Sovereign Lodge Care Home

Updated 2 December 2022

The inspection

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (the Act) as part of our regulatory functions. We checked whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act. We looked at the overall quality of the service and provided a rating for the service under the Health and Social Care Act 2008.

As part of this inspection we looked at the infection control and prevention measures in place. This was conducted so we can understand the preparedness of the service in preventing or managing an infection outbreak, and to identify good practice we can share with other services.

Inspection team

The inspection was carried out by 1 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.

Service and service type

Sovereign Lodge is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing and/or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement dependent on their registration with us. Sovereign Lodge is a care home without nursing care. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

Registered Manager

This provider is required to have a registered manager to oversee the delivery of regulated activities at this location. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Registered managers and providers are legally responsible for how the service is run, for the quality and safety of the care provided and compliance with regulations.

At the time of our inspection there was a registered manager in post.

Notice of inspection

This inspection was unannounced.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service. We contacted the local authority commissioning team and safeguarding team for their feedback about the service. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with 2 people and 8 relatives about their experience of the care provided. We observed interactions between staff and people in communal areas. We spoke with 7 members of staff including the registered manager, regional manager, senior carers, lifestyle and wellbeing manager, and care staff. We spoke with a visiting healthcare professional. We reviewed a range of records. This included 4 people's care records and multiple medication records. We looked at 2 staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures, were reviewed.

Updated 2 December 2022

About the service

Sovereign Lodge is a residential care home providing accommodation and personal care for up to 48 people across two separate wings in a purpose-built building. The service provides support to people living with dementia and those requiring support with personal care. At the time of our inspection there were 47 people using the service.

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

People were safe from the risk of abuse. Risks were assessed and regularly reviewed when people's needs changed. The building was well maintained with appropriate décor, including dementia friendly decorations.

Medicines were managed safely, however the recording of topical medicines was not in line with best practice. We have made a recommendation about this and the registered manager has confirmed improvements have been made.

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.

The provider employed sufficient staff , staff were trained appropriately and recruited safely. Staff worked effectively with visiting professionals and wore PPE to keep people safe. Infection control measures were in place, and visiting was managed safely.

Care records were person centred. People were supported to eat and drink a balanced diet.

Staff were caring and promoted people’s independence. People were treated with dignity and respect. People were supported to take part in activities and belong to the community of the service.

Staff were responsive to people’s needs. People were cared as they wished to be at the end of their lives.

Feedback from relatives about the service was very positive. Staff said the culture of the service was open and the provider was offering additional perks to attract more staff to work at the service. People and relatives were involved in their care decisions.

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

Rating at last inspection

This service was registered with us on 16 September 2022 and this is the first inspection. The service was previously registered as Sovereign Lodge and Court with the same provider and was rated good, published on 16 September 2019. The service has split in to two separate services.

Why we inspected

The inspection was prompted in part by notification of an incident following which a person using the service died. This incident is subject to further investigation by CQC as to whether any regulatory action should be taken. As a result, this inspection did not examine the circumstances of the incident. However, the information shared with CQC about the incident indicated potential concerns about the management of risk to people accessing timely health care. This inspection examined those risks.

We found no evidence during this inspection that people were at risk of harm from this concern. Please see the safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led sections of this full report.

Follow up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.