De Brook Lodge

Updated 7 October 2021

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.

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

The inspection was carried out 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.

Service and service type

De Brook Lodge is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as a 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 who was making application to register with the Care Quality Commission. This means 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. We sought feedback from the local authority and professionals who work with the service. The provider was not asked to complete a provider information return prior to this inspection. This is information we require providers to send us 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 inspected the service and made the judgements in this report. We used all this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with eight people who used the service and four relatives and friends of people about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with seven members of staff including the regional director, manager, senior care staff and care staff.

We reviewed a range of records. This included seven people’s care records and multiple medication records. We looked at four staff files in relation to recruitment, training and support. Other records in relation to health and safety and the management of the service were also reviewed.

After the inspection

We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We looked at policies and procedures, staff rotas and quality assurance records.

Updated 7 October 2021

About the service

De Brook Lodge (known as De Brook) is a residential care home providing personal care and support for up to 52 older people, some of whom live with dementia. Communal rooms and individual bedrooms are provided on each of the three floors. Aids and adaptations are provided throughout. At the time of the inspection there were 37 people living at the home.

People’s experience of using this service and what we found

A new manager had recently been appointed. It was acknowledged by the management team that improvements were needed to ensure people received safe and effective care. A range of audits and checks had been completed to review the service. Action had been taken to address the shortfalls.

Safe recruitment procedures were in place. Following review, staffing levels had been increased so that sufficient numbers of staff were always available. Further recruitment was taking place and shift patterns reviewed providing more flexibility in support at core times.

Systems were in place to help manage people’s prescribed medicines. Staff responsible for the administration of medication completed training and assessment to check their practice was safe. Issues identified in one unit were resolved during the inspection.

Individual care plans were in place. These were personalised detailing people’s wishes and feelings. Where risks had been identified these had been assessed and planned for. Support and advice was sought from health professionals where there had been changes in people’s needs.

People and their visitors spoke positively about the care and support provided by staff. A range of activities and opportunities were provided offering variety to people’s day.

Suitable arrangements were in place to ensuring the premises and equipment were kept safe. Good hygiene standards were maintained, and guidance adhered to in relation to COVID-19.

Systems and processes were in place to deal with any safeguarding concerns and complaints. People and their visitors said they felt able to raise any issues with the staff team. Managers had worked closely with the local authority to resolve recent concerns and improve systems so people received safe and effective care.

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 28 September 2020).

Why we inspected

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.

We received concerns in relation to the number of falls, weight loss and the management of the service. As a result, we undertook a focused inspection to review the key questions of safe, responsive and well-led only.

We reviewed the information we held about the service. No areas of concern were identified in the other key questions. We therefore did not inspect them. Ratings from previous comprehensive inspections for those key questions were used in calculating the overall rating at this inspection.

We found no evidence during this inspection that people were at risk of harm from this concern. Please see the safe, responsive and well-led sections of this full report.

You can read the report from our last comprehensive inspection, by selecting the ‘all reports’ link for De Brook Lodge on our website at www.cqc.org.uk.

Follow up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.