Elm Lodge

Updated 21 April 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 care homes with outbreaks of COVID-19, we are conducting reviews to ensure that the Infection Prevention and Control practice was safe and the service was compliant with IPC measures. This was a targeted inspection looking at the IPC practices the provider has in place.

This inspection took place on 30 March 2021 and was announced.

Updated 21 April 2021

Elm Lodge is a residential care home providing care and accommodation for up to 26 older people living with dementia or dementia type illness. There were 26 people living at the service on the day of our inspection. Elm Lodge is an adapted building in a residential area of Eastbourne. The home had stair lifts to assist people in accessing upper areas of the home. There was access to an outside area with seating.

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

People and relatives were positive about the care and support people received at Elm Lodge. Relatives said the registered manager was welcoming and approachable and that staff were very caring.

People were supported to have choice and involvement in their care and how they spent their time. Relatives were involved in care reviews where appropriate. Staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

Risks to people’s health and safety had been identified and actions were in place to ensure risk was minimised. Staff were aware of the actions to take if they thought anyone was at risk of abuse or discrimination. Any concerns identified had been reported to appropriate external professionals.

A complaints procedure was in place and although there were no current complaints people were aware of the process.

People and relatives spoke highly about staff and told us, staff were kind and caring. Staff knew people very well, they treated them with dignity and respect. Staff were able to tell us about peoples background and preferences and demonstrated a good understanding of people's individual needs. People were assisted to access healthcare services when needed and any external healthcare involvement was used to ensure people received appropriate care.

People received their medicines when they needed them by staff who were trained to give them out safely.There were enough staff working to provide the support people needed, at times of their choice.

Recruitment procedures ensured only suitable staff worked at the home. Staff received training and support to ensure they were able to meet people’s health and care needs.

Quality systems and monitoring completed by the registered manager and senior staff facilitated on going improvement of services provided.

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 8 February 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.