We carried out a review of the data available to us about Approach Lodge on 6 July 2023. We have not found evidence that we need to carry out an inspection or reassess our rating at this stage.
This could change at any time if we receive new information. We will continue to monitor data about this service.
If you have concerns about Approach Lodge, you can give feedback on this service.
Approach Lodge accommodates people in one building across four floors, with each person having their own bedroom and en-suite bathroom. There is also a communal living and dining room, a main kitchen and access to a small outside smoking area.
We found the following examples of good practice.
There were clear procedures in place to ensure visitors could enter the home safely, with a requirement to complete a screening questionnaire and to provide a negative lateral flow device (LFD) COVID-19 test before entering the home.
People and their relatives were given information about visiting and were kept updated about any changes in visiting procedures in the home. Staff discussed COVID-19 with people on a regular basis and shared important information and reminders during daily house meetings. People were encouraged and supported to better understand the risks related to COVID-19 and to keep safe when they went outside.
The service was taking part in regular COVID-19 testing for people and staff in line with current guidance. The provider was aware of recently updated testing guidance and had discussed this with staff to ensure they were all aware of the new testing regime and how they needed to report their test results.
The home had a plentiful supply of personal protective equipment (PPE). Staff had ongoing IPC training and we observed staff following best practice during the inspection. One staff member said, "We have watched the donning and doffing videos and regularly discuss this as a team. We always remind each other about this."
The home was clean and hygienic and there were clear guidelines for staff to follow to ensure cleaning schedules were followed. This included a separate COVID-19 cleaning rota with additional and enhanced cleaning procedures for high touch points in communal areas.
Staff told us they felt well supported in their role and had been kept regularly updated with any changes throughout the pandemic. Staff confirmed there were regular discussions in daily handovers, team meetings and supervisions where they could raise any concerns. One staff member said, "We have a good team and the manager is always here to support us and has always been available."
The registered manager told us they had been well supported by the provider and the local authority since the start of the pandemic. We saw monthly team meetings always covered COVID-19 updates and the provider had also given staff a pay award in recognition of their hard work. The registered manager had also carried out a recent IPC audit on 22 January 2022 which was aligned with the CQC IPC guidance for care homes to ensure the home was following best practice.
Approach Lodge is a small residential care home providing personal care for up seven adults with mental health needs. At the time of our inspection seven people were living in the service.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
People received outstanding support to help manage their mental health conditions and this had an extremely positive impact on their health and wellbeing. Relatives and health and social care professionals praised the support from the staff team and how it had made a difference in improving people’s lives.
People were supported to a range of healthcare appointments and staff followed up any issues or concerns. Health and social care professionals were confident with the knowledge and experience of the staff team.
People were supported by staff who had a good understanding of their needs and behaviours and knew how to keep them safe.
We observed positive interactions between people and staff throughout the inspection, with staff creating a kind and caring environment.
People were encouraged to be part of their local community and were supported to attend day centres and local activities to improve their wellbeing. People were supported to maintain relationships with their family and friends.
People’s language and cultural needs were accommodated and staff had a good understanding of how people liked to be supported. People were fully involved in how they received their care.
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.
People were cared for by a dedicated staff team who felt appreciated and valued in their role. Staff spoke positively about the strength of teamwork and the supportive environment that had helped people to manage their mental health effectively.
The Secretary of State has asked the Care Quality Commission (CQC) to conduct a thematic review and to make recommendations about the use of restrictive interventions in settings that provide care for people with or who might have mental health problems, learning disabilities and/or autism. Thematic reviews look in-depth at specific issues concerning quality of care across the health and social care sectors. They expand our understanding of both good and poor practice and of the potential drivers of improvement.
As part of thematic review, we carried out a survey with the registered manager at this inspection. This considered whether the service used any restrictive intervention practices (restraint, seclusion and segregation) when supporting people.
The service used positive behaviour support principles to support people in the least restrictive way. No restrictive intervention practices were used.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at last inspection
The last rating for this service was Good (published 23 March 2017). Since this rating was awarded, the registered provider has altered its legal entity. We have used the previous rating to inform our planning and decisions about the rating at this inspection.
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.
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.