Blandford Lodge

Updated 17 March 2022

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 Care Act 2014.

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 conducted by one inspector.

Service and service type

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

The service had a manager registered with the Care Quality Commission. This means that they and the provider are legally responsible for how the service is run and for the quality and safety of the care provided.

Notice of inspection

This inspection was unannounced.

What we did before the inspection

We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return. This is information providers are required to send us with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. This information helps support our inspections.

We looked at all the information we held about the service, including monthly action plans they sent us following the last inspection.

During the inspection

We met all three people who lived at the service and staff on duty. We also met the registered manager and other members of the management team. We observed how people were being cared for and supported.

We looked at records used by the provider to manage the service, including care plans, staff records and records of audits and checks. We conducted a partial tour of the environment and looked at how medicines were managed.

Updated 17 March 2022

About the service

Blandford Lodge is a care home for up to four adults with mental health needs. At the time of the inspection, three people were living at the service. The registered manager also managed another registered care home and supported living services. The staff sometimes worked across all of the services. The provider was a small limited company providing care and support in two residential care homes and other supported living services.

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

People were generally happy living at the service. They had good relationships with the staff and felt comfortable and at home.

There had been improvements since our last inspection. In particular, systems for supporting people with their finances, the way in which medicines were managed and audits and checks on the service.

People's care had been planned in a way which reflected their needs and choices. They had access to healthcare services and staff supported them to take part in a variety of activities inside and out of the home. People developed relationships with friends who lived nearby and the staff helped them to stay in touch when they wanted.

The service was a family style home in a residential street. People had their own rooms which they had personalised and shared communal areas. The staff supported them to take part in household tasks, meal preparation and shopping.

There were enough suitable staff and they felt supported by the managers. They had thorough inductions and training to get to know about their roles and responsibilities, as well as the needs of people who they were caring for.

The registered manager was supported by a team of senior staff. There were suitable systems for dealing with complaints, incidents and other adverse events. The management team had systems for monitoring and improving the quality of the service.

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.

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk

Rating at last inspection (and update)

The last rating for this service was inadequate (published 6 October 2021).

The provider completed an action plan after the last inspection to show what they would do and by when to improve.

At this inspection we found improvements had been made and the provider was no longer in breach of regulations.

This service has been in Special Measures since 13 August 2021. During this inspection the provider demonstrated that improvements have been made. The service is no longer rated as inadequate overall or in any of the key questions. Therefore, this service is no longer in Special Measures.

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.

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.

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.