Archived: Patching Lodge Extra Care Scheme

Patching Lodge Extra Care Scheme is a domiciliary care agency. It provides personal care to people living in a large purpose built extra care housing community in Brighton. On the day of the inspection the service was supporting 26 people with a range of health and social care needs, such as people with a physical disability and sensory impairment. Support was tailored according to people’s assessed needs within the context of people’s individual preferences and lifestyles to help people to live and maintain independent lives and remain in their homes.

Not everyone using Patching Lodge Extra Care Scheme receives the regulated activity; CQC only inspects the service being received by people provided with ‘personal care’; help with tasks related to personal hygiene and eating. Where they do we also take into account any wider social care provided.

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

People received personalised care and support specific to their needs and preferences. People were protected from the risks of harm, abuse or discrimination because staff knew what actions to take if they identified concerns. There were enough staff working to provide the support people needed. Staff understood the risks associated with the people they supported. Risk assessments provided guidance for staff about individual and environmental risks. People received their medicines safely, when they needed them.

Care was person-centred and promoted people’s dignity, privacy and human rights. People’s individual needs and choices were recognised, and respected. People were supported to have 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.

As well as the need to keep people safe during the COVID-19 pandemic taking priority, the provider and staff had worked hard to develop good leadership. Quality monitoring systems had been embedded and morale was good amongst the staff team. We received positive feedback in relation to the care people received and how the service was run. A relative told us, “The management and care staff are very good. I think the service is well led, it is what my [relative] needs.”

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the provider had ensured that appropriate infection control procedures were in place to keep people safe. This included ensuring adequate supplies of personal protective equipment (PPE) were available. Staff completed training in relation to COVID-19. We were assured the provider managed infection prevention and control through the COVID-19 pandemic.

Staff had the skills and knowledge to meet people's needs and preferences. They received training, regular supervision and attended team meetings to support them in their roles. Where assessed as being needed, people's nutritional and hydrational needs were met. There was regular involvement from health and social care professionals. People and professionals spoke positively about the support staff gave.

People’s care plans were personalised and gave staff the information they needed to support people. We saw people were supported with their communication needs and their preferred activities in accordance with their care plans.

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 16 December 2019. This is the first inspection.

Why we inspected

This was the first inspection for this service.

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.