5 April 2023
During a routine inspection
Alvina Lodge is run by a small private organisation. The provider owns and manages one other care home. One of the owners is also the registered manager for Alvina Lodge. Alvina Lodge is a care home providing personal care to up to 5 people with mental health needs. At the time of our inspection there were 4 people using the service.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
The staff had not always received a thorough induction into Alvina Lodge when they had worked at the provider’s other service. Staff did not always receive regular appraisals. Some staff told us they did not always feel supported or valued by the management team.
The staff received online training but had not received specific training in techniques to deal with people who had difficulty managing their emotions and anxiety.
People’s medicines were managed safely to help ensure people received their medicines as prescribed and in line with national guidance. However, a person’s medicine to be given as required was not included on their medicines administration record. This was addressed with the pharmacist following our inspection.
The provider relied on temporary (agency) staff on most shifts. However, there was evidence agency staff were regular and had received an induction into the service or training appropriate to the needs of people who used it.
Staff were recruited appropriately.
The staff undertook regular daily safety checks. Lessons were learned when things went wrong. The management team had systems in place to manage incidents and accidents and prevent re-occurrence of these.
Risk assessments contained guidelines and plans for staff on how to minimise risks for people using the service.
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.
People’s needs were recorded in their care plans and met. Staff knew people’s needs and how to meet these in line with their care plans.
People told us they felt safe when receiving care. The provider had processes in place for the recording and investigation of complaints and incidents and accidents.
The registered manager and senior staff were responsive to and worked in partnership with other agencies to meet people’s needs.
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.
You can read the report from our last comprehensive inspection, by selecting the ‘all reports’ link for Alvina Lodge on our website at www.cqc.org.uk.
Rating at last inspection
The last rating for this service was good (published 5 December 2017).
Why we inspected
The inspection was carried out based on the date of the last comprehensive inspection.
We have found evidence that the provider needs to make improvements. Please see the effective and well-led sections of this full report.
Follow up
We will request an action plan from the provider to understand what they will do to improve the standards of quality and safety. We will work alongside the provider and local authority to monitor progress. We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.