Cedar Lodge

Updated 12 February 2022

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 care homes with outbreaks of COVID-19, we are conducting reviews to ensure that the Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) practice is safe and that services are compliant with IPC measures. This was a targeted inspection looking at the IPC practices the provider has in place. We also asked the provider about any staffing pressures the service was experiencing and whether this was having an impact on the service.

This inspection took place on 18 January 2022 and was announced. We gave the service 24 hours notice of the inspection.

Updated 12 February 2022

We inspected this service on 24 July 2018. The inspection was unannounced.

The service provides accommodation, nursing and personal care for up to 47 older people who may live with dementia. People in care homes receive accommodation and personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection. The accommodation is split into two units over two floors and 42 people were living at the home on the day of our inspection.

There was a registered manager in post. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission 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 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

At our previous inspection in May 2017, we identified improvements were required in delivering responsive care and treatment and in the leadership of the service. At this inspection, we found improvements had been made and the overall rating of the service has now changed to ‘Good’.

There were enough suitably trained staff with the appropriate skills and knowledge to care for people safely and respond to their emotional and social needs. People’s risks to their health and wellbeing had been identified, and staff understood the importance of their role in supporting people to minimise those risks. The registered manager checked staff’s suitability to deliver care and support during the recruitment process.

The provider worked in partnership with other healthcare professionals to ensure people received effective care that was responsive to their needs. People’s medicines were stored and managed safely. Medicines were given in accordance with people’s prescriptions by staff who had received training in safe medicines management.

Staff knew people well and were kind and compassionate in their approach. Staff recognised how their attitudes and contribution had an impact on the quality of care people received. They worked in accordance with the provider’s values of recognising people’s individuality and treating them with dignity and respect. Families were encouraged to spend quality time with their relatives and staff helped people share special moments with those who were important to them.

The home had a welcoming atmosphere, was clean and well-maintained and supportive of people’s needs. People were able to take part in a range of leisure activities and other pursuits which reflected their choice and interests and promoted their physical, emotional and mental health.

The registered manager understood their responsibility to comply with the requirements of the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS). People's right to make their own decisions about their care, were supported by staff who understood the principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005.

There was a strong emphasis on people eating and drinking well. Staff had a good understanding of people’s nutritional risks so they could meet their individual dietary requirements.

People were encouraged to raise concerns and make complaints and they were confident these would be listened to and responded to promptly.

The registered manager had been registered with us since August 2017 and had the skills and ability to provide effective leadership within the home. The registered manager had a clear vision and created a positive culture where staff felt supported to learn and develop. Staff felt confident to raise any concerns or make suggestions knowing they would be listened to by a responsive management team.

The provider and registered manager conducted regular audits of the quality of the service to make sure people received safe. effective care. They also responded to feedback they received from people to improve the standards of care and identify areas of development.