Hazel Lodge

Updated 9 April 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

The inspection was conducted by two inspectors on the first day and one inspector on the second day. An Expert by Experience made phone calls to people and their relatives. 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

Hazel 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. Hazel 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.

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

Before the inspection we reviewed information, we had received about the service including notifications. Notifications are information about specific important events the service is legally required to send to us. 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 of this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with four people who used the service and 11 relatives of people about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with seven members of staff including the provider, the registered manager, the deputy, the chef, nurses and care workers. We used the Short Observational Framework for Inspection (SOFI). SOFI is a way of observing care to help us understand the experience of people who could not talk with us.

After the inspection

We reviewed the evidence gathered during the inspection. We received feedback from three professionals who have had contact with the service.

Updated 9 April 2022

About the service

Hazel Lodge is a care home providing personal and nursing care to older adults and those with a cognitive and/or physical disability. They can support up to 21 people. At the time of our inspection there were 21 people living in the service.

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

People told us they were happy living at Hazel Lodge, received good care and felt respected as individuals.

People and their relatives told us they felt staff provided safe care and knew how to look after them. Staff understood their safeguarding responsibilities and knew how to report any concerns. There were enough staff available to support people. The environment was clean and homely, and people had access to appropriate equipment where needed, which meant people’s needs were met.

Quality assurance processes were in place and risks to people and the environment were managed safely. Medicines were administered safely and as prescribed. Records confirmed people received their medications as prescribed and audits were completed to ensure that systems were followed.

Staff had received appropriate training and support to enable them to carry out their role safely. They received regular supervision to help develop their skills and support them in their role. The home was decorated in a homely way and people's bedrooms were personalised.

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.

Staff had developed positive relationships with people and knew them well. People, their relatives and external professionals told us the staff were caring and supported them to feel included.

Staff used positive communication techniques with people, so they felt listened to and valued according to their individual needs. The home supported people to receive appropriate end of life care. There was a complaints process that people could follow if they needed to.

The provider and registered manager had systems and processes to monitor safety and quality within the home. The registered manager understood their regulatory responsibilities and shared information with stakeholders in a timely way. People, their relatives, staff and external professionals told us the registered manager and provider were supportive, and the home was well led.

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

Rating

This service was registered with us on 01 June 2020 and this is the first inspection.

Why we inspected

We carried out a comprehensive inspection, so we were able provide a rating for the 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, which will help inform when we next inspect.