Nazareth Lodge

Updated 9 March 2021

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008.

As part of CQC’s response to the coronavirus pandemic we are looking at the preparedness of care homes in relation to infection prevention and control. This was a targeted inspection looking at the infection control and prevention measures the provider has in place.

This inspection took place on 24 February 2021 and was announced.

Updated 9 March 2021

Nazareth Lodge is a care home. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement. We regulate both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

Nazareth Lodge can accommodate up to 24 older people. Nazareth Lodge has people living with dementia and has cared for people requiring end of life care. At the time of the inspection there were 22 older people living at the home.

People had meaningful relationships with the staff and were treated with respect and dignity. Providing dignified care was a fundamental aim of the provider and staff understood how to support people needs. Staff were observed to be very kind, caring and compassionate towards people they were supporting.

People were treated with respect, and empowered to have a voice in regards their care and told us they felt listened to. The provider told us, “If you have no voice you cannot exercise choice and control over your life”. People were involved in supporting the management team to employ staff through their recruitment process. People also received the support of volunteers who had been matched through mutual interests. One volunteer told us, “The contribution I gave and also received has made me feel very valued. It is so lovely to give one to one support to people, I have had all sorts of adventures being a volunteer here, it has been an amazing experience for me and I hope I gave something back”.

Staff were highly motivated, worked well as a team and shared a common ethos of providing high quality, compassionate care with regard to people's individual wishes and support needs. Staff were valued, well supported and supervised by the management team. Staff rotas were flexible and regularly amended to ensure people were able to be supported by the staff they knew and trusted. An example was shared where people and their relatives voted for a member of staff who they believed they had received exceptional care and support from. One relative told us “The carers are excellent. When we have to make a choice for voting for one of them I just can’t.”

Staff understood the provider's safeguarding procedures and could explain how they would protect people and who to contact if they had any concerns. Robust recruitment and selection procedures were in place and appropriate checks had been undertaken before staff began work.

People were protected from the risk of harm by staff who understood the possible signs of abuse and how to recognise these and report any concerns. Staff were also aware of the risks that people faced and understood their role in managing these to ensure people received safe care.

The service worked very well with other organisations. People, visitors, staff and health and social care professionals spoke highly of the registered manager; they told us they found them to be committed, supportive and approachable. One health and social care professional told us, “We have no concerns here, and are confident people are receiving effective care and support by staff who have the right attitude and skills.”

People were aware of the complaints procedure and told us they were confident if they made a complaint it would be dealt with appropriately. Systems were in place to support people who had communication needs such as a computer with a large keyboard.

People's physical, mental health and social needs were assessed and provided in line with current legislation and best practice guidelines. Staff were well trained, received continued professional development and had the quality of their performance regularly reviewed.

People were encouraged to make choices about their food and people's nutritional intake was monitored where needed.

People living at Nazareth Lodge were able to access the community with support or independently.

The provider encouraged community involvement and links with other providers which ensured that people felt involved in their local community. Other adult social care services and the wider community were able to meet together and build positive relationships.

People living at Nazareth Lodge had fortnightly access to a surgery based paramedic. The registered manager told us the benefit of these visits was people’s health needs are reviewed and monitored on a fortnightly basis and any concerns highlighted to the GP.

The registered manager had built effective relationships with external health and social care organisations and people's health was regularly monitored. People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service support this practice.

Nazareth Lodge was responsive in enabling people and their families to engage with their religious beliefs and preferences in regards end of life care.

Effective end of life support was available should people require it. People who were nearing the end of their lives had care plans in place to show the care and support they would like to receive. Staff ensured people were comfortable and their wishes were being followed. One visiting health professional told us, “They are very responsive to people who are nearing end of life.”

The registered manager provided strong leadership. They led by example were open and honest and accessible to staff people living at the home and their representatives. They told us the key to getting it right was, “Listening and good partnership working”.

Following our last inspection, a new initiative had been to set up a group with other providers in collaboration with Care England. The initiative was for more experienced manager to befriend newer manager in different geographical areas over a 12-week period to share knowledge and best practice in regards getting an overall rating of outstanding in their CQC inspection report. The registered manager told us, “This demonstrates our continued commitment to share and disseminate information to others working in this field.”

Further information is in the detailed findings below.