Eastrop House and Lodge

Updated 12 October 2021

The inspection

This was a targeted inspection to check whether the provider had continued to meet the fundamental standards in respect to the safe management of medicines. We will assess all of the key question at the next comprehensive inspection of the service.

Inspection team

One inspector undertook this targeted inspection with remote support from a pharmacist specialist inspector.

Service and service type

Eastrop House and Lodge 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.

The service had a manager registered with CQC. 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.

Notice of inspection

This inspection was unannounced.

What we did before inspection

We reviewed previous inspection reports, and all information we had received about the service since the last inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with three members of staff including the registered manager. We reviewed records relating to medicines administration and the management of controlled drugs. We reviewed care plans of two people whose prescriptions included controlled drugs.

After the inspection

We reviewed all the evidence collected.

Updated 12 October 2021

Eastrop House provides accommodation and personal care to a maximum of eight people who live with a learning disability and autism and/or associated health needs, who may experience behaviours that challenge staff. At the time of inspection four people were living at the home, one of whom had recently been admitted to hospital for treatment of their health needs.

This inspection took place on 9 and 10 October 2017. The inspection was unannounced, this meant the staff and provider did not know we would be visiting.

The service had a registered manager who was on annual leave but came in voluntarily to support the inspection process. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the CQC to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are 'registered persons'. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act and associated Regulations about how the service is run. The deputy manager had been providing management cover to the home whilst the registered manager was on leave.

People were kept safe from harm and staff knew what to do in order to maintain their safety. Risks to people had been assessed and action was taken to minimise potential risks. Medicines were managed safely and administered as prescribed. Arrangements were in place to receive, record, store and handle medicines safely and securely.

The provider operated thorough recruitment procedures to ensure staff were safe to work with the people. The registered manager had assessed the required staffing levels to meet people’s needs to be greater than those commissioned and ensured the assessed staffing levels were deployed.

People were supported by staff who had the skills and training to meet their needs. The manager and staff understood their responsibilities in relation to the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards. People were involved in making every day decisions and choices about how they wanted to live their lives and were supported by staff in the least restrictive way possible.

People were supported to have a healthy balanced diet and had access to the food and drink of their choice, when they wanted it. The physical environment was personalised to meet people's individual needs.

People were supported by regular staff who were kind and caring. People felt comfortable with staff and sought their company. There was a warm and positive atmosphere within the service where people were relaxed and reassured by the presence of staff.

People's independence was promoted by staff who encouraged them to do as much for themselves as possible. Staff treated people with dignity and respect and were sensitive to their needs regarding equality, diversity and their human rights.

People were encouraged and enabled to be involved as much as possible in making decisions about how their support needs were met. Visitors were made to feel welcome and people were enabled to have contact with their family and those who were important to them.

The service was responsive and involved people in developing their support plans which were detailed and personalised to ensure their individual preferences were known. People were supported to take part in activities that they enjoyed.

Arrangements were in place to obtain the views of people and their relatives and a complaints procedure was available for people and their relatives to use if they had the need.

The service was well led. There was a clear management structure in place and staff understood their roles and responsibilities.

In their efforts to work with the commissioners of care to accommodate people in crisis situations the provider had not always been able to complete effective transition planning which had led to one person being inappropriately placed. The provider has implemented new processes to ensure there is no future recurrence.

The safety and quality of support people received was effectively monitored and identified shortfalls were acted upon to drive continuous improvement of the service.

Further information is in the detailed findings below.