The inspection visit took place on the 22nd April 2015 and was unannounced.
Thornton Lodge is a care home for people living with dementia, situated on Trunnah Road in Thornton, near Blackpool. The home is registered for 11 people. The service is situated close to a bus route into Blackpool and Cleveleys and there are local shops within walking distance from the home. At the time of the inspection there were 11 people living at the home.
There was a registered manager in place. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.
At the last inspection on the 7th May 2013 the service was meeting the requirements of the regulations that were inspected at that time.
People who lived at the home and relatives told us they felt safe and secure living in a small home with staff to support them. We found people’s care and support needs had been assessed before they moved into the home. Care records we looked at contained details of people’s preferences, interests, likes and dislikes. Relatives we spoke with told us they had been consulted about their relative’s care and were informed of any changes that occurred.
Care records were up to date, informative, and reviewed on a regular basis. Care records of people who lived at the home demonstrated peoples risks were identified and reviewed to ensure they were up to date. Staff had a good understanding of people’s needs. One staff member said, “It is only a small home so we get to know people very well and spot any issues early.”
We observed staffing levels were sufficient to meet people’s needs and staff we spoke with were happy with the amount of staff available to support people. The registered manager had safeguarded people against unsuitable staff by following their recruitment policy and all checks were in place before staff started work.
Medication was administered and stored safely. At the time of the inspection no controlled drugs were being administered. However we noted systems and facilities were in place should they have to.
Training was an ongoing programme for staff members and staff we spoke with told us access to training courses was good. Staff told us they received regular supervision and appraisal to support them to carry out their roles and responsibilities and discuss training and any issues and their own personal development.
We observed staff assisting people at lunchtime to eat their meals. They were kind and patient, engaging with the person they were attending to in conversation and making the lunchtime meal a pleasant and relaxing time. Comments about the quality of food were good. One person who lived at the home said, “The food is good, hot and tasty.”
People who lived at the home were encouraged and supported to maintain relationships with their friends and family members. Relatives we spoke with told us they were always made welcome at any time.
The care plans we looked at were centred on people’s personal needs and wishes. Daily events that were important to people were detailed, so that staff could provide care to meet their needs and wishes. People we spoke with were confident that their care was provided in the way they wanted.
Staff were seen to organise meaningful activities designed to stimulate people living with dementia. For example in the afternoon staff and people who lived at the home were all playing with tambourines. They seemed to enjoy the sessions and we observed everybody joined in. One person said, “I enjoy the music playing.”
We found a number of audits were in place to monitor quality assurance. Records demonstrated identified issues were acted upon in order to make improvements. The registered manager and provider had systems in place to obtain the views of people who lived at the home and their relatives.
The inspection visit took place on the 22nd April 2015 and was unannounced.
Thornton Lodge is a care home for people living with dementia, situated on Trunnah Road in Thornton, near Blackpool. The home is registered for 11 people. The service is situated close to a bus route into Blackpool and Cleveleys and there are local shops within walking distance from the home. At the time of the inspection there were 11 people living at the home.
There was a registered manager in place. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.
At the last inspection on the 7th May 2013 the service was meeting the requirements of the regulations that were inspected at that time.
People who lived at the home and relatives told us they felt safe and secure living in a small home with staff to support them. We found people’s care and support needs had been assessed before they moved into the home. Care records we looked at contained details of people’s preferences, interests, likes and dislikes. Relatives we spoke with told us they had been consulted about their relative’s care and were informed of any changes that occurred.
Care records were up to date, informative, and reviewed on a regular basis. Care records of people who lived at the home demonstrated peoples risks were identified and reviewed to ensure they were up to date. Staff had a good understanding of people’s needs. One staff member said, “It is only a small home so we get to know people very well and spot any issues early.”
We observed staffing levels were sufficient to meet people’s needs and staff we spoke with were happy with the amount of staff available to support people. The registered manager had safeguarded people against unsuitable staff by following their recruitment policy and all checks were in place before staff started work.
Medication was administered and stored safely. At the time of the inspection no controlled drugs were being administered. However we noted systems and facilities were in place should they have to.
Training was an ongoing programme for staff members and staff we spoke with told us access to training courses was good. Staff told us they received regular supervision and appraisal to support them to carry out their roles and responsibilities and discuss training and any issues and their own personal development.
We observed staff assisting people at lunchtime to eat their meals. They were kind and patient, engaging with the person they were attending to in conversation and making the lunchtime meal a pleasant and relaxing time. Comments about the quality of food were good. One person who lived at the home said, “The food is good, hot and tasty.”
People who lived at the home were encouraged and supported to maintain relationships with their friends and family members. Relatives we spoke with told us they were always made welcome at any time.
The care plans we looked at were centred on people’s personal needs and wishes. Daily events that were important to people were detailed, so that staff could provide care to meet their needs and wishes. People we spoke with were confident that their care was provided in the way they wanted.
Staff were seen to organise meaningful activities designed to stimulate people living with dementia. For example in the afternoon staff and people who lived at the home were all playing with tambourines. They seemed to enjoy the sessions and we observed everybody joined in. One person said, “I enjoy the music playing.”
We found a number of audits were in place to monitor quality assurance. Records demonstrated identified issues were acted upon in order to make improvements. The registered manager and provider had systems in place to obtain the views of people who lived at the home and their relatives.