Archived: Hart Lodge

Updated 13 March 2019

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (the Act) as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

Inspection team:

The inspection team consisted of one inspector.

Service and service type:

Hart Lodge is a residential care home that was providing personal and nursing care to 10 people at the time of the inspection. 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 is registered to provide accommodation and support with personal care for up to 11 people with mental health needs.

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 was an unannounced inspection. Inspection site visit activity took place for one day on 29 January 2019. We visited the office location to see the registered manager and office staff; and to review care records, staffing records and policies and procedures relating to the service

What we did:

Before the inspection, we reviewed information we already held about this service including details of its registration. The provider had yet to submit a Provider Information Return because the registration of the service had changed. They told us they would submit this as soon as possible. This is information we require providers to send us at least once annually to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make.

During our inspection we observed how the staff interacted with people who used the service. We reviewed care records including people's care plans and risk assessments; records relating to the management of the service, such as staff training records, staff duty rosters, four care plans and medicine records. We spoke with the registered manager, the deputy manager and a senior member of support staff. We also spoke with four people living in the home. After the inspection we spoke with two relatives and contacted social care professionals for their feedback. We also spoke with the area manager for the service.

Updated 13 March 2019

What life is like for people using this service:

The service was safe and people told us they were happy living in the home. People were supported by staff who were knowledgeable of their needs. Staff provided compassionate care and respected people’s privacy and dignity.

People were encouraged to remain as independent as possible and develop their daily living skills such as cooking, cleaning and taking part in outdoor activities or voluntary work in the local community.

However, we have made a recommendation for the provider to review its staffing levels because only two staff supported up to 11 people during some days, which meant there was a risk of additional pressure being put on staff should a serious incident occur.

There was a new provider in place, who took over the running of the home in 2018. They had implemented quality assurance systems to ensure the home was operating effectively. Further work was needed to improve some aspects of the home. For example, communication between managers and the provider required some improvement to help deliver a consistent service to people and ensure the home was well-led.

People received person centred care from staff who were kind and caring. People were involved in the running of the home and provided their feedback. Staff received training and development and felt supported.

The service was responsive to complaints that were raised and feedback was obtained from people. The registered manager promoted an open culture of working together with staff.

The provider told us that they were planning a full refurbishment of the home. They had plans in place to ensure minimal disruption to the service while also reviewing how best to support people and improve the service.

Rating at last inspection:

We inspected the service in April 2017 and rated the service Good. After this inspection the service was re registered with a new provider and this was the first inspection since the change in registration in March 2018.

Why we inspected:

This was a planned inspection that was part of our inspection schedule. We inspected the service because it was under a new registration. All newly registered services are planned to be inspected within 12 months of their registration.

Follow up:

We will continue to monitor the service to ensure that people receive safe, compassionate, high quality care.