Archived: Signature Moorlands Lodge Care Home

Signature Moorlands Lodge Care Home provides facilities and services for up to 106 older people who require personal or nursing care. The service is purpose built and provides accommodation and facilities over three floors. There were 75 people living at Moorlands Lodge at the time of our inspection.

We found the following examples of good practice.

Adaptations had been made to the way the building was used to enable people to receive visitors safely. This included a sheltered outside area, a visiting pod with intercom system and designated visitors’ room. A booking system was in place which also covered early evening and weekend visiting.

The home was clean and hygienic throughout. Cleaning schedules were detailed and closely monitored. These included frequent cleaning of high touch areas such as handrails and doors. Furniture had been arranged to encourage people to maintain a safe distance whilst still creating a relaxed environment where people could socialise. Where people found it difficult to maintain social distancing, additional measures had been implemented such as more frequent cleaning and hand hygiene.

Staff had access to personal protective equipment (PPE) and were observed to wear this in line with government guidance. Regular training was provided regarding how staff should use and dispose of PPE safely. Testing for COVID-19 for staff, people and visitors was completed on a regular basis. A testing co-ordinator had been appointed to ensure this was carefully recorded and monitored.

At our last inspection we rated the service good. At this inspection we found the evidence continued to support the rating of good and there was no evidence or information from our inspection and on-going monitoring that demonstrated serious risks or concerns. This inspection report is written in a shorter format because our overall rating of the service has not changed since our last inspection.

At this inspection we found the service remained Good.

Why the service is rated Good.

People were supported by sufficient staff who had undergone robust recruitment checks to ensure they were suitable to work in the service. Risks to people’s safety were identified and management plans were in place to keep people as safe as possible. Staff understood their responsibilities in keeping safe from abuse and reporting any concerns. Safe medicines management systems were in place. Relevant health and safety checks were completed and the provider had a contingency plans in place.

People are supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service support this practice. Staff received an induction to the service and regular training and supervision. People’s needs were assessed prior to them moving to Moorlands Lodge. People were supported to access healthcare professionals and a variety of nutritious foods were available to help people stay healthy.

Staff knew people well and ensured their care was provided in a person centred manner. Staff treated people with kindness and respected their privacy and dignity. People were supported to maintain their independence and visitors were made to feel welcome to the service.

People received responsive care and detailed care plans were in place to guide staff. There was a varied activities programme in place and community events were planned. Complaints were taken seriously and monitored to prevent reoccurrence.

There was a positive culture within the service and people told us the registered manager was approachable. Quality assurance systems were in place to monitor the service provided and action was taken where any concerns were identified. People were able to contribute to the running of the service and regular feedback was sought. Records were well maintained and securely stored.

Further information is in the detailed findings below

We found people were involved in the planning and the delivery of their care and their opinions were regularly sought. We saw people had signed their care plans in order to provide their consent to their care and staff asked people's permission prior to delivering care. We saw the service had ensured risk assessments had been carried out for each person in order to ensure their care and welfare and that all staff had been trained in safeguarding. We found the service had appropriate systems in place to manage the storage, administration and disposal of medicines.

Every person we spoke with told us they liked their apartments very much and felt very safe at the home. Two people we spoke with told us they had used the emergency buzzers and that staff had arrived to help within seconds.

All the people we spoke with told us the food was good but sometimes not to their taste. They told us there was a good selection of foods should they not like their meal.

All the people we spoke with told us they would feel comfortable approaching the management if they had any concerns however one person told us they found it difficult to get hold of the appropriate person.

Two people we spoke with told us the staff were very good at promoting people's independence and keeping them mobile and self sufficient. One person we spoke with told us they thought the way the staff dealt with medication was 'atrocious'. They explained there had been problems with their prescription and receiving their medication on time. The other people we spoke with did not report any issues with their medication.