Archived: Heath Lodge Care Services Limited

Updated 1 March 2019

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. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations under the Act, 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 was carried out by one inspector and two experts 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: Heath Lodge Care Services Limited are a domiciliary care agency (DCA). At the time of this inspection 24 people lived on site. Eight people received ‘personal care’ from the service. CQC only inspects the service being received by people provided with ‘personal care’; help with tasks related to personal hygiene and eating. Where they do we also take into account any wider social care provided. The service had a manager registered with the CQC. This means 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: We gave the service 72 hours' notice of the inspection visit because we needed to be sure the management would be in the office. We visited the office on 08 February 2019 to see the registered manager and to look at the records.

What we did: We reviewed information we had received about the service. This included details about incidents the provider must notify us about and we sought feedback from the local authority and health professionals who worked with the service. We used information the provider sent us in the Provider Information Return [PIR]. 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.

Before the inspection: We obtained feedback from two professionals; a senior social worker and an assistant care manager.

During the inspection: We reviewed three peoples care records, medication records and risk assessments. Reviewed staff recruitment, training and supervision records for three staff. Reviewed records of accidents, incidents, complaints and compliments, audits, quality assurance reports and surveys. We spoke with the nominated individual, operational manager, registered manager, a senior care manager, a care manager and two care staff. The experts by experience telephoned and spoke with eight people using the service and two relatives’.

Updated 1 March 2019

About the service:

Heath Lodge Care Services Limited provides care and support to people living in a setting called 'extra care' housing. Extra care housing is purpose-built or adapted single household accommodation in a shared site or building. The accommodation is bought or rented, and is the occupant's own home. People's care and housing are provided under separate contractual agreements. Heath Lodge Care Services Limited also provided and organised activities for people. The development had communal areas such as a lounge, restaurant and hairdressers which people could use.

We found the service met the characteristics of a "Good" rating in all areas; more information is available in the full report.

People’s experience of using this service:

• People told us they received safe care. They were supported by consistent and suitably trained staff. People received support to take their medicines safely and as prescribed. Risks to people's well-being and environmental safety were recorded and updated when the circumstances changed. The lessons were learnt where appropriate to improve the service further.

• People's rights to make their own decisions were respected. They were supported to access health services if needed. People's dietary needs were assessed and where required people were supported with their meals.

• People received caring and compassionate support from the staff. The management team led by example and staff referred to people in a caring way. People were complimentary about staff and about positive, caring relationships they were able to form with the staff. Staff respected people's privacy and dignity and people were supported to be as independent as possible.

• Care plans contained person-centred details about people's relationships and how they would like their support provided. People were reminded about upcoming events and supported to attend these. People knew how to complain and told us where they raised concerns the management acted promptly to address these.

• The service was well-led by a dedicated management team who demonstrated compassion and commitment to the needs of the people who used the service as well as the staff who worked for them. The management team worked professionally with agencies outside of the service and ensured a transparent, honest and open approach to their work which was valued by others. The provider had a quality assurance system in place and there was a focus on further development.

Rating at last inspection:

This service was registered by Care Quality Commission (CQC) on 8 February 2018. New services are assessed to check they are likely to be safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led. This was their first inspection visit.

Why we inspected:

This was a planned a comprehensive inspection that was scheduled to take place in line with CQC scheduling guidelines for adult social care services.

Follow up:

We will review the service in line with our methodology for 'Good' services.