Acorn Lodge Care Centre

Updated 27 January 2024

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 Health and Social Care Act 2008.

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 2 inspectors, a regulatory coordinator, a nurse specialist 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

Acorn Lodge Care Centre is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing and/or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement dependent on their registration with us. Acorn Lodge Care Centre is a care home with nursing care. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

Registered Manager

This provider is required to have a registered manager to oversee the delivery of regulated activities at this location. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Registered managers and providers are legally responsible for how the service is run, for the quality and safety of the care provided and compliance with regulations.

At the time of our inspection there was a registered manager in post.

Notice of inspection

This inspection was unannounced.

Inspection activity started on 15 November 2023 and ended on 27 November 2023. We visited the service on 15, 16, 21 and 27 November 2023. Feedback was provided to the provider on the 6 December 2023.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We used feedback from the local authority and professionals who work with the service. We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return (PIR). This is information providers are required to send us annually with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. We used all this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with the registered manager, administration manager, the clinical lead, the charge nurse, 2 registered nurses, 2 senior care staff, 10 care staff, chef, cleaner, maintenance office and 2 activities coordinators. We spoke with 10 people who lived at the home and 10 relatives.

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.

We reviewed a range of records. This included looking at care records for 18 people. We reviewed 8 staff files in relation to recruitment, training and staff supervision support. We also reviewed a variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures and quality assurance records. We reviewed further evidence which was sent electronically by the provider.

Updated 27 January 2024

About the service

Acorn Lodge Care Centre is a care home providing personal and nursing care to older people, including people living with dementia and mental health conditions. The service can support up to 98 people in a purpose built four storey building.

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

People were protected from the risk of potential abuse and harm. People were regularly observed and asked if they were feeling cared for within the home. Staff completed safeguarding training and knew how to report suspected abuse.

People's risks were assessed with systems in place to reduce the risk of harm people faced. This helped people live within the home and community with minimal restrictions. People were supported to be as independent as they could within the home and measures implemented to support people to take positive risks in their local community.

There were enough staff to provide care to people. Medicines were managed safely within the home. The home was clean and people’s rooms were regularly cleaned to reduce to risk of infection. People were able to decorate their rooms according to their personal preference.

Learning took place after accidents or incidents and staff told us they found these reflective sessions helpful to ultimately improve the quality of care for people living at the home.

People’s care needs were assessed before care began to ensure the home could meet their needs, with people and their relatives involved in this process. Consent to care and treatment was obtained before care began. Staff understood the principles of the Mental Capacity Act and to encouraged people to make their own choices as much as possible.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

Staff received appropriate training and support in order to perform their role. People were able to choose meals of their choice from a varied menu and the home provided meals to meet dietary requirements. The home worked well health professionals in order to provide people with good health outcomes and support for staff.

Staff treated people with kindness and respect. People’s privacy and dignity was respected and independence promoted. Diversity was celebrated and staff did not discriminate against people.

Care plans were personalised and met people’s individual likes and dislikes. Activities took place within the home and people could choose to participate within a group setting or receive one to one support from staff. Relatives were invited to join in the activities that were held within or outside the home.

Complaints were recorded and responded to by the management team and people felt comfortable to speak up if they had a concern. People’s end of life wishes were recorded and respected by the home.

Quality assurance systems were in place to monitor the quality of care being provided to people within the home. People, relatives and staff were asked to provide feedback on the quality of care to help drive improvement. Continual leaning and development was encouraged at the home for all staff to keep knowledge and skills up to date.

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 15 October 2019).

Why we inspected

This inspection was prompted by a review of the information we held about this service.

Follow up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.