Archived: Blandford Lodge

We considered all the evidence we gathered under the outcomes we inspected. We used the information to answer the five questions we always ask:

• Is the service safe?

• Is the service caring?

• Is the service effective?

• Is the service responsive?

• Is the service well led?

Below is a summary of what we found. The summary is based on speaking with people who used the service, speaking with relatives and other health and social care professionals, speaking with staff who supported them, observation and looking at records.

Is the service safe?

People had been cared for in an environment that was safe, clean and hygienic. Equipment at the home had been maintained and serviced regularly. We found there were enough staff on duty to meet the needs of the people living at the home and a member of the management team was available on call in case of emergencies.

We spoke with two people who used the service. They told us they could speak to any member of staff if they had any worries or concerns.

We looked at the employment records of two staff members. Records showed that the appropriate checks had been undertaken to ensure staff were suitable to work with vulnerable people. Staff personnel records contained all the information required by the Health and Social Care Act 2008. This meant that staff employed to work at the home were suitable and had the skills and experience needed to support people living in the home.

CQC monitors the operation of the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards which applies to care homes. Relevant staff had been trained to understand when an application should be made, and how to submit one. At the time of our inspection no applications had been made, however, due to recent case law judgement in the Supreme Court the manager was going to contact the local authority to seek guidance and put in place applications as necessary for people who use the service.

Is the service caring?

The manager and staff on duty knew the people they cared for well, including their backgrounds and personal preferences. We saw frequent and friendly interactions between people who used the service and the staff on duty who were supporting them.

The manager showed concern for people's wellbeing for example by taking action in an emergency situation just recently and ensuring that a person currently in hospital was being supported by the staff group to improve their recovery and return home.

We spoke with one relative who told us "I feel X is happy there."

Is the service effective?

We saw that people, their families and their health and social care professionals were involved in making decisions people's care and treatment. Their needs were assessed and care was delivered in line with their individual care plan.

People who used the service were treated as individuals and took part in community activities that they liked to be involved in. One person told us, "I like going to the cinema and I like going out.” The manager and staff told us they promoted people's independence and encouraged them to do whatever they could for themselves.

Is the service responsive?

People’s health and social care needs were assessed before they moved into the home and reviewed frequently.

People were confident they would receive the support they needed quickly should their health needs change. This was demonstrated by the manager who told us they would be advocating for rehabilitation for one of the people who use the service who was currently in hospital to ensure the person’s mobility improved to facilitate their return to Blandford Lodge.

Is the service well led?

The provider was a former health care professional who had many years' experience working with people with mental health support needs. We spoke with a health care professional who told us “This provider is seen as one of the best in the borough, I have been very impressed with the homes approach to X, they are doing every thing possible to sustain X in the community.”

There were systems in place to ensure that people were happy with the service they received and to ensure their health and safety was protected.

During this inspection visit we found that the provider was complying with the outcome areas that we assessed. Improvements had been made to ensure people's needs were assessed, recorded and were being met.

We spoke with one person who uses the service, two members of staff and the manager. We also talked with one relative. At the time of the visit there were two people living in the home.

Feedback from the person we spoke with was positive. The person told us they had no concerns and liked living in the home. They described spending time with other people at the care home located nearby that was owned by the provider.

The relative said they were happy with the care and support their family member received. They told us the person was settled and that staff communicated with them if there were any issues.

Overall the home was being maintained, however the provider might find it useful to note that checks on the cleaning and maintenance of the home need to be more detailed to note when areas needed attention.

We found there were sufficient numbers of staff working in the home at the time of the inspection.

Systems were in place to monitor and review the quality of the care provided in the home and to make improvements as and where needed.

People were encouraged to be as independent as possible and could go out and use community resources without staff. One person informed us that they enjoyed going out everyday and meeting other people.

People were supported to eat healthy options and one person told us they enjoyed the meals provided by the staff in the home.

The three people that we spoke with said they would talk with a member of staff if they had a complaint or concern and said they felt safe living in the home.

The manager carried out appropriate recruitment checks on new staff in order to protect the people living in the home.

We saw care plans and risk assessments were not always in place to address how people needs were being met and how their safety was being maintained.