Horsell Lodge

Horsell Lodge is a residential care home that can provide personal care and accommodation up to 70 people aged 65 and over. At the time of this inspection they were accommodating 20 people. Only the ground floor was occupied at the time of the inspection. The first floor communal area was being used as an additional activities area.

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

Staff supported people to follow interests and created activities to match people’s hobbies. People received person-centred care that had been thoughtfully tailored to each person’s individual needs.

Relatives, where appropriate, were involved in sharing details about people to ensure staff knew people on a personal level and details about their life histories and interests.

People were supported by kind and caring staff who treated them with respect and as individuals.

People were kept safe from the risk of harm and were supported with their medicines by well-trained and competent staff. Staff had been safely recruited and completed all mandatory induction processes and training.

People received a good standard of food and drinks. Staff also monitored nutrition and hydration when necessary, and referrals to specialists were made when appropriate in a timely way.

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.

The registered manager and the staffing team knew their responsibilities and worked well with health and social care professionals.

People were confident to raise any concerns and staff were knowledgeable in the appropriate processes to follow to support people.

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk

Rating at last inspection

This service was registered with us on 30/10/2019 and this is the first inspection.

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection based on being an unrated service.

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.

We found the following examples of good practice.

• The premises were clean and well maintained. Additional cleaning schedules had been introduced since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic. High touch areas such as door handles, and light switches were cleaned throughout the day. Hand sanitiser was readily available throughout the premises.

• There were trollies stocked with personal protective equipment (PPE) stationed around the home and each person had their own clinical waste bin to support the safe disposal of PPE worn by staff. Those who tested positive had their crockery washed in a separate dish washing area. Their clothes and bed linen were washed in a designated washing machine.

• There was a dedicated staff entrance where staff recorded their temperatures as soon as they came into the building. They donned and doffed their uniform in a separate changing room and all staff uniforms were washed on site.

• Staff accessed weekly testing. People who used the service were also supported to access weekly testing.

• Staff supported people to remain in contact with their families in line with government guidance.

• All staff had received recent training in infection control and prevention (IPC) and were seen to be following correct IPC practices at all times.

• The registered manager was visible and supported staff on the floor. They were the designated IPC lead and shared all current policy government updates with staff and family members.

• The registered manager sought support and advice from external agencies including the local health protection team, Surrey County Council and CQC and was open to all advice and guidance offered.