Archived: Sutton Hall and Lodge

Updated 2 August 2018

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection checked whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

We inspected on 21 and 22 June 2018. This was an unannounced inspection. We told the provider we would be visiting on day two. The inspection team consisted of one inspector and an assistant inspector on both days. In addition a specialist professional advisor (SPA) who was a nurse supported the inspection on day one.

Before the inspection we reviewed all the information we held about the service. This included information we received from safeguarding and statutory notifications since the last inspection. We sought feedback from the commissioners of the service prior to our visit. The registered provider also completed a provider information return (PIR). This is information we require providers to send us at least once annually to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. All this information helped us plan the inspection.

We spoke with three people and nine of their relatives. We spent time in the communal areas and observed how staff interacted with people and some people showed us their bedrooms. We used the Short Observational Framework for Inspection (SOFI). SOFI is a way of observing care to help us understand the experience of people who could not talk with us.

We had conversations with the registered manager, deputy manager and 10 members of staff, including senior care worker, nurses, the chef, the administrator, activities worker and care workers. In addition, we spoke with two visiting professionals during the inspection.

During the inspection we reviewed a range of records. This included six people’s care records, such as care planning documentation and medication records. We looked at five staff files, including staff recruitment and training records, records relating to the management of the home and a variety of policies and procedures developed and implemented by the registered provider.

Updated 2 August 2018

We inspected on 21 and 22 June 2018. The inspection was unannounced on the first day and we told the provider we would be visiting on the second day.

Sutton Hall and 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.

Up to 60 older people can be accommodated over two floors. The ground floor supported people who may be living with dementia. Nursing care was available on both floors. 41 people used the service when we visited.

The service had a registered manager in place who was new in post since our last inspection. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission 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.

People, their relatives and the staff we spoke with all felt the service had improved. They described the registered managers approach as positive and open. They told us the good leadership by the registered manager had improved quality and safety. Staff felt supported and morale was good. Training for staff was overall good. A definite team approach was seen which made people feel happy and well cared for.

Appropriate checks were completed by the registered manager and provider to ensure safety and quality. This included seeking feedback from people and their relatives and using information when concerns were raised positively. If things could be better the registered manager implemented actions to ensure continuous improvement.

We saw systems were safe in areas such as medicines, health and safety and risk management. We made a recommendation that the provider review the tool they use to understand the number of staff required. This was to ensure enough staff were available to support people with complex needs living with dementia.

We made a recommendation that staff receive more training around how to deal with people who display anxiety and or distress. In addition that a new care plan format be devised to help staff understand how to intervene in such situations.

Recruitment of the providers permanent staff was safe. Where agency workers were used the registered manager had not ensured appropriate information was received from the agency. This was something the registered manager dealt with during the inspection.

Positive change continued to be introduced by the provider, for example an electronic care plan system which will enable better review of people’s health, wellbeing and experience 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, the policies and systems in the service supported this practice. Relatives told us they were fully involved in developing the care and support for their family member. People felt staff knew them well and used this information to support them in a person-centred way.

People had access to appropriate healthcare support and the team had good links with healthcare professionals. Positive initiatives had been introduced around hydration and pressure area care which meant people had maintained good health. Where people living with dementia required additional support to access health care this was supported if needed. People were supported with palliative care in conjunction with healthcare professionals to ensure they were pain free and comfortable.

Everyone we spoke with said they felt safe, well cared for and were positive about the service. They were treated with kindness and respect. They felt staff were well trained to provide effective support. Staff were aware of what good care looks like and through positive leadership had been supported to continue to improve their approach.

People who chose to join in the activities on offer felt they were good and meaningful. There were plans to develop care workers skills to enable them to use everyday tasks as meaningful interactions. The environment was being renovated to provide a more dementia friendly space.