Lowgate Care Home

Updated 27 January 2022

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 COVID-19 pandemic we are looking at how services manage infection control and visiting arrangements. This was a targeted inspection looking at the infection prevention and control measures the provider had in place. We also asked the provider about any staffing pressures the service was experiencing and whether this was having an impact on the service.

This inspection took place on 07 January 2022 and was announced. We gave the service 24 hours’ notice of the inspection.

Updated 27 January 2022

The inspection took place on 20 and 21 March 2018 and was unannounced, which meant the provider did not know we would be visiting. At the last inspection in January 2016 the provider had not ensured that people were protected against the risks associated with unsafe and unsuitable premises. These issues were breaches of regulation 15 (premises and equipment).

Following the inspection, the provider sent us a detailed action plan to explain how they would address these concerns. At this inspection the provider had made improvements which meant they were no longer in breach of the regulations.

Lowgate is a 'care home'. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as single packages under one contractual agreement. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection. Lowgate provides accommodation on ground floor level for up to 42 people with residential and nursing care needs. People had a range of health care needs, including those living with dementia. At the time of the inspection, there were 40 people living at the service.

The service had a registered manager. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the CQC to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are 'registered persons'. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

The provider had submitted statutory notifications and had displayed its inspection rating in the service and on its website as legally required. The registered manager was held in high regard by people, relatives, staff and healthcare professionals whom we spoke with.

People told us they felt safe as did their relatives. Staff had received safeguarding adults training and told us they would have no hesitation in reporting any concerns. Where concerns had arisen, these had been addressed, which included disciplinary action towards staff when necessary.

Medicines were generally managed well with people receiving their medicines on time by trained staff. Some issues we found during the inspection were addressed straight away by the registered manager.

There was enough staff on duty at the service at all times. There were suitable recruitment procedures in place. Checks were taken before staff started in their role at the service. We have made a recommendation regarding the review of the Disclosure and Barring Service procedures in line with good practice.

Staff had received a full induction, a range of appropriate training and felt fully supported in their work at the service.

Before people moved into the service they had their needs assessed to ensure the provider could meet them. Once people moved into the service, full and detailed person centred care plans were prepared with important information recorded about people to support staff in assisting them.

Risk was identified and assessed to minimise harm to people. Where accidents or incidents had occurred, these were fully recorded and monitored for any trends forming.

Suitable checks were made on the premises and the equipment to ensure they were safe, this included all of the utilities and the building itself. Emergency contingency plans were in place in case of emergencies and the provider had recently completed a fire risk assessment to minimise risk to people even further.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff support them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service support this practice.

Good quality nutritious food and suitable refreshments were available to people. Support was offered to maintain dignity and respect to those who could not fully manage themselves. This included, for example, help with meals, personal care and mobility.

People told us staff showed them kindness and were caring and we observed many examples of this throughout the inspection. this included words of comfort, positive conversations and explanations of care tasks being provided.

Outside healthcare professionals were fully involved in the service. This included district nurses, who were very positive about the service and a GP who completed regular visits. The service had been quick in responding when this was required due to, for example, a deterioration in health.

There was a good selection of activities available to stimulate people at the service run by a passionate activity coordinator. This included a range of entertainers, visits from community groups, music, church services and a selection of arts and crafts.

Complaints procedures were available and people and their relatives told us they would complain if they needed to. Any complaints or ‘grumbles’ had been dealt with fully and in line with the provider's policy.

The provider had a range of quality monitoring procedures in place to ensure that the service remained to a good standard. These included checks on medicines, infection control and care plans. Where issues had been identified actions were in place and the registered manager had worked or was working through these.

People and their relatives were kept at the heart of the service and encouraged to complete surveys and meetings for example. Results of any feedback were displayed on notice boards in the main reception area to show transparency by the provider.