The Care Quality Commission

Archived: Eclipse Lodge

Rawlyn Road, Torquay, Devon, TQ2 6PQ (01803) 607604

Provided and run by:
Crocus Care Ltd

All Inspections

15 November 2012

During an inspection looking at part of the service

We visited Eclipse lodge to follow up on actions taken by the home since we issued a compliance action in May 2012.

We saw that considerable improvements had taken place. Repairs and repainting had taken place to the external walls and windows, and areas completed showed a significant improvement.

We saw that some people's rooms had received attention to the flooring or decoration and refurbishment. As an example we were shown three rooms where new flooring had been provided and some other areas had been provided with additional furniture, for example in the lower ground floor lounge.

However we saw several areas still in need of urgent repair or replacement of carpets, as they were torn or frayed and presented a potential trip hazard. These included in the corridor near the hairdressing room and the small flight of stairs from the ground to first floor levels. One sink unit we saw was in poor condition.

The rooms we saw were clean and since improvements to the heating, were warm. Some rooms had impermeable flooring fitted, due to significant issues with the management of continence.

We discussed with the manager plans to improve the ramped access to the lower ground floor level. We did not see that any changes had been made to adapt the premises for the needs of people with dementia.

We found that staff at all levels were not yet receiving all the support they needed to carry out their role.

31 May 2012

During an inspection looking at part of the service

We, The Care Quality Commission, visited Eclipse Lodge on the 31st May 2012 and spent time with six of the people there observing their care and interactions with the staff and their environment. We also spoke with two relatives and staff on duty, as the people living at the home were not able to give us an account of their experiences of living there.

We had also inspected this home in March 2012, where we had spent more time with the individuals living there. Part of this inspection was to monitor the improvements we identified as being needed on that visit, and to see how the home's action plan was working. We found that areas had either been completed or were being developed by the home under an interim manager, who is the registered manager from another home in the same organisation.

We saw that people were looking well cared for, with attention having been paid to their appearance and comfort. We saw people being supported well by staff who took time to engage them in a way they could understand, either verbally or by touch. We also observed people seeking out staff for conversation and support.

The home's staff had been attempting to gather more information on people's life histories from relatives, and have sent out documentation for them to complete wherever possible.

Staff we spoke to had a good knowledge about the lives people had lived and could tell us about things people had enjoyed and still enjoyed doing. This helped them make sense of some of people's current behaviours. For example one person was humming music whilst we were observing them in the lounge. Staff and visitors told us about how important music had been to this person throughout their life and how much they enjoyed playing an instrument with a member of staff supporting them.

2 March 2012

During an inspection in response to concerns

We visited the home in response to several recent concerns over the service. These included poor morale and staffing levels and concerns about some staff - now no longer at the home. Concerns were also identified in relation to a person with a pressure sore and care issues. We found the pressure sore was being managed by the district nursing service, who had provided equipment for pressure relief to the home.

The registered manager had recently left the service, as had the deputy manager. Management cover was being provided by the manager of another home within the organisation, who is referred to in this report as the interim manager, while a new manager is being recruited. We were told that additional support is being provided from other homes owned by Crocus care, and a new deputy who knew the home well was due to start within a few days of the site visit.

We saw care being delivered to people at the service in ways that respected people's dignity. People looked well cared for and attention had been paid to people's grooming and appearance.

People were receiving support to eat at a pace that was suitable to them, and we saw people being given choices in where they sat and what they wanted to eat.

Sufficient staff were on duty to meet people's needs in a timely way.

26 August 2011

During an inspection in response to concerns

We visited the home in February 2011 to carry out a full inspection review of compliance, and a report of that inspection is available.

Recently we received some anonymous concerns about the home. These related to management of medicines, a person who had access to a chemical that should have been maintained securely, moving and handling practices and they way in which an allegation of abuse was said to have been managed.

On this review we visited the home unannounced, spoke to staff on duty, looked at the records and toured some areas of the home looking at general care and equipment levels. We then wrote to the proprietor asking for his response to the allegations with supporting evidence. We also shared the information with the local safeguarding team an an occupational therapist visited the premises to look at the care of an individual.

The majority of the people living at the home have some degree of dementia so were not able to comment directly upon the level of equipment or care they needed. But we were able to observe how some people were being cared for and we looked at their care plans and daily notes.

4 February 2011

During a routine inspection

On the visit we spent time observing the care being delivered to people who could not discuss their views with us in detail and we spoke to relatives, staff and visiting professionals.

People told us the care given by the home's staff was of a very high standard. One person told us "the care given here is really excellent. I cannot fault it".

Another person told us "I could not look after xxxx any better myself."

Several people commented on the building not reflecting the quality of the care people experienced. We were told:

"it may look a bit shabby, but that doesn't matter. What matters is the care my mother receives, which is of the highest order".

Another person we spoke to told us "It could do with a bit of freshening up, but they really care which is what matters more".

We were also told the new manager is 'Inspirational' and that she had rejuvenated and revitalised' the home and the staff group. They told us that staff were enthusiastic and motivated, despite the challenges of the work they carry out.