Background to this inspection
Updated
4 November 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 was undertaken by two inspectors on 7 October 2021 and one pharmacy inspector on 13 October 2021.
Service and service type
New Spring 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
The inspection on both dates was unannounced.
What we did before the inspection
The provider was not asked to complete a provider information return prior to this inspection. This is information we require providers to send us to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We took this into account when we inspected the service and made the judgements in this report. We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection and information from the local authority. We used all this information to plan our inspection.
During the inspection
We spoke with five people who used the service and one person’s relative about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with four members of staff including the provider, registered manager, senior care worker and care worker.
We reviewed a range of records. This included two people’s care records and multiple medication records. We looked at four staff files in relation to recruitment. 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 registered manager to validate evidence found. We looked at training data and quality assurance records.
Updated
4 November 2021
About the service
New Spring Lodge is a residential care home providing personal care to people with mental health conditions. The home can accommodate up to 17 people in one adapted building. At the time of the inspection 15 people were using the service.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
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 were supported by staff who understood their role in protecting them from the risk of harm. People were supported to take reasonable risks, so that they could do things they enjoyed and be part of the local community. Incidents were reviewed to help identify lessons learnt.
People were supported in a safe way to take their prescribed medicine. The staff's suitability to work with people was established before they commenced employment. Enough trained staff were available to support people.
People enjoyed the meals available and were supported to ensure their preferences and dietary needs were met. Drinks were available to people throughout the day. People maintained relationships with their family and friends and were encouraged to give their views about the service. This included raising any concerns they had.
Staff confirmed that due to their mental health condition, people could be difficult to motivate. A good day for many people included getting out of bed and showering. From discussions with people and observations it was evident that they chose how they wished to spend their day. Some people accessed their local community, some listened to music or read. People were supported to maintain their cultural and faith needs and were treated with consideration and respect by the staff team.
Checks to monitor the quality and safety of the service were completed. People’s views were gathered to help improve the service. The registered manager and staff team worked well with health, social care and criminal justice professionals.
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 10 December 2020 and this is the first inspection.
Why we inspected
The inspection was prompted in part due to concerns received about the management of medicines. 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 from this concern. Please see the Safe section of the report.
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.
The overall rating for the service is Good. This is based on the findings at this inspection.
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.