Background to this inspection
Updated
12 January 2023
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 Health and Social Care Act 2008.
As part of this inspection we looked at the infection control and prevention measures in place. This was conducted so we can understand the preparedness of the service in preventing or managing an infection outbreak, and to identify good practice we can share with other services.
Inspection team
The inspection was carried out by one inspector and an Expert by Experience on the first day, and one inspector on the second day. An Expert by Experience is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of care service.
Service and service type
Healey Lodge is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing and/or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement dependent on their registration with us. Healey Lodge is a care home without nursing care. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.
Registered Manager
This provider is required to have a registered manager to oversee the delivery of regulated activities at this location. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Registered managers and providers are legally responsible for how the service is run, for the quality and safety of the care provided and compliance with regulations.
At the time of our inspection there was a registered manager in post. The registered manager was newly registered.
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. The provider was not asked to complete a Provider Information Return (PIR) prior to this inspection. A PIR is information providers send us to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We used all this information to plan our inspection.
During the inspection
We spoke with 10 people who used the service and 2 relatives. We spoke with 5 staff members, including 3 carers, a senior carer and the registered manager.
We looked at 3 people’s care records, associated documents, medicines records and medicines related documentation. We also looked at 3 staff files, training records. As well as records relating to the operation and management of the service. We undertook a tour of the building, observed medicines administration and their storage, and spent time observing support provided in communal areas.
Updated
12 January 2023
About the service
Healey Lodge is a residential care home providing personal care to up to 24 people in a two-storey adapted building. The service provides support to younger people, people over 65 years, autistic people and people with a learning disability. At the time of our inspection there were 22 people using the service.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
Medicines were not always managed safely. Recruitment checks were not always being completed. We have made a recommendation about infection prevention and control measures and seeking the views of people. Required health and safety checks were being carried out. There were enough staff to meet people’s needs. People told us they felt safe and well cared for in the service. Staff were able to recognise abuse and knew how to report.
People were supported to have maximum 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.
We expect health and social care providers to guarantee autistic people and people with a learning disability the choices, dignity, independence and good access to local communities that most people take for granted. Right support, right care, right culture is the statutory guidance which supports CQC to make assessments and judgements about services providing support to people with a learning disability and/or autistic people. We considered this guidance as there were people using the service who have a learning disability and or who are autistic.
Systems and processes were not always effective to oversee and manage the service. Staff meetings were occurring. The home had a positive culture. Staff and people provided positive feedback on the registered manager and found him to be approachable and supportive. The service is working with other professionals to meet people’s health needs.
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 July 2018).
Why we inspected
We looked at infection prevention and control measures under the Safe key question. We look at this in all care home inspections even if no concerns or risks have been identified. This is to provide assurance that the service can respond to COVID-19 and other infection outbreaks effectively.
This inspection was prompted by a review of the information we held about this service. We received concerns in relation to personal care delivery, skin integrity management and communication. As a result, we undertook a focused inspection to review the key questions of safe and well-led only.
For those key questions not inspected, we used the ratings awarded at the last inspection to calculate the overall rating. The overall rating for the service has changed from good to requires improvement based on the findings of this inspection.
We have found evidence that the provider needs to make improvements. Please see the safe and well-led of this full report.
You can see what action we have asked the provider to take at the end of this full report.
You can read the report from our last comprehensive inspection, by selecting the ‘all reports’ link for Healey Lodge on our website at www.cqc.org.uk.
Enforcement and Recommendations
We have identified breaches in relation to safe management of medicines, safe recruitment and oversight of the service at this inspection.
Please see the action we have told the provider to take at the end of this report.
Follow up
We will request an action plan from the provider to understand what they will do to improve the standards of quality and safety. We will work alongside the provider and local authority to monitor progress. We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.