Background to this inspection
Updated
7 February 2019
The inspection:
We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection checked 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.
Inspection team:
The inspection team consisted of an inspector and an expert by experience. An expert by experience is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of care service. Our expert by experience’s area of expertise was the care of older people.
This service was selected to be part of our national review, looking at the quality of oral health care support for people living in care homes. The inspection team also included a dental inspector who looked in detail at how well the service supported people with their oral health. This includes support with oral hygiene and access to dentists. We will publish our national report of our findings and recommendations in 2019.
Service and service type:
Egerton Lodge is a care home. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.
The service had a manager registered with the Care Quality Commission. This means that they and the provider are legally responsible for how the service is run and for the quality and safety of the care provided.
Notice of inspection:
The inspection was unannounced.
What we did:
We reviewed the information we held about the service. This included information received from the provider about deaths, accidents/incidents and safeguarding alerts which they are required to send us by law. We used information the provider sent us in the Provider Information Return. This is information we require providers to send us at least once annually to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make.
During the inspection visit we spoke with seven people using the service and one relative. We also spoke with the registered manager, deputy manager, a visiting healthcare professional, two care workers, the activities co-ordinator, the cook, the maintenance person, and a visiting hairdresser.
We looked at two people’s care records. We also looked at other records relating to the management of the service including staffing, quality assurance, and accidents/incidents.
Updated
7 February 2019
What life is like for people using this service:
People felt safe at the home. They said the quality of the care, the presence of staff, and the environment made them feel safe. The home was well-staffed and the staff responded quickly if people used their call bells. People said they had their medicines safely and at the right time. All areas of the home were clean and fresh.
People were assessed before they came to the home to ensure staff could meet their needs. The staff were skilled and experienced. We saw staff assist people in communal areas and this was always done gently and efficiently. At lunch time people were seen to enjoy their meals at their own pace. Staff assisted people who needed support to eat. People told us they had good access to healthcare services. A visiting healthcare professional said people’s healthcare needs were met at the home. The premises were well-maintained and suitable for their purpose. People chose the décor for their own bedrooms which were personalised to suit their individual tastes.
People told us the staff were ‘marvellous’, ‘very caring’ and ‘approachable and professional’. We saw many examples of staff interacting with people in a friendly manner. People told us that if they were ever worried or upset staff comforted them. The routine in the home was relaxed and flexible to meet people’s needs. People said staff consulted them about getting up and going to bed times and when they wanted their meals. People were encouraged to remain independent. Visitors were made welcome at the home at any time.
Staff knew people well and were knowledgeable about their needs. Care plans included clear instructions to staff on how to support people in the way they wanted. People had access to a wide range of one-to-one and group activities. We saw people taking part in a game of seated bowls and an armchair exercise class. People said they also enjoyed the home's visiting entertainers, coach trips, and the religious services held at the home.
People told us the home provided high-quality care and said they would recommend it to others. The home had an open and friendly culture and people said the registered manager and deputy were helpful and accessible. People shared their experiences of the home at residents’ meetings and their suggestions were acted on. For example, tea urns and a bird table were purchased at their request. The home had links with organisations in the community to support staff in meeting people’s care and social needs including dementia services, a nursery school, and local churches.
More Information is in the detailed findings below.
Rating at last inspection: Good (report published on 26 May 2016)
About the service: Egerton Lodge is a care home that provides accommodation for up to 46 older people with dementia, mental health, physical disability and old age. The home is not registered to provide nursing care. At the time of our inspection there were 43 people using the service.
Why we inspected: This was a planned inspection based on the rating at the last inspection.
Follow up: We will continue to monitor the service through information we receive until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If any concerning information is received we may inspect sooner.