17 January 2022
During an inspection looking at part of 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.