Background to this inspection
Updated
11 March 2020
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.
Inspection team
The inspection was carried out by one inspector.
Service and service type
Liberty 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. We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return. This is information providers are required to send us with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. This information helps support our inspections. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.
During the inspection
We spoke with two people who used the service. We also spoke with the registered manager and two staff. We observed medicines being administered and the support people received in communal areas, including the preparation and consumption of meals. We reviewed three people’s care records and medicine administration records (MAR). We looked at four staff recruitment files, together with the provider's training schedules. We also examined other documents relating to the management of the service, procedures, quality assurance audits, team and residents meeting minutes and satisfaction surveys.
After the inspection:
We spoke with two relatives and two health and social care professionals.
Updated
11 March 2020
Liberty Lodge is a 'care home' providing nursing and personal care and accommodation to people living with mental health needs. The service can support up to four people. The care home accommodated three female adults at the time of this inspection in one adapted building.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
Regular checks to assess the risks to people of infection from legionella were carried out appropriately. This together with regular checks for hot water temperatures have helped to ensure people’s protection from infection and scalding. Staff and the registered manager received training for legionella.
Appropriate infection control procedures were in place and staff received training with food hygiene.
Quality assurance audits were improved to ensure they identified any issues and problems and made improvements where and when necessary. They took into account people's feedback and how the staff were meeting people's needs in line with their wishes and expectations.
People and their relatives told us they were safe and that staff were kind to them.
Staff had training to do with safeguarding adults that helped them keep up to date with best practice. Staff followed clear safeguarding procedures that helped to protect people from harm.
Risks to people, including those associated with their healthcare needs, were assessed and plans were in place to reduce them.
Whistleblowing procedures were in place and displayed on notice boards. Staff told us they were confident any concerns they reported would be dealt with appropriately.
Staff rotas and staffing levels were appropriate to meet people's needs and safe recruitment practices were in place.
People’s medicines were stored, administered, recorded and audited appropriately. The provider had appropriate policies and procedures in place to support people safely with their medicines as prescribed.
Comprehensive needs assessments were carried out and there was a good level of detail and personalisation in the care plans to ensure the person's needs were met in an individualised way.
Staff refresher training was updated as required to help staff meet people’s needs effectively. Staff received good support and regular supervision.
People were supported to have 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.
Records showed people were supported to have their health needs met, with access to health professionals as required.
People told us their relationships with staff was good. People said their privacy and dignity was respected. They also said they were able to express their views and preferences and staff responded appropriately.
There were systems in place to ensure concerns and complaints were responded to in an appropriate way.
The provider worked collaboratively with other agencies and organisations to meet people’s needs.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at the last inspection
At the last inspection the service was rated requires improvement (published 27 February 2019). 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:
This was a planned inspection in line with our inspection schedule.
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.