Dr Anderson Lodge

Updated 29 January 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 included checking the provider was meeting COVID-19 vaccination requirements. 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

This 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

Dr Anderson Lodge is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

The service had a manager registered with the Care Quality Commission. 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.

Notice of inspection

This inspection was unannounced.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection, and reviewed feedback from the local authority and professionals who work with the service. We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return. This is information providers are required to send us with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. This information helps support our inspections. We used all this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with four people who used the service and five relatives about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with eight members of staff including the registered manager, deputy manager, a nurse, care workers and ancillary staff.

We reviewed a range of records. This included three people’s care records and multiple 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 policies and procedures were reviewed.

After the inspection

We continued to seek clarification from the registered manager to validate evidence found. We looked at training data and quality assurance records.

Updated 29 January 2022

About the service

Dr Anderson Lodge provides nursing and personal care to people with a range of support needs, including dementia, physical disabilities and sensory impairment. It accommodates up to 60 people and 32 people were using the service at the time of the inspection.

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

People were supported by staff to stay safe. Risks to people's safety had been assessed and actions taken to reduce any known or potential risks that could harm them. People received their medicines as prescribed. A small number of medicine records were incorrect, and the medicine audit had not identified this. We found no evidence that people had been harmed. The registered manager immediately investigated how this had happened and acted to prevent a reoccurrence of this. Systems to ensure people were protected from risk of abuse were effective. The registered manager and staff understood their individual and collective safeguarding responsibilities. Staffing levels were safe and recent recruitment had been successful.

People and relatives were happy with the care and told us the staff were “very kind,” “caring” and “compassionate.” Relatives said their loved ones had improved in various ways, weight gain, grooming, and demeanour, since living in the home. They said, “When I see [name] and observe the amount of care staff give, I have no concerns at all about their safety,” and “I am happy with their care. [Name] is safe, warm and eating again. No one could look after them any better.”

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 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. This included checking the provider was meeting COVID-19 vaccination requirements. We were assured the provider was adhering to infection control practices. Infection prevention and control measures were in place and staff understood how to prevent the spread of infection. Staff wore personal protective equipment as required by the current guidance.

The registered manager had effective governance systems in place to maintain and improve the quality and safety of the service. Due to a change to an electronic system of recording medicines, the medicine audit had not picked up a difference in the way staff were recording medicine that was refused. The registered manager took immediate action to rectify this. Analysis of accidents and incidents included all accidents that had happened and identified any patterns or trends to help mitigate risk and prevent reoccurrence. People were provided with a good quality service, which was regularly assessed and closely monitored. Any shortfalls identified were addressed without delay. The management teams oversight at the home had greatly improved.

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk

The last rating for this service was requires improvement (published 24 November 2020). The overall rating for the service has changed from requires improvement to good. This is based on the findings at this inspection.

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.

Follow up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.