Archived: Dunster Lodge Residential Home

Updated 17 June 2015

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

This inspection took place on 14 May 2015 and was unannounced. It was carried out by an adult social care inspector.

Before the inspection we reviewed the information we held about the service. This included previous inspection reports, statutory notifications (issues providers are legally required to notify us about) other enquiries from and about the provider and other key information we hold about the service. At the last inspection on 22 July 2014 the service was meeting the essential standards of quality and safety and no concerns were identified.

During this inspection we spoke with 12 people who lived at the home, one visitor, five members of staff and the registered provider. Throughout the day we observed care practices in communal areas and saw lunch being served in the dining room.

We looked at a number of records relating to individual care and the running of the home. These included three care plans, medication records, two staff personal files and health and safety records.

Updated 17 June 2015

This inspection was unannounced and took place on 14 May 2015.

Dunster Lodge Residential Home is registered to provide accommodation and personal care to up to 19 people. The home specialises in the care of older people. At the time of this inspection there were 15 people living at the home.

The last inspection of the home was carried out 22 July 2014. No concerns were identified with the care being provided to people at that inspection.

The registered provider took an active role in the running of the home. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

A new manager had started work in the home the week before this inspection took place. They had been able to shadow the previous manager for a week to get to know the home and provide continuity for people and staff.

We found that improvements were needed to make sure accurate records were kept. Records did not always give up to date information about the care people required or how decisions had been made when people were unable to make a decision for themselves. We have made a recommendation about supporting people who lack the mental capacity to make decisions.

Improvements were also needed to make sure there was an effective system in place to monitor the quality of the service provided and plan on-going improvements.

The registered provider and new manager told us their vision was to create a homely environment where people felt safe and well cared for. Staff were aware of this ethos and were committed to providing a service in line with it.

There were enough staff to meet people’s needs safely. People told us staff took time to support them with their care and they never felt rushed. One person told us “They are very busy but you never feel they are rushing you along.”

There was a robust recruitment procedure which made sure new staff were thoroughly checked and minimised the risks of abuse to people. Staff had opportunities to attend training which made sure they had up to date skills and knowledge to effectively support people.

There was a stable staff team at the home who knew people well. People said staff were kind and caring and they felt safe with the staff who supported them. People were able to make choices about all aspects of their day to day lives and could continue with their own personal routines. One person told us “You can do what you like here. I have my own little routines, they work around me.”

Each person had a single room which they had been able to personalise to their needs and tastes. People’s privacy was respected by staff. Visitors were made welcome and people were able to spend time with personal and professional visitors in communal areas or their personal rooms.

People’s nutritional needs were assessed to make sure they received a diet in line with their needs and wishes. People were able to choose where they ate their meals. There was no choice of main meal but people were complimentary about the food. Comments included; “I like the food” and “You don’t get a choice of food but it’s usually pretty good so it doesn’t matter.”

People had access to health care professionals according to their individual needs. Staff arranged for people to see appropriate healthcare professionals and assisted people to attend appointments outside the home. One person commented “They got the doctor when I was poorly. They didn’t hesitate so I got seen quickly.”

We found one breach of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014. You can see what action we told the provider to take at the back of the full version of this report.