Rose Lodge Exmouth

Updated 6 April 2019

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check 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.’

This comprehensive inspection was carried out on 14 and 20 December 2018. The first day of the inspection was unannounced; the inspection team consisted of an adult social care inspector, and an expert by experience. An expert by experience is a person who has experience of using, or caring for someone using, this type of service. The second day of the inspection was announced and completed by two adult social care inspectors.

We reviewed all information the Care Quality Commission (CQC) held about the service before the inspection. This included all contacts about the home, previous inspection reports and notifications sent to us. A notification is information about important events which the service is required to tell us about by law.

We reviewed the Provider Information Return. 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 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 spoke with eight people who lived at the service; six relatives and one professional. We also spoke with the company representative, the acting manager, 12 staff, including care staff, catering and housekeeping staff. Following the inspection, we received feedback from three health and social care professionals. We looked at records relating to the management of the service including six people’s care plans and associated records including medicines administration records. We looked at three staff personnel files including staff training and recruitment records. We reviewed a selection of compliments and the complaints log as well as the accident/incident records. Documentation relating to the maintenance and safety of the premises was also inspected.

Updated 6 April 2019

Rose Lodge provides accommodation for up to 34 people who require personal care; 33 people were living at the service at the time of this inspection. The service provides care for older people, who are living with all stages of dementia. There are two communities; The Cottage and The Lodge and all rooms are single occupancy. People living in Rose Cottage tended to be more independent. There is a secure and accessible garden.

This was a comprehensive inspection carried out on 14 and 20 December 2018. It was unannounced on the first day and announced on the second. At the last inspection in April 2016 the service was rated as ‘Outstanding’ in effective, caring and responsive. At this inspection we found the evidence continued to support the rating of Outstanding.

There was no evidence or information from our inspection and ongoing monitoring that demonstrated serious risks or concerns. This inspection report is written in a shorter format because our overall rating of the service has not changed since our last inspection.

Why the service is rated Outstanding

The service was outstanding in providing effective support. The internal and external environment was designed using best practice guidance for dementia care. This enabled people to maintain their independence and help them make choices. People were supported by exceptionally well-trained staff, whose approach had been influenced by best practice trends and policies. Excellent partnership working had been developed with other professionals, who repeatedly expressed their confidence in the service. Varied and nutritious meals were provided and all feedback about the food was very positive. People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

The service was outstanding in providing caring support. Staff promoted a person-centred culture and provided sensitive, compassionate care. They responded very promptly to people’s needs and requests with empathy and a friendly approach. They understood each individual person’s diverse requirements and ensured they were met. There was an emphasis on promoting independence and inclusion.

The service was outstanding in providing responsive support. There was an exceptional ‘Active Living Programme’ meaning people were well occupied and stimulated. People were supported to pursue their hobbies and explore new experiences. Music, singing and dancing featured as part of people’s daily life. People made choices about all aspects of their daily lives. Staff took account of people’s previous lifestyles and wishes when planning and delivering care.

People continued to feel safe. The provider had taken action during the inspection to ensure recruitment was robust. Staffing levels ensure people’s individual health, emotional and social needs were met. People were encouraged and involved to manage their risk taking wherever possible to ensure they were in control of their lives. Staff were knowledgeable about how to identify and respond to safeguarding concerns if they arose. Medicines were managed and administered safely by trained staff. The environment was safe and exceptionally clean.

The service was well-led. It had been developed and designed in line with good practice for dementia care. The provider was keen to introduce innovative models of care to improve people’s ‘lived experience’. Effective monitoring of the service ensured continued improvements and that the service provided was safe.

Further information is in the detailed findings below.