Archived: Elton Lodge

Updated 2 June 2015

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory function. This inspection checked whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

This unannounced inspection was carried out on the 11 March 2015 by two inspectors and an expert by experience. An expert by experience is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of care service.

Before the inspection we examined previous inspection reports and notifications received by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). A notification is information about important events which the service is required to send us by law.

Before the inspection and without a formal request the Registered Manager was in the process of completing a Provider Information Return (PIR). This is a form that asks the provider 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 made the judgements in this report.

During the inspection we spoke with seven people who lived at the home, one visiting relative, five members of staff and a visiting training professional.

Throughout the day we observed care and support being delivered in people’s rooms and the communal areas of the home. We looked at four people’s care plans, one nurse and a care workers recruitment files, staff supervision and training records, medicine records, policy and procedures and quality assurance audits.

We also spoke with an additional two relatives of people using the service and one healthcare professional who work with the service. We also asked the provider to send information regarding activities at the home, further policies and the results of call bell audits.

The previous inspection was carried out in June 2013 and a number of concerns were raised.

Updated 2 June 2015

The inspection took place on 11 March 2015.

Elton Lodge is a care home with nursing in Worthing West Sussex which is registered to accommodate and care for 21 people. At the time of the inspection 17 people were using the service.

Elton Lodge has a registered manager in post. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

At the last inspection on 24 June 2013, we asked the provider to take action to make improvements regarding cleanliness and infection control. We also asked them to make improvements in respect of assessing and monitoring the quality of service. The provider wrote to us and told us what they would do to improve infection control practice; we found that improvements had been made.

Care workers were not knowledgeable about the requirements of The Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) and documentation did not always show people's decisions to receive care had been appropriately assessed, respected and documented. Care workers were also unable to demonstrate a working knowledge of the MCA and the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS). They were unable to demonstrate that they were able to identify when someone was being deprived of their liberty.

People using the service told us that they felt safe. Safeguarding training was delivered annually and care workers were able to identify and recognise signs of abuse. Procedures were in place identifying how people could raise concerns and staff were aware of these.

When risks were identified people were supported to remain safe. Care workers were able to recognise risk and change their care accordingly to meet any additional needs.

Staff recruitment procedures were in place so that people were protected from the employment of unsuitable staff. Induction training was mandatory to assess care staff were suitable for their roles.

Members of staff responsible for supporting people with their medicines had received additional training to ensure people’s medicines were being administered, stored and disposed of correctly.

People were supported to eat and drink enough to maintain a balanced diet. When identified, people at risk of malnutrition and dehydration were properly assessed to ensure their needs were met. Most people told us the food was of a good standard and readily available.

When people’s additional health care needs were identified the registered manager engaged with other health and social care agencies and professionals to maintain people’s safety and welfare.

People told us that their care was provided to a good standard. Care workers were able to demonstrate they had taken time to know the people they supported. People were encouraged and supported by care workers to make choices about their care on a daily basis.

People told us and we could see that all staff treated people with respect and ensured their dignity was respected at all times.

Care plans were personalised to each individual and contained detailed information to assist care workers to provide care in a manner that respected that person’s individual needs and wishes. Relatives were involved at the care planning stage and during regular reviews.

People knew how to complain and were happy to provide feedback if this was required. Procedures were in place to manage and respond to complaints in an effective way.

Residents and care staff were actively encouraged to provide feedback on the quality of the service provided by the use of quality assurance questionnaires and regular meetings. Care staff felt supported by the registered manager as a result because suggestions were listened to and changes made.

We found breaches of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2010 which corresponds to regulations of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014. You can see what action we told the provider to take at the back of the full version of this report.