Figbury Lodge

Updated 18 May 2021

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.

As part of this inspection we looked at the infection control and prevention measures in place. This was conducted so we can understand the preparedness of the service in preventing or managing an infection outbreak, and to identify good practice we can share with other services.

Inspection team

The inspection was carried out by two inspectors who visited the home and an Expert by Experience who made calls to relatives. An Expert by Experience is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of care service.

Service and service type

Figbury 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 the information we held about the service. We sought feedback from the local authority and the clinical commissioning group service improvement team. 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 the service and made the judgements in this report. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with six people who used the service and eight relatives by telephone about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with 11 members of staff including the registered manager, deputy manager, team leaders, support workers, kitchen staff and the regional operations director.

We reviewed a range of records. This included eight people’s care records and daily monitoring charts. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures were reviewed.

After the inspection

We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We looked at training data and quality assurance records. We received feedback from six professionals who regularly visit the service.

Updated 18 May 2021

About the service

Figbury Lodge is a care home providing personal and nursing care to up to 80 older people, some of whom are living with dementia. The home had 20 transitional beds; this meant that people were admitted into the home temporarily following discharge from hospital. People living on the transitional unit had access to rehabilitation and therapists. There were 66 people living at the home at the time of inspection.

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

People and their relatives told us they were happy with the care at Figbury Lodge. Improvements had been made in all areas of the home and further improvements were planned. Infection prevention and control procedures were in place to keep people safe during the coronavirus pandemic. The home was clean and tidy.

People and their relatives were complimentary about the staff. One relative said, “I’ve never experienced anything other than kindness.” They told us communication with the home is good, especially during the times when visiting has been restricted. The home has tried in a variety of ways to keep people and their loved ones connected and a recent survey showed this had been appreciated.

Staff felt supported and had the necessary skills and experience to support and care for people. Staff told us they worked within a good team and felt the home had improved. People had care plans which were personalised to their needs. Regular reviews ensured people were involved. People knew how to make a complaint or raise a concern and, were confident it would be addressed in a timely and efficient manner.

Staff were described as kind and caring, including reception staff, kitchen staff, domestic support and care staff. One relative told us, “The staff have been absolutely superb.” Staff told us things had improved within the home and they felt proud to work at Figbury Lodge.

People had access to healthcare when needed and records showed input from a variety of professionals. Health and social care professionals who worked with the home were positive about their interactions.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice. People told us staff asked their consent. Staff understood the importance of gaining consent from people.

People, their relatives and staff were complimentary and had confidence in the management of the home. The registered manager and deputy manager were well thought of and known to be effective. A relative said, “I do think it’s well managed.”

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 requires improvement (published 18 March 2020) and there were multiple breaches of regulation. The provider completed an action plan after the last inspection to show what they would do and by when to improve. At this inspection we found improvements had been made and the provider was no longer in breach of regulations.

Why we inspected

We carried out an unannounced comprehensive inspection of this service on 31 January 2020, 3 February 2020 and 4 February 2020. Breaches of legal requirements were found. We carried out a focused inspection on 22 September 2020 and to follow up on a warning notice issued for the breaches in safe care and treatment and good governance. We found the provider no longer in breach of those regulations. The provider completed an action plan after the comprehensive inspection to show what they would do and by when to improve staffing, need for consent and person centred care.

We undertook this focused inspection to check they had followed their action plan and to confirm they now met legal requirements. This report only covers our findings in relation to the key questions effective, caring, responsive and well-led which contain those requirements. We looked at infection prevention and control measures under the safe key question. We look at this in all care home inspections even if no concerns or risks have been identified. This is to provide assurance that the service can respond to COVID-19 and other infection outbreaks effectively.

The ratings from the previous comprehensive inspection for those key questions not looked at on this occasion were used in calculating the overall rating at this inspection. The overall rating for the service has changed from requires improvement to good. This is based on the findings at this inspection.

You can read the report from our last comprehensive inspection, by selecting the ‘all reports’ link for Figbury Lodge on our website at www.cqc.org.uk.

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.