Mill Lodge

Updated 26 May 2023

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 Health and Social Care Act 2008.

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

Two inspectors and an Expert by Experience carried out the inspection. An Expert by Experience is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of care service. The Expert by Experience made telephone calls to relatives.

Service and service type

Mill Lodge is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing and personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement dependent on their registration with us. Mill Lodge is a care home with nursing care. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

Registered Manager

This provider is required to have a registered manager to oversee the delivery of regulated activities at this location. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Registered managers and providers are legally responsible for how the service is run, for the quality and safety of the care provided and compliance with regulations.

At the time of our inspection there was a registered manager in post.

Notice of inspection

This inspection was unannounced.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service. We asked the provider to complete a Provider Information Return (PIR). This is information providers are required to send us annually with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. We used all this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with 6 people living at the home, and 8 people’s relatives about their experience of the care provided. We observed care to help us understand the experience of people. We spoke with the registered manager and 2 members of staff, we also received email feedback from 4 members of staff. We reviewed a range of records. This included 4 people’s care records and 4 medication records. We looked at 2 staff files in relation to recruitment and supervision. We also looked at information regarding the arrangements for monitoring the quality and safety of the service provided.

Updated 26 May 2023

About the service

Mill Lodge is a residential care home registered to provide personal and nursing care for up to 42 people. At the time of our inspection there were 36 people using the service.

Right Support

Staff protected and respected people’s privacy and dignity. Staff understood and responded to people’s individual needs. Staff understood how to protect people from poor care and abuse, and the service worked well with other agencies to do so. The service had enough appropriately skilled staff to meet people’s needs and keep them safe. 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.

Right Care

People received care and support from a team of staff who were dedicated, passionate and committed to their roles. Staff were caring and sought to ensure people were treated in a dignified and respectful way.

Staff understood people’s cultural needs and provided culturally appropriate care. Staff engaged with people in a respectful and compassionate manner.

Right culture

Leadership and management of the service was effective. The registered manager led by example, creating, and embedding a culture where people felt valued, and their individual contributions recognised. Staff and managers ensured the service was safe by assessing risks to people. Safe recruitment practices were not always followed. Staff knew and understood people well.

Recommendations

We have made 3 recommendations in relation to recruitment, infection prevention control and adapting service, design, decoration to meet people’s needs.

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

Why we inspected

This service was registered with us on 03/12/2019 and this is the first inspection.

The last rating for the service under care uk community partnerships Ltd was good, published on 26/05/2017.

We undertook this inspection to assess that the service is applying the principles of right support right care right culture. 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, which will help inform when we next inspect.