Background to this inspection
Updated
14 April 2023
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
1 inspector carried out this inspection.
Service and service type
Washington 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. Washington Lodge is a care home with 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
The provider was asked to complete a Provider Information Return (PIR) prior to this inspection. A PIR is information providers send us to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make.
We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We sought 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 (PIR). This is information providers are required to send us annually with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. We used all this information to plan our inspection.
During the inspection
We spoke to the registered manager as well as the regional manager, 1 person, 3 relatives and 4 members of staff. We reviewed a range of records. This included 4 people's complete care records and medication records for 4 people. We looked at 4 staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision as well as staff feedback forms. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures were also reviewed.
Updated
14 April 2023
About the service
Washington Lodge is a nursing home which provides nursing and personal care for up to 65 people, some of whom are living with dementia. There were 45 people living there at the time of this inspection.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
People and their relatives were very positive about the care provided. People told us they felt safe and staff had the skills to support them. Relatives provided positive examples of how staff had helped improve people’s lives since moving to the home.
Staff were safely recruited and received an induction followed by training from the provider. Training was monitored and staff were supported with regular meetings and supervisions. Staffing capacity was enough to meet service user needs.
People and relatives were involved in every stage of care planning. Systems and records were in place to ensure people received person-centered, safe care.
The registered manager had an effective quality assurance system in place. Regular audits and checks were done. These were used to identify relevant action and lessons learnt. People, relatives, staff and professionals were offered opportunities to provide feedback about the care provided at the home.
All staff ensured people living in the service were happy with the environment and found ways to promote their independence; their passions and interests were maintained wherever possible.
The service was following safe infection prevention and control procedures to keep people safe
Medicines were managed safely. Risks to people were assessed and action taken to reduce the chances of them occurring. The registered manager acted on feedback immediately. People were safeguarded from abuse.
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.
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 rating for this service was requires improvement (published 4 August 2021)
At this inspection we found improvements had been made and the provider was no longer in breach of regulations.
Why we inspected
This inspection was prompted by a review of the information we held about this service.
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.
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.