Archived: Parkwood Lodge

Updated 23 December 2015

We carried out this 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 was carried out by one inspector due to the small size of the home and people’s complex needs.

Before our inspection we reviewed information we held about the service. We checked to see what notifications had been received from the provider. Providers are required to inform the CQC of important events which happen within the service. We did not ask the provider to complete a Provider Information Return (PIR) before our inspection.

As part of our inspection, we spoke with the registered manager, two care staff and three people living at Parkwood Lodge. Following our inspection we contacted two relatives, a general practitioner (GP) and one local authority care manager to obtain their views on the homes delivery of care. We also spoke with the providers purchasing and procurement officer.

Some people were not able to verbally communicate their views with us or answer our direct questions. We used the Short Observational Framework for Inspection (SOFI). SOFI is a way of observing care to help us understand the experience of people who could not talk with us.

During the inspection we looked at the provider’s records. These included four people’s care records, four staff files, a sample of audits, staff rosters and the provider’s policies and procedures.

We last inspected the home in November 2013 where no concerns were identified.

Updated 23 December 2015

Parkwood Lodge is registered to provide accommodation for seven people requiring personal care who may have a learning disability and or associated mental health condition. The home does not provide nursing care.

The home has seven ensuite bedrooms. Three are situated on the ground floor and four are on the first and are accessed by stairs. There is a lounge, two dining areas, kitchen, conservatory and a large secure garden to the rear of the property. Public transport and a range of shops are located within walking distance of the service. On the day of our inspection seven people were living at the home.

There was 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.

This inspection took place on 30 November and 2 December 2015 and was unannounced.

People who were able to talk with us said that they felt safe in the home and if they had any concerns they were confident these would be quickly addressed by the staff or registered manager.

There were sufficient numbers of qualified, skilled and experienced staff to meet people’s needs. The provider operated safe and effective recruitment procedures.

Medicines were stored and administered safely. Clear and accurate medicines records were maintained. Training records showed that staff had completed training in a range of areas that reflected their job role.

Staff received supervision and appraisals which were on-going, providing them with appropriate support to carry out their roles.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) monitors the operation of the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) which applies to care homes. The registered manager understood when an application should be made and how to submit one. They were aware of a recent Supreme Court Judgement which widened and clarified the definition of a deprivation of liberty.

Where people lacked the mental capacity to make decisions the home was guided by the principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 to ensure any decisions were made in the person’s best interests.

People were involved in their care planning. Staff supported people with health care appointments and visits from health care professionals. Care plans were amended to show any changes and care plans were routinely reviewed to check they were up to date.

Staff encouraged people to make their own choices and promoted their independence to take part in activities and leisure pursuits of their choice and to go out into the community as they wished.

People spoke positively about the way the home was run. The registered manager and staff understood their respective roles and responsibilities.

There were effective systems in place to monitor and improve the quality of the service provided. We saw that various audits had been undertaken.