Lancaster Grange

Updated 18 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.

As part of CQC’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic we are looking at how services manage infection control and visiting arrangements. This was a targeted inspection looking at the infection prevention and control measures the provider had in place. We also asked the provider about any staffing pressures the service was experiencing and whether this was having an impact on the service.

This inspection took place on 21 January 2022 and was announced. We gave the provider 20 hours’ notice of the inspection.

Updated 18 February 2022

About the service

Lancaster Grange is a residential care home providing personal and nursing care to 35 people aged 65 and over at the time of the inspection. The service can support up to 60 people.

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

There were systems in place to keep people safe from the risk of abuse. People and relatives felt the service was safe. Staff understood how to recognise and report concerns or abuse. There were enough staff to keep people safe and meet their needs. People’s needs were assessed, and any risks associated with health conditions documented. Risks associated with the service environment were assessed and mitigated. People received their prescribed medicines safely. People were protected from the risk of acquiring infections and the service was clean. Accidents and incidents were reviewed and monitored to identify trends and to prevent reoccurrences.

People's needs were assessed with them prior to moving into the service. The provider ensured staff had training and support to develop their personal care skills. People were supported to maintain a healthy balanced diet and to eat and drink well. People were supported by staff to access healthcare services when required. The provider had taken steps to ensure the environment was suitable for people's needs.

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 using the service were supported by staff who cared for them and treated them with respect. Staff had the information they needed to provide individualised care and support. People were encouraged to make decisions regarding their day to day routines and express their views about their personal preferences. People’s care was provided in ways which promoted their dignity and respected their independence.

People were regularly asked for their views about their care. People’s care plans were detailed, containing information about how they liked to be supported, and their daily routines and preferences. People were given information about their care in accessible formats where they wanted this. People were supported to maintain their interests and take part in activities that were important and enjoyable for them. The provider had a system in place to respond to complaints and concerns. People and their relatives were encouraged to talk about their wishes regarding care towards the end of their lives.

The provider did not have a registered manager in post, and had not had one since January 2019. The provider and manager undertook audits of all aspects of the service to review the quality of care. Staff were motivated and proud to work for the service. The provider and manager had systems in place to ensure compliance with duty of candour. The provider regularly sought the views of people, relatives and staff regarding the quality of the service. The manager and provider worked in partnership with outside agencies to improve people’s care. People were supported to maintain contact with their family, friends and local community.

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

Rating at last inspection

The last rating for this service was Inadequate (published 14 August 2019 and there were multiple breaches of regulations. We issued the provider with two Warning Notices to comply with Regulations 12 (Safe care and treatment) and 18 (Staffing). 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.

This service has been in Special Measures since August 2019. During this inspection the provider demonstrated that improvements have been made. The service is no longer rated as inadequate overall or in any of the key questions. Therefore, this service is no longer in Special Measures.

Why we inspected

This inspection was carried out to follow up on action we told the provider to take at the last inspection. At our last inspection, we served the provider with two Warning Notices. This was in relation to breaches of regulations 12 (Safe care and treatment) and 18 (Staffing). We found the provider had taken appropriate action to address the issues found on our last inspection.

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.