Hunters Lodge Care Home

Updated 3 November 2023

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

Three inspectors and an Expert by Experience carried out the inspection. 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

Hunters Lodge Care Home 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. Hunters Lodge Care Home 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 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.

What we did before inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. 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 8 people who lived at the home, 9 relatives and 3 external professionals about their experience of the service provided. We also received emailed feedback from a further 2 health professionals. We spoke with 11 members of staff including the registered manager, 2 deputy managers, care workers, a cook, a housekeeper and an activities coordinator. We observed care in communal areas. We reviewed a range of records, including 6 people's care records in depth and sampled additional care records. 4 staff files were reviewed in relation to recruitment. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including audits, training, staff rota's, policies and procedures were also reviewed.

Updated 3 November 2023

About the service

Hunters Lodge Care Home is a residential care home providing personal care to up to 44 people. The service provides support to older people, most of whom have dementia or a mental health need. At the time of our inspection there were 40 people using the service.

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

Risks associated with people’s health conditions and support needs had not always been assessed, monitored or mitigated effectively.

The management of medicines was not always safe. This included in relation to ‘as required’ medicines, topical creams and time sensitive medicines.

The provider lacked effective governance systems to identify concerns in the service and drive the necessary improvement. At times, there was a lack of detailed records regarding people's support needs and any potential risks posed to them.

People were mostly supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff often supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests. However, not all practices that restrict people’s privacy and freedom were carried out within the MCA framework. We have made a recommendation about this.

Records did not always reflect the requirements of the duty of candour had been met to show an open and transparent service. We have made a recommendation about this.

The provider had safeguarding processes in place. Staff understood how to recognise abuse and how to report this. We were assured the service were following safe infection prevention and control procedures to keep people safe. Recruitment practices were safe.

Staff enjoyed their work and spoke warmly about the people they supported. People, relatives and staff told us they were given the opportunity to feed back on the service. They were confident the registered manager would listen and act on any concerns.

The management team were responsive to feedback given and were dedicated to ensure people received a safe, person-centred and compassionate service. They began taking action to make improvements in the service.

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 the service was good, published on 31 August 2019.

Why we inspected

The inspection was prompted in part due to concerns that some people were being hurt by others who were experiencing distress and agitation. As a result, we undertook a focused inspection to review the key questions of safe and well-led only.

We have found evidence that the provider needs to make improvements. The overall rating for the service has changed from good to requires improvement based on the findings of this inspection. For those key questions not inspected, we used the ratings awarded at the last inspection to calculate the overall rating.

You can read the report from our last comprehensive inspection, by selecting the 'all reports' link for Hunters Lodge Care Home on our website at www.cqc.org.uk.

Enforcement and Recommendations

We have identified 2 breaches in relation to safe care and treatment and good governance.

We served a warning notice for the breach in relation to safe care and treatment.

Follow up

We will work alongside the provider and local authority to monitor progress. We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect. We will check the requirements of the warning notice have been met when we next inspect.