Engelhard Lodge Care Home

Updated 1 July 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

This inspection was undertaken by one inspector and two Experts 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.

Service and service type

Engelhard Lodge is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing and/or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement dependent on their registration with us. Engelhard Lodge is a care home without 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 since the registration date. We sought feedback from the local authority who also work with the service. We used the information the provider sent us in the 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 of this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with 5 people who lived in the service and 5 relatives. We also spoke with the registered manager, a member of administration staff and 1 senior carer. Throughout the visit, we made observations of the care being provided in the communal areas of the service.

We reviewed the care records for 4 people, and the medicine administration records for 3 people. We looked at 3 staff recruitment files and a range of records relating to the quality, safety and day to day running of the service.

After our inspection visit, we spoke with a further 10 relatives and a further 6 members of staff over the telephone, this included 2 senior carers, 2 care staff and a member of the domestic team. We also continued to clarify information with the registered manager.

Updated 1 July 2023

About the service

Engelhard Lodge Care Home is a residential care home providing personal care and accommodation for up to 35 older people, some of whom were living with dementia. At the time of our inspection there were 20 people using the service. The service is a purpose-built care home and is set across one floor. There was a large lounge, and dining room and outside areas for people to use.

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 did not support this practice. Whilst people were supported in a way which supported their choices and in the least restrictive way, best interest decisions had not been documented and applications to deprive people of their liberty had not been made where needed. We have made a recommendation in relation to this.

Risks in relation to people’s individual care needs had been assessed, and plans were in place to mitigate these. Staff understood how to keep people safe from harm and completed training in safeguarding. There were enough staff to meet people’s needs, and there were safe recruitment practices in place. Accidents and incidents were investigated appropriately to determine if lessons could be learnt.

People’s medicines were managed in a safe way and staff completed training in relation to the safe management and administration of medicines.

Risks within the environment had been assessed and regular inspections of services and utilities were undertaken. The service was clean throughout, and staff observed good practice in relation to infection prevention and control to minimise the risk of infection.

Some people told us the timings of the meals could be more evenly spaced out but were happy with the quality and choice of food offered.

People and their relatives were involved in the planning of their, their family members care, and people’s care records were written in a person-centred way. Staff knew people well, and supported people according to their wishes, whilst maintaining their privacy and dignity.

The registered manager and the staff had formed good links with the community and there was a choice of activities and events at the service to ensure people did not feel socially isolated.

The registered manager had a good oversight of the service, and procedures were in place to monitor and assess the safety and quality of service being delivered.

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 12 October 2021 and this is the first inspection.

Why we inspected

We undertook this inspection based on the date the service was first registered with us.

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.

Recommendations

We have recommended the registered manager assesses people’s mental capacity to make decisions. These decisions are to be made in people’s best interests and a documented record of this held. We have also recommended they make applications to deprive people of their liberty where this is required to keep people safe.

Follow up

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