Archived: Highpoint Lodge

Updated 10 July 2018

We carried out this comprehensive inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection checked whether the provider is 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.

The inspection took place on 21 May 2018. The inspection was carried out by one adult social care inspector.

Before the inspection the provider completed 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 reviewed the PIR and other information we held about the service. This included past reports and notifications. A notification is information about important events which the service is required to send us by law.

We spoke with a range of people about the service; this included five people who lived at Highpoint Lodge, two staff members and the registered manager. Following the inspection we had responses from one other professional involved with the service.

We looked at care records of three people who lived at the service and training and recruitment records of three staff members. We also looked at records relating to the management of the service. In addition, we checked the building to ensure it was clean, hygienic and a safe place for people to live.

Updated 10 July 2018

This unannounced comprehensive inspection took place on 21 May 2018. The last inspection took place on 18 May 2016 when the service were meeting the legal requirements. The service was rated as Good at that time. Following this inspection the service remains Good. .

People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

Highpoint Lodge is situated close to the centre of Wadebridge. It is a large detached property over two floors. The first floor being accessed by a stair lift. There are eleven rooms one of those being a double room. Of these six had en suite facilities. There is a large entrance hall, lounge and dining room on the ground floor. Bathrooms with adapted baths for people with poor mobility are in place on both floors. An additional toilet is situated on the ground floor. There is a sun lounge off the dining room. To the rear of the house is a garden area with parking to the side.

There were enough bathrooms including assisted baths on all floors. There were a range of aids and adaptations available to support people with limited mobility when required.

The atmosphere in the service on the day of the inspection was relaxing, friendly and calm. Staff responded promptly when people asked for help and support was provided at a relaxed pace. Throughout our inspection we observed staff providing support with respect and kindness. People told us they felt safe and comfortable living at Highpoint Lodge. Comments included, “I love it here. It’s very calm and relaxing”; “Staff are there at the push of a button. So kind and caring" and "Moving here has improved my quality of life. Yes it makes me feel a lot safer than when I was at home alone."

People’s risks were being managed effectively to ensure they were safe. Records showed where changes in people’s level of risk were. Care plans had been updated so staff knew how to manage those risks.

People received their medicines as prescribed. Systems and processes relating to the administration and storage of medicines helped ensure medicines were managed safely.

Care plans contained information about the person and what their individual needs were and how they would be met. Care planning was reviewed regularly and people’s changing needs were recorded. Daily notes were completed by staff responsible for peoples care.

People were treated with kindness, compassion and respect by staff who were sufficiently skilled to meet people’s needs. Necessary pre-employment checks had been completed. However some staff had worked at the service for a number of years and had not had a more up to date DBS check. We discussed this with the registered manager who agreed to act on this by gaining annual declarations from those staff members in order to demonstrate they remained safe to work with people who may be vulnerable. There were systems in place to provide new staff with appropriate induction training. Existing staff received regular training, supervision and annual performance appraisals.

Safeguarding procedures were in place and staff had a good understanding of how to identify and act on any allegations of abuse.

The manager used effective systems to record and report on, accidents and incidents and take action when required.

People received care and support that was responsive to their needs because staff had the information to support them. Staff supported people to access healthcare services. These included, Social Workers, Psychiatrists, General Practitioners (GP) and speech and language therapists (SALT).

People’s bedrooms were personalised to reflect their individual tastes and the service was well maintained.

The premises were regularly checked and maintained by the provider. Equipment and services used at Highpoint Lodge were regularly checked by competent people to ensure they were safe to use. It was clean and hygienic and a safe place for people to live.

Staff wore protective clothing such as gloves and aprons when needed and there were appropriate procedure in place to manage infection control risks

People's rights were protected because staff acted in accordance with the Mental Capacity Act 2005. The principles of the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards were understood and applied correctly.

Meals were appetising and people were offered a choice in line with their dietary requirements and preferences. Where necessary staff monitored what people ate to help ensure they stayed healthy.

There was a complaints procedure which was made available to people on their admission to the home and their relatives. People we spoke with told us they were happy and had no complaints.

The registered manager used a variety of methods to assess and monitor the quality of the service. These included regular audits, an annual survey, staff meetings and daily meetings with people living at the service.