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Archived: Lincoln Lodge Residential Home for the Elderly

Overall: Requires improvement read more about inspection ratings

Lincoln Lodge, 2 Lincoln Square, Hunstanton, Norfolk, PE36 6DL (01485) 535328

Provided and run by:
B J Poore

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Background to this inspection

Updated 4 November 2016

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

This unannounced inspection took place on 15 September 2016. It was undertaken by two inspectors and an expert by experience. An expert by experience is a person who has personal experience of using, or caring for someone who uses this type of care service. Their area of expertise was in caring for older people and those living with dementia.

Prior to our inspection we looked at information that we held about the service including information received and notifications. Notifications are information on important events that happen in the home that the provider is required to notify us about by law. We also made contact with the local authority contract monitoring officer to aid with our planning of this inspection.

The provider completed a Provider Information Return (PIR) and sent this to us before the inspection. This is a form that asks the provider to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make.

During our inspection we spoke with 13 people and three visitors. We also spoke with the registered manager, nominated individual, office manager, care co-ordinator and three care staff.

We looked at four people’s care records. We also looked at records relating to the management of the service including staff training records, audits, and meeting minutes.

Overall inspection

Requires improvement

Updated 4 November 2016

Lincoln Lodge is registered to provide accommodation and personal care for up to 25 people. There were 24 people living in the home at the time of the inspection.

The accommodation is over four floors which are served by a passenger lift. The provider is also registered to provide personal care to people living in their own homes. This was not being provided at the time of this inspection and was therefore not assessed or reported on.

This unannounced inspection took place on 15 September 2016.

At the last comprehensive inspection on 3 September 2015 a breach of three legal requirements were found and the service was rated as requires improvement. After the comprehensive inspection, the provider wrote to us to say what they would do to meet the legal requirements.

During this inspection we found that the provider had followed their plan which they had told us would be completed by 30 November 2015 to show how the legal requirements were to be met.

There was a registered manager in post at the time of this inspection. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are 'registered persons'. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

Risk assessments did not provide detailed information for staff about how to manage risks to people. This meant that people could receive care that was not safe.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) is required by law to monitor the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) 2005, Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) and to report on what we find. The provider was acting in accordance with the requirements of the MCA including the DoLS. The provider was able to demonstrate how they supported people to make decisions about their care. Where people were unable to do so, there were records showing that decisions were being taken in their best interests. DoLS applications had been submitted to the appropriate authority. This meant that people did not have restrictions placed on them without the correct procedures being followed.

People were provided with a varied choice of meals. When necessary, people were given any extra help and support to eat. This ensured people had sufficient to eat and drink to keep them healthy.

Staff had received training, which was regularly updated in order to enable them to provide care in a way which ensured people's individual and changing needs were met. Peoples health needs were supported as they had access to a range of visiting health and social care professionals. Clear arrangements were also in place for ordering, storing, administering and disposing of people’s medicines.

The provider had a recruitment process in place and staff were only employed after all essential safety checks had been satisfactorily completed.

Staff treated people with dignity and respect. Mixed views were received about the number of people on duty in the home. At the time of our inspection sufficient staff were on duty to meet people’s needs.

A range of audit and quality assurance procedures were in place. However, these were not always as effective as they should have been.