Background to this inspection
Updated
15 June 2021
The inspection
We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (the Act) as part of our regulatory functions. We checked whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act. We looked at the overall quality of the service and provided a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.
As part of this inspection we looked at the infection control and prevention measures in place. This was conducted so we can understand the preparedness of the service in preventing or managing an infection outbreak, and to identify good practice we can share with other services.
Inspection team
The inspection team consisted of two inspectors and both visited the service.
Service and service type
Appleton Lodge is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or 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 service had a manager registered with the Care Quality Commission. 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 the inspection
We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return. This is information provider are required to send us with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. This information helps support our inspectors. We used all this information to plan our inspection.
During the inspection
We spoke with six people who used the service and four relatives. We spoke to eight members of staff including the registered manager, unit manager, registered nurses and care workers.
We reviewed a range of records. This included two people’s care plans and some medicine records. We looked at three staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision. We also looked at a variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures were reviewed.
After the inspection
We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We looked at training data and health and safety records.
Updated
15 June 2021
About the service
Appleton Lodge is a residential care home providing personal and nursing care for up to 15 people aged 65 and over at the time of inspection. The service was supporting 15 people with a range of needs including dementia, physical disabilities and learning disabilities. Each bedroom has their own en-suite facilities. Appleton Lodge accommodated people on two floors. People were able to access each floor via a lift.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
People told us they felt safe living at the service. Risks assessments were in place for people and gave guidance for staff to follow. Medicines were managed safely and there were enough staff deployed to keep people safe. The service was working within current infection control guidance.
People were supported by staff who were adequately trained to meet their needs. The service assessed people’s needs before admitting them to 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 and relatives told us the support they and their loved ones received was caring, kind and compassionate. Staff encouraged people to be as independent as possible. We observed caring and compassionate interactions between people and staff throughout inspection.
People were receiving person-centred care and their communication needs were met. Relatives were able to visit and told us they were happy with the visiting process. The registered manager supported a positive, person centred culture.
The registered manager worked well with other agencies to ensure joined up care was provided for people. Audits were in place to ensure the quality of the service delivered by staff. Staff spoke positively about the management team.
We expect health and social care providers to guarantee autistic people and people with a learning disability the choices, dignity, independence and good access to local communities that most people take for granted. Right Support, right care, right culture is the statutory guidance which supports CQC to make assessments and judgements about services providing support to people with a learning disability and/or autistic people.
This service was able to demonstrate how they were meeting the underpinning principles of Right support, right care, right culture. Although the size of the service was not in line with the principles of right care, right support, right culture, the staff delivered nursing care in a person-centred way that offered people choice and independence. Peoples outcome reflected the principles and values of right care, right support, right culture as people were supported to live inclusive and empowered lives.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at the last inspection
The service was registered with us on 14 August 2019 and this is the first inspection.
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection based on the length of time service is registered with us.
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.
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.