Archived: Appleton Lodge

We spoke with six people who used the service. Everyone we spoke with was satisfied with the care and treatment that they had received. Comments included, 'I have never lived somewhere like this where I feel so safe.', 'They are doing a lot to the place, it is a good thing.' and, 'This place is a hell of a lot better with the new manager. They care about us a lot.'

We spoke with three staff and the manager. We saw that staff were provided with a range of training to equip them to meet the needs of the people who used the service. Two of the staff members we spoke with had recently been employed by the service. They explained the programme of induction and training they had been supported with. They told us this meant that they were confident in meeting the care and treatment needs of people who used the service. All of the staff we spoke with told us they received regular supervision support meetings with their manager and that team meetings were held on a regular basis.

During our inspection we looked at a range of records. These included care records, correspondence in support of multi-agency working, staff meeting minutes, resident meeting minutes and health and safety checks. The majority of records we looked at were clear and up to date.

The provider had implemented systems to gather the views of people who used the service and involve them in the planning of their care, treatment and support.

As part of our inspection we looked at how information in medication administration records and care notes for people living in the service supported the safe handling of their medicines. We saw that the provider had implemented a system for the monitoring of medication errors and updated the service's medication policy to provide staff with the staff with the guidance on what to do in the event of a medication error and who to go to for advice.

During our visit we observed interactions between staff and people who used the service. We saw staff treating people with respect, dignity and offered people choice with regards to daily life activities.

We found that care plans were comprehensive and person centred. These contained details of the needs of people who used the service and how these needs were met.

The staff team told us they received training to meet the needs of people who used the service. They told us how they worked well as a team.

We found shortfalls in the management of medicines.