17 July 2012
During an inspection in response to concerns
People using the service understood the care and treatment choices available to them. Staff encouraged people to express their preferences for how their care and support was to be provided.
The people we spoke with were satisfied that their personal care needs were being met, although several people thought they would be better stimulated by the provision of more regular activities. One of the people accommodated said, "Nothing to occupy our minds. You just sit here until you go to bed." The manager confirmed that additional activities would be included in the programme over a period of time. She explained that Debrook Lodge was a new home and the priority had been to get the personal care right for the people living there. The activities programme was work in progress and this would be extended to accommodate the needs and aspirations of the people accommodated.
Three people told us that staff were busy and on occasion they had to wait for staff assistance. They felt that more staff were needed in order to provide assistance in a timely manner. One person commented, "Not enough staff. They haven't time to sit and talk with you." The manager confirmed that 4 new members of care staff had been recruited and would be appointed to their posts once satisfactory recruitment checks had been obtained.
Medicines were being safely administered by staff and the people accommodated were confident that staff knew how to safeguard their health and welfare.