Croft Lodge

Updated 12 August 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 one inspector and one 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

Croft 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. Croft 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 service is required to have a registered manager. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. This means that they and the provider are legally responsible for how the service is run and for the quality and safety of the care provided.

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 since registration. We sought feedback from the local authority. The provider was not asked to complete a provider information return prior to this inspection. This is information we require providers to send us to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We took this into account when we inspected the service and made the judgements in this report. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with five people who used the service about their experience of the care provided and five relatives. We had discussions with nine staff including the registered manager and deputy manager, laundry person and care and support staff. We reviewed a range of records. This included three people's care records and numerous medication records. We looked at three staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including quality assurance documents, policies and procedures were reviewed.

After the inspection

We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found and analyse evidence sent electronically. We received further feedback from three staff via email.

Updated 12 August 2022

About the service

Croft Lodge is a residential care home providing the regulated activity of accommodation for persons who require nursing or personal care. The service can provide care and support for up to 24 people. At the time of our inspection there were 21 people using the service.

Croft Lodge is a large adapted domestic property in the seaside town of Teignmouth. It has gardens and sea views from some aspects.

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

People received safe care and support and they told us they felt safe living at Croft Lodge. Staff understood safeguarding procedures and were confident in reporting any concerns. Risks to people's safety were assessed and well managed, and people's care plans detailed current risks and individual needs.

There were sufficient numbers of staff who were safely recruited to meet people's needs.

Medicines were well managed, and the registered manager had worked closely with pharmacies in the area to ensure the local pharmacy staff shortages did not impact delivery of peoples’ prescribed medicines. Staff received training in relation to the safe administration of medicines and their competencies were checked to ensure safe practice.

Infection control measures were robustly followed, and staff had access to sufficient personal protective equipment (PPE).

People's care needs were assessed before they went to live at the service, to ensure their needs could be fully met.

Staff received an induction when they first commenced work at the service and ongoing training that enabled them to have the skills and knowledge to provide effective care.

People were supported to eat and drink enough and staff placed a strong emphasis on the dining experience to ensure it was enjoyed by all.

Staff supported people to live healthier lives and access healthcare services. The service worked in partnership with outside agencies.

The service had a welcoming atmosphere where visitors were welcomed and encouraged. The premises were homely and currently undergoing a re-furbishment and refresh.

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.

People's health and social care needs were managed well. There were positive relationships with professionals which supported people's overall wellbeing. Staff provided care and support in a very caring and meaningful way. They knew people well and had built up kind and compassionate relationships with them.

The service was well managed. People, relatives and staff were very positive about the leadership of the service and praised the management team highly, especially the registered manager. There were systems in place to monitor the quality of the service. Actions were taken and improvements were made when required.

Staff felt well supported and said the registered manager was open and approachable. The provider was closely involved and there were good communication channels across the staff team.

Rating at last inspection

The last rating for this service was requires improvement (published 16 May 2019.

Why we inspected

We received concerns in relation to safeguarding and medicines management. As a result, we undertook a focused inspection to review the key questions of safe, responsive and well led only. For those key questions not inspected, we used the ratings awarded at the last inspection to calculate the overall rating.

The overall rating for the service has changed from Requires Improvement to Good based on the findings of this inspection.

We found no evidence during this inspection that people were at risk of harm from these concerns. Please see the safe and well led sections of this full report.

We looked at infection prevention and control measures under the Safe key question. We look at this in all care home inspections even if no concerns or risks have been identified. This is to provide assurance that the service can respond to COVID-19 and other infection outbreaks effectively.

You can read the report from our last comprehensive inspection, by selecting the ‘all reports’ link for Croft Lodge on our website at www.cqc.org.uk

Follow up

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