Holly Lodge Care Home

Updated 3 March 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 11/02/2022 and was announced. We gave the service 24 hours’ notice of the inspection.

Updated 3 March 2022

About the service

Holly Lodge Care Home is a residential care home providing personal care to people. The service accommodates up to 41 people with a range of needs including some living with a dementia. At the time of inspection 41 people were living at the service.

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

People and relatives were extremely complimentary about the service. Comments included, “It is like a little family it’s just lovely,” “They are brilliant what you see is what you get the are pleasant, respectful, kind and caring,” and “The care is outstanding.”

Relatives told us staff went that ‘extra mile’ and recalled many stories were their family member had had happy outcomes. Staff were motivated and passionate about making sure people received the best care possible. A visiting healthcare professional said, “[Staff] were great handling a problem getting the equipment in and their knowledge about the condition was outstanding.”

The service had a warm friendly atmosphere. Staff displayed genuine affection and were kind and considerate and had a real empathy with people. Staff recognised what was important for people and supported them to overcome obstacles to achieve positive outcomes.

People were at the centre of the service supported by dedicated, well trained and experienced staff. The service supported people to remain part of the community where some had lived all their lives.

Relatives and people told us staff were extremely kind, caring and compassionate. Relatives told us how staff had become part of their extended family.

People had a range of activities to support their emotional, physical and social needs. People were supported to maintain their interests and develop new hobbies. The service recognised the benefits of intergeneration interaction and worked in partnerships with a mother and toddlers’ group, schools and a local college.

The service was responsive to changes in people’s needs and supported people with their individual needs and choices. People had enough to eat and drink and had access to specialist equipment to remain independent.

The service had been adapted to ensure people were safe and could be as independent as possible. Health and safety checks were regularly conducted. Enough staff were on duty to meet people's needs. A robust recruitment procedure was in place which included ensuring appropriate checks were undertaken before new staff started working at the service. Risks were identified and managed.

The provider had systems in place to ensure people were protected from the risk of abuse and harm. Staff completed safeguarding training and were confident any issues raised would be dealt with appropriately.

Incidents and accidents and safeguarding concerns were recorded and reviewed to identify trends or patterns, using the information to drive improvement. People's medicines were administered and managed safely.

The service worked with external healthcare professionals to support and maintain people’s health. People received person-centred care and were supported by staff who knew them well. Care plans were clear and outlined how to support people safely and as they preferred.

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.

Staff understood and applied the principles of the Mental Capacity Act (MCA), and were aware of people’s rights when they could not consent themselves.

The provider and management team monitored the quality of the service. People, relatives and staff were regularly asked for feedback, this information was used to make improvements.

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk

Rating at last inspection

This service was registered with us on 8/1/19 and this is the first inspection.

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection based on the scheduling for new services.

Follow up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.