Napier Lodge Limited

Updated 24 March 2020

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.

Inspection team

This inspection was carried out by one inspector.

Service and service type

Napier 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 reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We sought feedback from the local authority and Healthwatch Blackpool. Healthwatch Blackpool is an independent consumer champion for health and social care. The provider was not asked to complete a provider information return prior to this inspection. This is information we require providers to send us to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We took this into account when we inspected Napier Lodge and made the judgements in this report. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke about Napier Lodge with three people, a relative, three staff and two members of the management team. We walked around the building to carry out a visual check. We did this to ensure Napier Lodge was clean, hygienic and a safe place for people to live.

We looked at records related to the management of the service. We did this to ensure the provider had oversight of the home, responded to any concerns and led Napier Lodge in ongoing improvements. We checked care records of one person and looked at staffing levels, recruitment procedures and training provision.

Updated 24 March 2020

About the service

Napier Lodge Limited is a care home providing personal care to 15 older people at the time of our inspection. The service can support up to 17 people in single bedrooms. Accommodation is provided over two floors with lift access. There are sufficient bathing facilities and communal areas, including a small lounge to offer private meetings. Napier Lodge Limited will be referred to as Napier Lodge within this report.

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

The registered manager developed safe systems to ensure people received their medication as prescribed. People said they felt safe and comfortable. One person told us, “They don’t let you get in the lift alone in case it breaks down, it keeps me safe.” The registered manager had sufficiently skilled numbers of staff. They had a good understanding of protecting people from harm or abuse.

The provider had an extensive training programme to develop their staff. A relative commented, “Staff are wonderful and really experienced.” The registered manager monitored people against the risk of malnutrition. 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. Staff helped people to make their day-to-day decisions.

The registered manager placed people and their relatives at the heart of their care planning in the delivery of personalised care. One person said staff were responsive to their preferences. They added, “I get my special cappuccino in my special mug.” The provider’s core values centred on optimising people’s human rights and guiding staff to respect their individuality.

The registered manager assessed people’s needs and created care plans with them to meet their individual requirements. The registered manager had a programme of activities for each person’s stimulation. One individual stated, “There’s plenty to do here for my needs.”

The provider promoted inclusive, transparent care delivery to optimise people’s experiences. One person stated, “[The registered manager] is fantastic. Their kindness is the most essential thing to me.” The registered manager audited service delivery as part of their quality assurance oversight.

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 good (published 05 August 2017).

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.