Elpha Lodge Residential Care Home

On this page

• Overview
• Person-centred Care
• Care provision, Integration and continuity
• Providing Information
• Listening to and involving people
• Equity in access
• Equity in experiences and outcomes
• Planning for the future

People received person centred care. Continuity of care was maintained with enough dedicated, trained staff. People were provided with information in a way to help them understand. There was an open-door policy to ensure people and relatives were listened to. Everyone received equal access to treatment, including when planning for future events and changes in people’s health and wellbeing.

This service scored 75 (out of 100) for this area. Find out what we look at when we assess this area and How we calculate these scores.

People received person centred care. People’s individuality was respected and they were kept informed and involved in their own care planning. Care plans had recently changed to electronic system. The management team stated these were also available in printed format to share with people.

Staff were clear about individual, personalised support that each person required. Their needs and preferences were set out in care plans. Staff confirmed they had access to care plans to read. One staff commented, “WE get to know people well. If I have seen a change or difference in people, I report it to the senior staff.”

We completed a number of SOFI observations throughout the inspection. SOFI is a way of observing care over a designated period of time to support the inspection. It is mainly used with people who find it difficult to express their views of care or treatment, for example, for those people living with dementia. During observations we observed positive interactions between staff and people.

People told us they could access the care they needed. They said they had no issues.

Staff told us people's individual diverse needs were met. Staff held handover sessions at the start of every shift to ensure continuity of care was maintained.

External healthcare professionals felt staff actively engaged in joined up working with others to ensure people received good quality and continuity of care. One healthcare professional said, “I found the manager very accommodating” and “The manager described to me how Elpha had other residents in similar position and the staff respected their need for privacy but also understood the complex care needs of this person.”

Processes were in place to monitor care provision and continuity of care. Care records showed evidence of involvement with outside professionals. Referrals had been made to a range of external professionals, including Speech and Language Therapy Teams, Physiotherapists and occupational therapists.

People had an information guide about the service that included their rights, access to facilities and the aims and values of the service. The guide promoted their involvement and individuality.

Staff supported people to understand any information presented to them or their families. Care plans had recently changed to electronic system. The management team stated these were also available in printed format to share with people.

Processes were in place to provide information to people, families, staff and external colleagues. People had communication care plans which identified any specific needs they had so that staff could provide information in a way they understood. Policies and procedures were on display, including complaints procedures. Other information was available, including a list of staff.

People were listened to and involved in the running of the service. One relative said, “There is always a good exchange of views. I trust the core staff explicitly.” Other relatives confirmed individual family meetings had taken place. People said they were encouraged to be involved in their own care planning and decision-making. One person commented, “I ask for things to be put in my care plan and it gets sorted.” People held their own Residents’ Meetings, and this was chaired by one of the residents. The minutes were shared with the management team for attention and action.

Staff were asked for feedback in a variety of ways, management held regular team meetings in order to review peoples care needs and gather feedback. Staff received annual appraisals as well as being able to share their thoughts and ideas for improvement during one-to-one support sessions.

Processes were in place to ensure people were listened to and involved. This included regular reviews, meetings and questionnaires sent out. Any issues arising from these were addressed by the management team.

People had equity in access. People made positive comments about the accessibility of the accommodation and service they receive. People were able to make very favourable comparisons with other services they had experienced and said Elpha Lodge was more attuned to their individual requirements, age and lifestyle. People were able to continue to celebrate the religion of their choice. One relative said “The Priest comes in to give them holy communion.”

Staff told us people were able to access care and support to enhance their wellbeing. Staff said people were the decision-makers about their care and flexible daily routines. Staff commented on the good range of mobility equipment available in the home for people to use.

External professionals did not raise any concerns about equity in access for people who lived at the service.

Processes were in place to ensure people had equal access to care and support. Staff received equality and diversity training to support this. Policies and procedures were in place to support staff.

People were treated fairly and had not experienced any discrimination. Relatives could discuss any issues with staff relating to care being delivered, particularly if they thought care could be better provided in a different way.

Staff told us that people who were at risk of inequalities in care were identified and they ensured appropriate support was in place for them. Where people were not always able to freely express their views, staff would make changes in response to their reactions. For example, where people had little or no verbal communication, staff adapted their communication approach and style in line with individual needs.

Processes were in place to ensure there was equity in experiences and outcomes. Staff consistently reviewed people’s needs to promote positive experiences and outcomes.

People were able to plan for the future. This included documenting how they should be cared for at the end of their life or if they should loose capacity to make decisions for themselves. One relative said, “When my [relative] still had capacity, we planned everything for her decline in health and it is all written down and known to the care home.”

The registered manager and staff confirmed no person was receiving end of life care. Staff had completed end of life awareness training to support them if the need came to care for those at the end stages of their lives.

Processes were in place to plan for the future. End of life care plans were in place for those people who wished to have one and where this was not the case, this was revisited regularly. Where appropriate, 'Do Not Attempt Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation DNACPR were in place. A DNACPR is a decision made when it is not in a person's best interest to resuscitate them if their heart should stop beating suddenly and is signed off by a suitably qualified healthcare professional. Some people had emergency health care plans in place to avoid going to hospital in certain circumstances.