Lakelands Lodge

Lakelands Lodge is a purpose-built care home with nursing, providing personal and nursing care to up to 80 people. The service provides support to adults over and under 65 years of age, and people living with a dementia. At the time of our inspection there were 59 people using the service.

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

The management of risk had improved, but some records relating to people’s care were not always accurate and up to date. The provider's systems to assess, monitor and improve the service had improved but had not effectively identified and addressed the shortfalls we found during this inspection. We have made recommendations about this.

Accidents and incidents were routinely analysed to look for ways safety could be improved, although we found some had not been recorded on the provider's governance system. We have made a recommendation about this.

The provider had systems to protect people from abuse and staff training had improved. The provider continued to review staffing levels, and, through safe recruitment, the use of agency staff had decreased. The home was clean and well-maintained, and the provider operated good infection control practices.

Engagement with people and their relatives had improved and people’s views were taken into account. The service worked with other agencies to maintain and enhance people’s health and wellbeing.

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

Rating at last inspection and update

The last rating for this service was requires improvement (published 23 September 2022). The provider completed an action plan after the last inspection to show what they would do and by when to improve. At this inspection, we found the provider had made improvements and the service was no longer in breach of regulations.

At our last inspection we recommended that the provider should keep staffing levels under review and consider feedback about staffing on a regular basis. At this inspection we found the provider had acted on this recommendation and made improvements.

Why we inspected

This inspection was carried out to follow up on action we told the provider to take at the last inspection. As a result, we carried out a focused inspection to review the key questions of safe and well-led only.

For those key questions not inspected, we used the ratings awarded at the last inspection to calculate the overall rating.

You can read the report from our last comprehensive inspection, by selecting the ‘all reports’ link for Lakelands Lodge on our website at www.cqc.org.uk.

Follow up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.

Lakelands Lodge is a purpose built care home with nursing providing personal and nursing care to up to 80 people. The service provides support to adults over and under 65 years of age, and people living with a dementia. At the time of our inspection there were 62 people using the service.

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

The provider had not always managed risk safely. Records related to people’s care were not always of a good standard. The provider’s systems to assess, monitor and improve the service had not identified and addressed the shortfalls we found during this inspection. The service had not engaged with people and those acting on their behalf.

The provider had systems to protect people from the risk of abuse. Staff training in safeguarding was low, but the provider was working to make improvements. Medicines were managed safely. Staffing levels were based on people’s dependency levels. We received mixed feedback about staffing from people and their relatives. Staff were recruited safely. We were assured the provider operated good infection control practices. The service worked with other agencies to maintain and enhance people’s wellbeing.

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.

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

Rating at last inspection and update

The last rating for this service was good (published 10 August 2021).

Why we inspected

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.

We received concerns in relation to staffing and management of the service. As a result, we undertook a focused inspection to review the key questions of safe and well-led only.

For those key questions not inspected, we used the ratings awarded at the last inspection to calculate the overall rating.

The overall rating for the service has changed from good to requires improvement based on the findings of this inspection.

We have found evidence that the provider needs to make improvements. Please see the safe and well-led sections of this full report.

You can see what action we have asked the provider to take at the end of this full report.

You can read the report from our last comprehensive inspection, by selecting the ‘all reports’ link for Lakelands Lodge on our website at www.cqc.org.uk.

Enforcement and Recommendations

We have identified breaches in relation to risk management, records and quality assurance.

Please see the action we have told the provider to take at the end of this report.

Follow up

We will request an action plan from the provider to understand what they will do to improve the standards of quality and safety. We will work alongside the provider and local authority to monitor progress. We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.

Lakelands Lodge is a nursing home providing personal and nursing care to 28 people at the time of the inspection. The service can support up to 80 adults. Lakelands Lodge is a large purpose-built building providing passenger lift access to all floors. There are multiple communal spaces for people’s comfort and enjoyment. It is situated on the promenade, close to local amenities and public transport. Lakelands Lodge will be referred to as Lakelands within this report.

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

The provider ensured sufficient staffing levels met people’s requirements in a timely way. A staff member stated, “Staffing levels are very good and there is a really good skill mix.” The registered manager monitored the environment, including infection control, and implemented measures to minimise the risks of harm or injury. They developed a skilled, competent staff team to manage people’s medicines safely.

The registered manager implemented an extensive training package to underpin staff skills and knowledge. They discussed, agreed and monitored care plans with each person to guide staff to meet their requirements. 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. The provider ensured people had good quality, nutritious food to reduce the risk of malnutrition.

The registered manager created care plans with information obtained from the person and their relatives. Care and communication centred on developing a calm, relaxed atmosphere. People told us staff had a kind, patient attitude. One person said, “They are all lovely. I cannot fault anyone.”

The registered manager established person-centred care plans focused on meeting people’s preferences. They developed an activities programme tailored to each person’s needs to optimise their mental health and wellbeing. Clear information was available to people about raising concerns and how these would be managed.

Everyone we spoke with talked about a calm, relaxed atmosphere at Lakelands because of strong leadership and a cohesive workforce. An employee told us, “It’s wonderful working here. [The registered manager] is great, well all the staff are.” The registered manager undertook a range of audits to check everyone’s welfare.

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

Rating at last inspection and update

This service was registered with us on 20/11/2020 and this is the first inspection.

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection based on the service’s registration date.

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 coronavirus 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.

Lakelands Lodge is a nursing home providing personal and nursing care to 29 people at the time of the inspection. The service can support up to 80 adults. Lakelands Lodge is a large purpose-built building providing passenger lift access to all floors. There are multiple communal spaces for people’s comfort and enjoyment. It is situated on the promenade, close to local amenities and public transport. Lakelands Lodge will be referred to as Lakelands within this report.

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

The registered manager ensured only suitably trained, competent staff administered people’s medicines. The home was extremely clean and staff consistently used PPE as per national guidance. One person told us, “It’s as if there was no such thing as a pandemic because of the care and dedication of staff.”

Staff supported people to meet their hydration and nutritional needs. Relatives confirmed there was a choice of meals and hot and cold drinks were available at any time. A relative said, “Nothing’s too much trouble. [My relative] often changes her mind and they respect that.”

The registered manager created a calm, compassionate and welcoming culture at Lakelands. A relative stated, “He’s an amazing manager who runs a tight ship. I just feel like he’s a member of my family who looks after my [relative].” Staff attitude should be commended because their focus was constantly on retaining people’s needs and safety.

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

Rating at last inspection and update

This service was registered with us on 20/11/2020 and this is the first inspection.

Why we inspected

We undertook this targeted inspection to follow up on specific concerns which we received about the service. The inspection was prompted in part due to concerns received about medicines, infection control, nutrition and hydration, leadership and quality assurance. A decision was made for us to inspect and examine those risks. We found no evidence during this inspection that people were at risk of harm.

CQC have introduced targeted inspections to follow up on Warning Notices or to check specific concerns. They do not look at an entire key question, only the part of the key question we are specifically concerned about. Targeted inspections do not change the rating from the previous inspection. This is because they do not assess all areas of a key question.

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 coronavirus 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.