We carried out a review of the data available to us about York Lodge on 6 July 2023. We have not found evidence that we need to carry out an inspection or reassess our rating at this stage.
This could change at any time if we receive new information. We will continue to monitor data about this service.
If you have concerns about York Lodge, you can give feedback on this service.
We found the following examples of good practice.
The majority of people living at the service had received a Covid-19 vaccine and their consent had been obtained. Those who declined had their wishes respected with a risk assessment in place to minimise risk of potential transmission. People and staff had access to regular testing for Covid-19.
People were able to access the community freely; risk assessments were in place for this. Staff provided face masks and hand sanitiser for people to use whilst out. Upon return, people were encouraged to sanitise their hands.
Visitors were welcomed and required to wear masks and use hand sanitiser, for people whose families were unable to visit, staff supported people to stay in contact via video calls.
York Lodge is a residential care home providing care and support for 22 people living with a range of mental health needs such as Korsakoff Syndrome, schizophrenia, depression, personality disorder and bi-polar disorder. The service can support up to 24 people. Accommodation is provided over three floors, including communal areas comprise a large lounge and dining area, a ‘quiet lounge’ on the top floor and six bathrooms.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
People felt safe at the home. A person told us, “’I have been to lots places. This is the best home. It is my home now.’’ People lived independent lives at the home and staff supported people to take positive risks, such as going shopping in the town. People were protected from the risk of abuse by well trained staff who saw the safety of people as a priority. Staff were recruited safely, and some staff had worked at the home for several years, due to this they got to know people well. Staff assisted people to wash and to keep their rooms and their clothes clean.
People’s needs were assessed when they entered the home and frequently during their stay. People could personalise their rooms and were able to have personal items such as televisions, kettles and computers. Staff encouraged people to follow a healthy diet and the service provided home cooked meals if people wanted them. A person told us, “Staff respect us, and the food is lovely. When I had my hip surgery I had my meals in my room. My favourite meal is roasted beef on Sunday. I can ask something to be cooked for me if don’t like the choices.”
Staff were caring, and we saw people and staff interacting positively during the inspection. People were happy to talk to us and tell us about the care at the home. We saw people enjoying beauty treatments in the dining room after lunch. A staff member told us, “We have time to do people’s nails, to take people out for coffee, there is time to do your job.”
People were supported to be independent, and to maintain relationships with friends and family outside the home. A person told us, “Sometimes I go out with my daughter. I like drinking shandy. My daughter is getting married and the assistant manager is taking me to the reception.”
The home was well led by senior staff and a close team of support staff who were proud to work at the service. Staff were keen to tell us they worked in the people’s home and they were there to support people to live their lives as they chose. People were actively involved in planning events in the home and felt their voices were heard. People were able to access outside healthcare whenever they needed it, and staff were always available to accompany them to appointments.
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.
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 10 January 2017).
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.
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.
York Lodge is registered to provide care and support for up to 24 people living with a range of mental health needs such as Korsakoff Syndrome, schizophrenia, depression, personality disorder and bi-polar disorder. At the time of our inspection, 23 people were living at the home. York Lodge is situated in a residential area of Worthing, with the town centre and seafront within walking distance. Accommodation is provided over two floors and communal areas comprise a large sitting room and dining room, a ‘quiet lounge’ on the top floor and six bathrooms. Rooms are of single or double occupancy. Wi-Fi is available throughout the home.
A registered manager was 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.
People were protected from avoidable harm and abuse by trained staff who knew what action to take if they suspected abuse was taking place. Risks to people were identified, assessed and managed appropriately. Sufficient numbers of staff were on duty to keep people safe and could be deployed flexibly as needed. New staff were recruited following safe practices. Medicines were managed appropriately and people were protected by the prevention and control of infection.
Staff had been trained in a wide range of areas which enabled some staff to undertake dual roles, thus enabling people to receive effective care and support at the time they needed it. Staff attended supervision meetings and team meetings and communication across the service was good. People’s consent was gained in line with the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and staff understood their responsibilities under this legislation. No-one living at York Lodge was subject to Deprivation of Liberty safeguards and people were free to come and go. People had sufficient to eat and drink and were encouraged to maintain a healthy lifestyle. They had access to a range of healthcare professionals and services. People were involved in decisions relating to the environment and had personalised their rooms to their own taste.
Staff were kind, reassuring and warm with people and were easily accessible when people wanted to talk with them. Staff were patient in their care of people and genuinely mindful of their wellbeing. People were encouraged to express their views and to be involved in all aspects of their care. They were treated with dignity and respect by staff.
Care plans reflected people’s likes, dislikes and the way they wished to be cared for. People were fully involved in reviewing their care plans and met with staff on a regular basis to ensure their changing needs were accommodated and met. People had signed their care plans to show their involvement and agree the contents. Care plans were flexible to meet people’s needs, for example, when they became unwell. A support worker went out with people into the community and encouraged people to pursue interests of importance to them. There was also a range of activities within the home. A complaints policy was in place, but no formal complaints had been received within the last year.
People were involved in developing the service and their views, as well as their relatives, were sought and acted upon. A newsletter kept people in touch with what was happening at York Lodge. Residents’ meetings enabled people to discuss a range of issues. Overall, people and their relatives were very positive about the staff and the standard of care provided at the home. The home was well managed and good leadership was visible at all levels inspiring staff to provide a quality service. Staff were happy in their work and talked about the importance of a team approach. A range of systems was in place to measure and monitor the quality of care provided and the service overall.
We noted that people were able to manage their own social lives and were facilitated to do so by staff, who were aware of their responsibilities to act in people's best interests. There were also social activities, events and holidays on offer, organised by the provider.
We saw that people's consent was obtained where possible before care and treatment was undertaken. We observed that the care given was safe and appropriate and based on effective care planning and risk assessments. This meant that people's individual needs were met and preferences were taken into account.
People were protected from abuse and cared for in a safe and inclusive environment. There were enough qualified, skilled and experienced staff to meet people's needs. We also found that systems were in place for people and relatives to make a complaint about the service if necessary.
We spoke with people both individually and in groups and they told us that 'the staff were their family'. They told us that the staff were kind and that the manager was always available to sort out their problems.
One person told us that 'This is my home and I'm really happy here'. People told us they could choose what they wanted to do.