Deer Lodge

Updated 15 December 2022

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

This inspection was conducted by one inspector.

Service and service type

Deer Lodge 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. Deer Lodge is a care home without nursing care. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

Registered Manager

This service is required to have a registered manager. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. 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.

At the time of our inspection there was a registered manager in post. However, another manager was in the process of applying to become the new registered manager.

Notice of inspection

This inspection was unannounced.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We sought feedback from professionals who work with the service. The provider was not asked to complete a provider information return prior to this inspection. 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 four people living at the home, three relatives, three support workers, the manager and the chef. We reviewed a range of records. This included three people's care records, three staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including audits, training records, policies and procedures were reviewed.

Updated 15 December 2022

About the service

Deer Lodge provides residential accommodation for up to 14 older people, some with a diagnosis of dementia. At the time of our inspection there were 14 people using the service.

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

People using the service and their relatives told us that Deer Lodge was a safe place to live. This was because staff looked after them well and were also aware of what steps they would take to protect people from potential harm and abuse. There were enough staff to support people and recruitment procedures were robust. Risks to people were assessed and included ways in which staff could support people to keep safe. People were supported to take their medicines in a safe manner by staff who had the relevant training to do so. There were appropriate infection control measures in place and family and friends were allowed to visit their relatives in line with government guidance.

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.

The environment was clean and fit for purpose, people lived in an appropriate physical space with both private and communal spaces for them to spend time in. We received positive feedback about the quality of food in the home and staff supported people that needed extra assistance with eating and drinking. There were alternate choices available to people. The provider worked and shared information with healthcare professionals which helped to ensure people’s healthcare needs were being regularly monitored and reviewed.

The service was caring. There was a friendly, homely feel to the service. Staff understood people’s needs and supported them in a way that was respectful and dignified. People were encouraged to maintain their independence and were able to maintain relationships that were important to them.

There was a digital care planning system in place and care plans clearly identified people’s support needs and the help they needed. People told us they were happy with the activities provision on offer. People and their relatives told us they knew who to speak with if they were not happy about the service.

Relatives and staff told us there was an open culture in the service and the manager was approachable. There were systems in place to monitor the quality of service and the provider had plans in place to introduce more meaningful engagement with people and their relatives.

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk

Rating at last inspection

This was the first inspection of the service under a new provider since it registered with us on 26 November 2021. The last rating for this service was good (published 02 November 2019), this was published under the previous provider.

Why we inspected

This inspection was prompted by a review of the information we held about this service and when it first registered with us.

We looked at infection prevention and control measures under the Safe key question. We look at this in all care home inspections even if no concerns or risks have been identified. This is to provide assurance that the service can respond to COVID-19 and other infection outbreaks effectively.

You can read the report from our last comprehensive inspection, by selecting the ‘all reports’ link for Deer Lodge on our website at www.cqc.org.uk.

Follow up

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