Background to this inspection
Updated
20 March 2020
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.
Inspection team
The inspection was carried out by one inspector 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.
Service and service type
Penerley Lodge Care Centre is a ‘care home’. 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.
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
This inspection was unannounced.
What we did before the inspection
We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. This included notifications of significant incidents reported to the CQC and the previous inspection report. We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return. This is information providers are required to send us with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. This information helps support our inspections. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.
During the inspection
We spoke with the registered manager, the administrator, the head of care, three care assistants, two kitchen staff and the activities co-ordinator. We spoke with six people and reviewed seven people's care files, including their care plans and risk assessments. We looked at four staff files and various records relating to the running of the service, including safeguarding and quality assurance records. We also looked at records relating to the safety of the premises, such as fire risk assessments and records of various health and safety checks.
After the inspection
We spoke with three relatives and received feedback from two professionals. We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We reviewed policies and procedures.
Updated
20 March 2020
About the service
Penerley Lodge Care Centre provides accommodation and support to up to 28 people aged 65 and over, including people living with dementia.. At the time of our inspection 27 people were living there. The home was adapted from neighbouring period properties, with accommodation over two floors and a large garden.
People’s experience of using this service
On the day of inspection, we found that food was not being stored safely. Staff took immediate action to rectify the issues we found. The bathrooms required refurbishment or replacement as they were a source of malodour. The home was otherwise clean and well-maintained.
We identified potential fire safety issues that had not been addressed in the home’s fire and evacuation procedures. We have made a recommendation that the provider review their procedures to ensure everyone's safety in case of fire. There were regular, documented safety checks and external assessments of safety and equipment.
Staff had not always been safely recruited. Full pre-employment checks had not been completed.
We received positive feedback about the home from everyone we spoke with. A relative told us, “From the moment I went to view the home I was very impressed… [Parent] is as safe as they can be, they are well looked after and loved by the staff.”
The home had a welcoming, happy atmosphere and we saw staff and people having genuine fun together. Many staff had worked there for years, meaning that people had continuity of care from staff who knew them well and enjoyed their roles.
Staff understood the risks faced by the people they cared for and people's risk assessments were documented and updated regularly.
People’s medicines were stored and managed safely.
People told us they were able to choose how they spent their time. The home offered regular activities such as bingo, quizzes and arts and crafts. There were seasonal celebrations and outings. People who took part in activities told us they enjoyed them.
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 registered manager and his team promoted a positive culture within the home. Staff were trained appropriately for their roles and understood their responsibilities.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at last inspection:
The last rating for this service was good (published 11 July 2017).
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.
Enforcement
We have identified breaches of the regulations in relation to the upkeep of the home, safe storage of food and recruitment. 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 for 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 return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.