Windmill Lodge Care Home

Updated 28 September 2021

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 Care Act 2014.

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 two inspectors, a specialist advisor and two Experts by Experience. The specialist advisor was a nurse. 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

Windmill Lodge Care Home 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

We gave the service 48 hours’ notice of the inspection. This was because we needed to be sure it was safe for us to visit the home.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed the information we had received about the service since the last inspection. 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.

During the inspection

We spoke with 16 people using the service. We also spoke with the director of care quality and transformation, regional operations director, registered manager and 17 staff members, including six nurses and six care staff.

We reviewed a range of records. This included care records for 17 people and staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including complaints logs, incident forms, medicines records and policies and procedures were reviewed.

After the inspection

We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We requested the provider send us additional evidence after our inspection in relation to training, staff recruitment and auditing processes. We contacted seven healthcare professionals to find out their experiences of working with this provider.

Updated 28 September 2021

About the service

Windmill Lodge Care Home is a care home providing personal and nursing care for up to 93 people. At the time of our inspection, there were 85 people using the service. The service supported older people living with dementia and nursing needs. The home is arranged over three floors, each with their own separate adapted facilities.

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

People felt safe living at the service. Staff completed comprehensive risk assessments that included mitigating strategies to keep people safe. Although a few people told us that staff were in a rush sometimes, there were enough staff to meet people’s care needs as necessary. People received their medicines as prescribed. Staff had the necessary support and equipment to effectively manage risks in relation to COVID-19 and hygiene requirements.

The home was adapted to meet the needs of people living there. Although some staff missed the date for their refresher courses to be completed, they had a good level of knowledge to ensure people’s well-being. Legal requirements were followed in making a best interest decision for people, but the provider had agreed to review their processes to ensure that mental capacity assessments were completed appropriately. People’s nutritional needs were thoroughly assessed so that staff could meet people's care needs.

People described staff as caring, polite and respecting their dignity. Events in the home took place to encourage and support people’s diverse care needs. Staff worked with people to understand their choices and wishes which were reflected in care records.

Care plans were robust and reviewed regularly to reflect people’s changing care needs. Individual needs were considered to ensure effective care delivery, including the activities people wanted to take part in. Staff were aware and supported people with their communication needs. People felt able to raise any concerns they had if needed.

There was a good leadership at the service with set values for inclusion and empowering of people. The staff team had support to carry out their responsibilities effectively and safely. Quality assurance processes in place were used to improve the care delivery and lessons were learnt quickly to prevent repeated incidents. The service developed close contacts and good communication with the healthcare professionals for partnership working.

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

Rating at last inspection

The last overall rating for this service was requires improvement (published 02/05/2019). We also undertook a focused inspection to review the key questions of Safe and Well-led (published 26/08/2020).

Why we inspected

We carried out the inspection to check whether the provider had embedded and sustained improvements that we had noted at our previous inspection.

Follow up

We will continue to monitor the service and information we receive about them. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.