a physical disability. At the time of our inspection there were 17 people using the service.

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

People told us they felt safe with staff. People had risk assessments in place to reduce risk. People were supported to take their medication by staff . Staff received medication training and regular competency checks were completed. Staff understood how to mitigate the risk of cross infection.

Staff had received an induction before they started working with people and there was evidence of on-going training was taking place. People who are new to the service were receiving preadmission assessments, which included families where appropriate. The provider worked with other health professionals when needed. Staff supported people with their eating and drinking.

People were treated and supported well by staff. Relatives knew how to make a complaint if they were not happy. Care plans outlined people’s needs.

People and staff views were sought regarding the service and quality of care received. Staff felt supported by the provider. The provider had effective governance systems in place and audits were regularly completed.

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 information, please read the detailed findings section of this report. If you are reading this as a separate summary, the full report can be found on the Care Quality Commission (CQC) website at www.cqc.org.uk

Last rating and update

This service was registered with us on the 20 June 2022, and this is the first inspection.

Why we inspected

This inspection was prompted by a review of the information we held about this 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, which will help inform when we next inspect.