Athorpe Lodge

On this page

• Overview
• Learning culture
• Safe systems, pathways and transitions
• Safeguarding
• Involving people to manage risks
• Safe environments
• Safe and effective staffing
• Infection prevention and control
• Medicines optimisation

The provider had systems in place to protect people from the risk of abuse. Staff demonstrated good knowledge and confidence about the process to follow if they felt people were at risk of harm. The service was working within the principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) and if needed, appropriate legal authorisations were in place to deprive a person of their liberty. Any conditions related to Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) authorisations were being met. There were sufficient staff on duty to meet people’s needs and to deliver good quality care and support. Staff were caring and compassionate in their interactions with people. The environment was clean and infection prevention and control measures promoted people's safety.

This service scored 75 (out of 100) for this area. Find out what we look at when we assess this area and How we calculate these scores.

People felt safe living at Athorpe Lodge and were supported to understand and manage risks associated with their care and support. One person said, “The staff here are really good, you can have a laugh with them as well. It’s [the home] always clean and tidy and I feel very safe living here.”

The management team were keen to learn from experiences and put actions in place to improve the service. The registered manager said, “When an incident occurs, we discuss the incident in staff meeting and supervision sessions. If training is required, we put that in place. We offer staff guidance and support to understand if anything could have been done better.” Staff told us the management team supported them to expand their knowledge.

There was a culture of learning in the service and systems were in place to ensure lessons were learnt when thing went wrong. Accidents and incidents were analysed, and actions were taken to mitigate risks. For example, when people experienced falls, sensor equipment was put in place and people were referred to the most appropriate professionals for further support.

The service offered people support when discharged to the home following an hospital stay. People received rehabilitation from healthcare professionals and staff to support people to return to their own homes. People told us they found the staff supportive and encouraging. One person said, “I’ve been here 6 months and, apart from it being a care home, its brilliant. The staff are perfect. I can’t speak highly enough of them. Nothing is ever too much trouble for them. I can have a shower when I want. I need a carer with me, but they always manage to free someone up for me.” One relative said, “[Relative] has been in [Athorpe Lodge] 3 or 4 weeks this time but has been in and out since April 2024. [Relative] has been very safe here in their care and is going home today. [Relative] has hoists, a padded chair, a hospital bed, the staff are well trained in using them and the manager has helped me no end to get all the equipment at home too.”

Staff were knowledgeable about people’s care and knew how best to support them. Staff told us they worked well as a team and resolved issues with the management team. Staff told us the management team were very supportive and approachable.

Professionals working alongside the home were positive about the information they received from the home. They told us staff worked well with them to achieve good outcomes for people. The last local authority assessment was undertaken in 2023 and rated good.

Safety and continuity of care was a priority, and the provider demonstrated a collaborative and joined-up approach which provided people with good outcomes. If people went into hospital a transfer of care document was completed and a body map was completed prior to going into hospital. The therapy team carried out home assessments to support people to return home. People were referred to other professionals when they required their support. The home also have discharge to assess and spot purchase hospital beds, where therapists worked alongside staff to assess people and their ability to re-enable them to return home.

People told us they felt safe living at the home and said they would feel at ease talking to staff about any concerns. People were confident staff would address any concerns without delay. One person said, “I’ve no complaints, it’s a good place with good staff.” A relative said, “I find all the staff helpful. There is always someone if you need to ask a question and if they don’t know, they find someone who does.”

Staff were knowledgeable about protecting people from the risk of abuse and had received training to help them recognise abuse.

We carried out observations throughout the home and found people were supported in a caring and safe way. The atmosphere throughout the home was calm and relaxed and staff were available to support people in a timely way. Staff offered people choices and respected their decisions.

The management team and staff understood the safeguarding procedure and took appropriate actions to keep people safe. There are safeguarding policies and procedures in place. The registered manager kept a record of any concerns raised and took action to ensure lessons were learnt and the service improved. Care plans included information about mental capacity and where people lacked capacity Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards were in place and monitored.

People were positive about the service and conversations with them confirmed they were involved in decision-making conversations about their care and support. People and their relatives told us they felt safe living at the home. People felt involved in their care plans and staff understood how to manage risks associated with their care and support. One person said, “I’ve found all the staff to be helpful and friendly and do anything to help you.” Another person said, “I’ve been here 4 or 5 months. The staff are lovely. They do anything I’ve asked them to. You can usually get them quite quickly. At night, they check I’m okay, but I don’t really need them.”

Staff knew people well and explained how they managed risks associated with people’s care in a safe way. One staff member said, “Feel I could identify safeguarding concerns and would raise this with the management team. I am confident they would take appropriate action to keep people safe.”

We observed staff providing support in a safe way, for example, people were assisted to use the hoist safely. We saw hydration stations were in place which gave people easy access to fluids throughout the day.

Care plans and risk assessments were in-depth and detailed to ensure people received safe care. Risk assessments clearly identified risks associated with people’s care and stated what actions were in place to mitigate risks. For example, people who were at risk of falling had access to senor equipment. People who were probe to pressure damage had access to appropriate cushions and mattresses.

People were happy living at the home and felt safe. Some people preferred to spend time in their own rooms and told us staff were available when they called for them.

Staff told us they had access to equipment they needed to assist people. One staff member said, “Equipment is kept in good working order and hoists etc, are always serviced regularly.”

During our assessment we observed staff assisting people safely. People had access to equipment they required such as sensor equipment, hoists and pressure relieving cushions and mattresses. Staff had the knowledge and skills to use equipment safely and offered reassurance to people while using it.

Risk assessments in regards to building and equipment safety were kept up to date and well maintained.

People and their relatives spoke highly of the staff and their ability to offer safe and appropriate care. One relative said, “[Relative] has hoists, a padded chair, a hospital bed, the staff are well trained in using them and the manager has helped me no end to get all the equipment at home too. I would definitely recommend this place for their care. The staff are alert and helpful. Nothing is too much trouble for them.”

Staff and leaders worked together to achieve best outcomes for people. Staff told us there were enough staff available to meet people’s needs effectively. Staff told us they received training and support and felt the management team were very approachable. One staff member said, “Staff work as a team, I am well supported. I receive training online and in house. I have just signed up for end of life training and signed up for NVQ level 5.”

There were sufficient staff available to meet people’s care and support needs. We saw staff responded quickly when people require assistance. Staff were also available to support people to visit the local pub for lunch.

Staff received training and support to carry out their roles safely and effectively. The provider had a safe recruitment process to ensure staff were suitable for working with vulnerable adults. The registered manager used a dependency tool to calculate the number of staff required during the day and night. This was in line with people’s current needs.

People and relatives, we spoke with did not raise any concerns regarding infection control and the cleanliness of the home. One person said, “It’s always clean and tidy and I feel very safe living here.” We found the home to be clean throughout and staff were following correct infection control procedures.

Staff were knowledgeable about infection control and prevention and had access to PPE when required. One staff member said, “There are no infection control issues here. We have new flooring in the corridors, and this has helped us keep the home clean and fresh.”

Staff washed their hands in between tasks and gloves and aprons were worn as required, for example, when serving meals. We carried out a tour of the home and checked areas for cleanliness. We found the home was kept well maintained so furnishings and fittings were able to be cleaned effectively. Bathrooms, toilets, and communal areas were all well presented.

Infection prevention and control measures promoted people's safety. Staff had received training about how to prevent infections and how to use personal protective equipment (PPE). A tour of the home confirmed the service and environment was clean and well maintained. The management team carried out routine audits to check areas for cleanliness. Any issues identified were addressed promptly.

People were complimentary about the home, staff and environment. People did not raise any concerns regarding medicine management. We found people received their medicines as prescribed.

Staff and leaders had a sound knowledge of medicine management procedures within the home. Staff told us that action would be taken if an error occurred. They said the staff member would need to receive further training and support, and a competency assessment would be carried out.

Medicines were managed in a safe way and people received their medication safely and as prescribed. Medicine management within the home reflected current and relevant best practice and professional guidance. Systems in place to audit medicine management were in place and robust.