Pine Lodge

About the service

Pine Lodge is a residential care home providing personal care for up to 12 younger adults with a learning disability and autism. At the time of the inspection four people were using the service.

Pine Lodge provides short-term residential care including support for two younger adults with a learning disability, in self-contained apartments, to develop independent living skills and plan for transition towards independent living.

Right support

People were not always supported to have maximum choice and control over their lives. The Mental Capacity Act (MCA) principles were not always followed when assessing mental capacity and in making best interests’ decisions.

People had not always received high quality person-centred care, that was stimulating, followed people’s preferences, enabled people to develop, flourish and pursue their own interests.

People received support with their medicines safely and in the way they preferred.

Staff enabled people to access and follow up specialist health and social care support in a timely manner.

Right care

People’s care and support plans had not always been updated when people’s needs had changed, to ensure people received the right care that was responsive to their changing needs.

Risks associated with people’s care and choices were not always set out in their care records and regularly reviewed.

People were protected from abuse and avoidable harm.

People were supported to communicate in the way they preferred. Staff were provided with the training to support people in this area.

People received care that strived to support their needs and aspirations, focused on their quality of life, and followed best practice.

The staff team provided kind, compassionate and effective care and support.

Right culture

Difficulties with staff retention and recruitment, placed the companies’ ethos, values, attitudes and behaviours at risk of not always being able to support people to be empowered and to lead fulfilled lives.

People received, support and treatment from staff that were sufficiently trained and supported in their roles.

People and those important to them were involved in planning and reviewing their care.

The registered manager promoted an open and welcoming culture. People using the service, relatives and staff felt valued and supported.

Rating at last inspection

Pine Lodge was registered with us on 01 April 2021 and this is the first inspection. The last rating for this service under the previous provider was Good, published on 31 August 2018.

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

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection based on the provider's registration date and to assess that the service is applying the principles of Right support right care right culture.

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.

Enforcement

We are mindful of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our regulatory function. This meant we took account of the exceptional circumstances arising as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic when considering what enforcement action was necessary and proportionate to keep people safe as a result of this inspection. We will continue to monitor the service and will take further action if needed.

We have identified a breach in relation to the need for consent and good governance. Please see the action we have told the provider to take at the end of this report.

We have made a recommendation about creating therapeutic environments for people with a learning disability and autism.

Follow up

We will request an action plan from the provider to understand what they will do to improve the standards of quality and safety. We will work alongside the provider to monitor progress. We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.

We found the following examples of good practice.

Professionals visitors which included health care professionals and maintenance staff were required to evidence a negative LFD test for COVID-19. In addition, visitors were required to provide evidence they had received both doses of a COVID vaccination. Where people were medically exempt from vaccination, evidence of medical exemption was required.

The nature of the service in providing short term breaks and respite care, meant visits by family members were very infrequent. Where family members did visit they were required to evidence a negative LFD test. Visitors were encouraged to visit within the person’s bedroom, or large communal room or take their relative out of the home.

All visitors were required to wear a mask, additional Personal Protective Equipment) PPE such as gloves and apron were also available for use by visitors.

We saw PPE was accessible within the home and staff used it in accordance with the most up to date guidance. Information about the correct use of Personal Protective Equipment PPE and handwashing guidance was displayed throughout the home.

Family members were contacted prior to their relative accessing the service for respite care 24 hours prior to their arrival. Information was gathered about the person’s health and wellbeing, and family members were encouraged to carry out an LFD test prior on their relative prior to arriving at Pine Lodge. Information was also gathered as to the person’s vaccination status. The needs of people using the service meant due to the invasive nature of testing, many were unable to take part in routine testing.

People’s health and welfare was monitored throughout their respite stay, which included the taking of their temperature with a digital thermometer. People’s potential risk of COVID-19 had been assessed.

Staff engaged with a programme of regular testing according to government guidance.

Cleaning schedules and recording documents had been designed specifically for each area of the home. Bedrooms were thoroughly cleaned upon people’s discharge and signage displayed to show the room had been cleaned and had been prepared for the next occupant.

Offices had signage detailing the maximum number of occupants at any one time to support social distancing.

Signage throughout the home reminded staff and visitors of the importance of hand hygiene and infection control measures.

A risk assessment for COVID-19 had been undertaken and was regular reviewed in line with changes in government guidance and legislation and had considered new variants of COVID.