Acacia Lodge

Updated 12 July 2018

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.

This inspection took place on 24 April 2018 and was unannounced.

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.

Prior to the inspection we looked at information we held about the service. This included previous inspection reports and notifications received from the service. Providers are required under the law to send notifications to CQC relating to specific events. We looked at the Provider Information Return. 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. We took this into account when we inspected the service and made the judgements in this report

During the inspection we spoke with five people, five relatives and one visiting health professional. We also spoke with the deputy manager, the operations manager, one nurse, one unit leader, three care workers, two activity staff, the assistant chef and the maintenance person.

We observed practice throughout the inspection and 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.

We looked at six people's care records, four staff files and other records relating to the management of the service.

Following the inspection we received feedback from members of the community who had contact with the service.

Updated 12 July 2018

We carried out this inspection at Acacia Lodge on 24 April 2018. The inspection was unannounced.

Acacia Lodge 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.

Acacia lodge accommodates 55 people in one adapted building. The service supports older people and younger adults with a range of conditions which includes people with physical disabilities an people living with dementia.

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 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

At the previous inspection on 16 December 2015 the service was rated at Good. At this inspection the service continued to be Good.

Throughout the inspection there was an extremely warm, cheerful and relaxed atmosphere. People benefited from staff who showed great kindness and compassion, which was promoted by the caring culture that had developed in the service. Without exception everyone described a 'family' feel to the service which had developed as a result of an approach that valued and respected everyone.

People received person-centred care that concentrated on what mattered most to them. Staff went to exceptional lengths to ensure people led full and meaningful lives that respected and valued them as unique individuals. Staff had developed positive relationships with people and relatives.

People enjoyed a wide range of activities that took account of their individual histories, interests and wishes. People had been supported to develop relationships with community groups which clearly enhanced their lives and well-being. Community groups were made welcome and their interactions with everyone at Acacia Lodge clearly had a profound effect on people and the groups involved.

People, staff and health and social care professionals spoke highly of the registered manager. The registered manager promoted an open and transparent culture that encouraged feedback about the service. Feedback was used to improve the service and enhance people's lives. The provider had effective systems in place to monitor and improve the service.

People were protected from the risk of harm and abuse by systems that assessed and managed risks. Staff understood their responsibilities to identify and report concerns where they felt people were at risk of harm or abuse. Medicines were safely managed and people were supported to understand the benefits of taking their prescribed medicines. Safe infection control practices were in place and equipment was well maintained. Accidents and incidents were reviewed and investigated by the registered manager.

There were sufficient staff to meet people's needs and staff had time to spend with people. Staff responded promptly to people's requests and were quick to support people if they experienced anxiety. Staff were well supported by the management team and had regular one to one meetings with their manager. Staff felt valued and listened to and had access to a wide range of development opportunities. There were effective systems in place to ensure staff had the skills and knowledge to meet people's needs.

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.

People enjoyed a varied and nutritious menu, which ensured individual dietary needs were met. Where people were at risk of weight loss there were systems in place to ensure dietary intake and weight were monitored. People were supported to access appropriate health professionals in a timely manner.