Wemyss Lodge

Updated 30 November 2021

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 Care Act 2014.

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 two inspectors and an Expert by Experience was used to phone relatives to get their feedback. 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

Wemyss Lodge is a ‘care home’. 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 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 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 the local authority and professionals who work with the service. The provider was not asked to complete a provider information return prior to this inspection. This is information we require providers to send us 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. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with eight relatives to seek their opinions about the care provided to their loved ones. We spoke with 10 members of staff including the provider, registered manager, deputy manager, an external consultant, senior care workers and care workers.

We reviewed a range of records. This included six people’s care records and multiple medication records. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures were reviewed.

After the inspection

We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We looked at training data and quality assurance records. We heard from four professionals who regularly visit the service.

Updated 30 November 2021

About the service

Wemyss Lodge is a residential care home registered to provide personal and nursing care for up to 60 people aged 18 and above with a wide range of support needs. At the time of the inspection 41 people were living at the home.

The care home had two separate units. One of these units was subdivided into three separate areas supporting 17 people. This unit specialised in providing care to people with more complex care needs including those living with dementia.

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

The home had made improvements since our last inspection which had been embedded into daily practice. This included improvements to medicines management and effective systems introduced to enable the provider to monitor and improve the service. Lessons were learnt and shared amongst the team, with a chance to reflect on practice.

Staff knew how to keep people safe and who to report to if they had concerns. There was confidence in the registered manager that they would take any concerns seriously and act upon them.

There was enough staff on duty, and they had been recruited safely and had the necessary skills and training to support people.

Risk assessment processes had improved. Care plans contained detailed risk assessments and management plans which ensured people received safe care. Medicines were managed safely by trained, competent staff.

The home worked well with health and social care professionals when needed.

Infection prevention and control procedures were robust, and the latest government guidance was followed regarding COVID-19.

There was a range of audits which checked, monitored and improved practices within the home. Relatives and staff told us they had confidence in the management of the home.

The provider worked to gain the views of the people living there and their relatives in order to make improvements. The registered manager and staff understood their role within Wemyss Lodge. Where necessary referrals had been made to external agencies including CQC.

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

Rating at last inspection and update

The last rating for this service was requires improvement (published 20 November 2020) and there were two breaches of regulation. The provider completed an action plan after the last inspection to show what they would do and by when to improve. At this inspection we found improvements had been made and the provider was no longer in breach of regulations.

Why we inspected

We undertook this focused inspection to check they had followed their action plan and to confirm they now met legal requirements. This report only covers our findings in relation to the Key Questions of Safe and Well-led which contain those requirements.

The ratings from the previous comprehensive inspection for those key questions not looked at on this occasion were used in calculating the overall rating at this inspection. The overall rating for the service has changed from Requires Improvement to Good. This is based on the findings at this inspection.

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 Wemyss Lodge on our website at www.cqc.org.uk.

Follow up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.