Background to this inspection
Updated
1 March 2019
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. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.
Inspection team: Day one of this inspection was conducted by one adult social care inspector and two Expert by Experience. Day two was conducted by one adult social care inspector. An expert by experience is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of care service.
The service had a manager registered with CQC. This means 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: Day one of this inspection was unannounced whilst day two was announced.
What we did: Our plan took into account information the provider had sent us since the last inspection. We considered information about incidents the provider must notify us about, such as abuse; and we looked at issues raised in complaints and how the service responded to them. We assessed information we require the provider to send to us at least annually within their provider information return (PIR). This provides key information about the service, what the service does well and the improvements they plan to make. We also obtained information from the local authority commissioners and safeguarding team. We used all this information to plan our inspection.
During the inspection we spoke with 15 people using the service and three family members to ask about their experience of care. We also spoke with the registered manager, care manager, administrative assistant and four care staff.
We looked at four people’s care records and a selection of other records including those related to medicine administration, recruitment and the safety and quality monitoring of this service.
Details are in our Key Questions below. This report includes information provided by both expert by experience.
Updated
1 March 2019
About the service: St Helens Hall and Lodge provides residential care for older people; some of which are living with the dementia. The home has two units, The Lodge and The Hall, both of which are based over two floors. At the time of our inspection 83 people were receiving support.
People’s experience of using this service:
The management team and staff at St Helens Hall and Lodge created a warm, calm and friendly atmosphere for people and visitors. Positive comments were received regarding the caring approach of the staff team and how well they knew the people's needs. Strong, familiar and positive relationships had been developed between staff and people living in the home and their family members.
Staff were motivated to deliver care that was person-centred and based on people’s needs and preferences. People were treated with kindness, compassion and respect and staff interacted well with people. Techniques were used by staff to help relax people with positive outcomes. People were encouraged and supported to be as independent as possible.
People told us they felt safe living in the home and family members were confident their loved ones were well looked after and safe. Family members told us they had peace of mind knowing they did not need to worry about their relatives. Risks people faced were assessed and those identified were safely managed. Medicines were managed safely. People told us they received their medication at the right time. Staff showed a good understanding of their roles and responsibilities of keeping people safe from harm. The environment was safe and people had access to appropriate equipment where needed.
Enough suitably qualified and skilled staff were deployed to meet people’s needs. Staff received a range of training and support appropriate to their role and people’s needs. Staff told us they received a good level of support from the management team and were encouraged to develop within their roles.
People’s needs and choices had been assessed and planned for and care plans identified intended outcomes for people and how they were to be met in a way they preferred. People told us they received the right care and support and felt staff were well trained and competent. People received personalised care and support which reflected their care plan. People were encouraged and supported to eat and drink well and supported to access health care when needed. People were offered choice and control and where able consented to their care and support. Where people lacked capacity to make their own decisions they were made in their best interests in line with the Mental Capacity Act.
The leadership of the service promoted a positive culture that was person-centred and inclusive. People, family members and staff all described the registered manager as approachable, supportive and always visible around the home. The passion, knowledge and experience held by the management team helped to create a relaxed environment for everyone. The management team showed a desire to improve on the service and were continuously looking at ways to do this. Effective systems were in place to check the quality and safety of the service and improvements were made when required.
Rating at last inspection: This was the first inspection of the service since being newly registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in February 2018.
Why we inspected: This was a planned comprehensive inspection.
Follow up: We will continue to monitor intelligence we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If any concerning information is received we may inspect sooner.