Carmen Lodge

Updated 1 September 2023

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.

Inspection team

This inspection was carried out by 1 inspector.

Service and service type

Carmen Lodge Care Home 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. Carmen Lodge Care Home 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 used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return (PIR). This is information providers are required to send us annually with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make.

During the inspection

We spoke with 3 people who used the service and 2 family members about their experience of the care provided. We also received feedback about the service from 6 members of staff including the registered manager and care staff. We reviewed a range of records. This included 6 people’s care plans and risk assessments, 3 peoples medicines administration records (MAR charts), 6 recruitment records and 2 quality audits such as medicines and health and safety audits.

Updated 1 September 2023

About the service

Carmen Lodge is a 'residential care home'. The service provides accommodation and support with personal care for up to 11 adults with mental health conditions. At the time of our inspection, 11 people were using the service.

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

People were protected from the risk of abuse and neglect. Risks to people's health and safety were assessed appropriately for people who used the service. The provider ensured that there were enough, appropriately trained and skilled staff to keep people safe.

The home had a good system in place for managing people’s medicines. The home was clean and tidy, and measures had been taken to reduce the risk of the spread of infections. The provider ensured that there were systems in place for learning from accidents and incidents to prevent recurrence.

People received care from staff in accordance with their needs assessments whilst protecting their rights and freedoms. Staff received training and were supervised appropriately. People received guidance and support to follow a balanced and healthy diet.

Staff supported people to receive external healthcare support when required. Staff followed advice and guidance from people’s health and social care professionals.

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. We saw that people’s care plans were person centred and audits were being completed by the service.

The registered manager was supported by a deputy manager as well as senior staff within the home to maintain safety and provide the right care and support for people within the home. The registered manager understood the regulatory requirements of their role.

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 inspection for this service was rated good (published 10 November 2017).

Why we inspected

This inspection was prompted by a review of the information we held about this service.

You can read the report from our last comprehensive inspection, by selecting the 'all reports' link for Carmen Lodge on our website

Follow up

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