Hales Lodge

Updated 8 February 2022

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.

We received information of concern about COVID-19 related staffing pressures at this service. This was a targeted inspection looking at the infection prevention and control measures the provider has in place and whether staffing was having an impact on the service.

We found that, due to the registered manager and area manager having to cover care shifts, records were out of date or missing. Whilst people were being well cared for and prioritised, those that had dedicated one to one care commissioned by the local authority, were not fully receiving this due to staff shortages.

This inspection took place on 13 January 2022 and was unannounced. The inspection continued remotely until 20 January 2022 when feedback was given.

Updated 8 February 2022

About the service:

Hales Lodge is a registered care home and provides accommodation and support for up to eight people living with a learning disability. There were eight people living at the service when we visited.

The care service had been developed and designed in line with the values that underpin the Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. These values include choice, promotion of independence and inclusion. People with learning disabilities and autism using the service can live as ordinary a life as any citizen.

People’s experience of using this service:

¿ People had risk assessments in place to keep them safe and enable them to be as independent as possible. However, one person who was at risk of pressure sores did not have a risk assessment in place. We raised this with the management team who sent us a copy of a risk assessment and a care plan in relation to pressure area care, following our inspection.

¿ Relatives felt their family members were safe living at the service. Staff had received training to enable them to recognise signs and symptoms of abuse and they felt confident in how to report these types of concerns. There were sufficient staff with the correct skill mix on duty to support people with their required needs and keep them safe. Effective and safe recruitment processes were in place and consistently followed by the service.

¿ Medicines were managed safely. The processes in place ensured that the administration and handling of medicines was suitable for the people who used the service. Effective infection control measures were in place to protect people from the spread of infection.

¿ People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives as much as possible and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

¿ Staff received an induction and on-going training. They had attended a variety of training to ensure that they were able to provide care based on current practice when supporting people. They were also supported with regular supervisions.

¿ People were able to make choices about the food and drink they had, and staff gave support to people to eat a balanced diet.

¿ People were supported to access a variety of health professionals when required, to make sure that they received additional healthcare to meet their needs.

¿ Staff provided care and support in a caring and meaningful way. They knew the people who used the service well. People and relatives, where appropriate, were involved in the planning of their care and support.

¿ People’s privacy and dignity was maintained at all times. Support plans were written in a person-centred way and were responsive to people’s needs. People were supported to follow their interests and join in activities.

¿ People knew how to complain. There was a complaints procedure in place which was accessible to all.

¿ Quality monitoring systems were in place. A variety of audits were carried out and used to drive improvement.

¿ Rating at last inspection: Good (report published 04 April 2016)

¿ Why we inspected:

This was a planned inspection based on the rating at the last inspection. The overall rating for the service remained Good overall.

¿ Follow up:

We will continue to monitor the service through the information we receive until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If any concerning information is received we may inspect sooner.

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