• Care Home
  • Care home

Archived: Dunnington Lodge Nursing Home

Church Street, Dunnington, York, North Yorkshire, YO19 5PW (01904) 488676

Provided and run by:
Dunnington Lodge Nursing Home

All Inspections

17 March 2014

During an inspection looking at part of the service

We spoke with five people living at Dunnington Lodge about the way their medicines were managed. All said overall that they were given their medicines regularly each day, although two commented that they sometimes had symptoms that could be better relieved if they were offered some of their 'as required' medication more regularly. One confirmed that the nurse stayed with them whilst they took their medicine. We also walked around the home when we first arrived, and did not see any tablets left for people to take later. We observed a nurse administering medication and saw this was carried out in a kind and patient manner.

Despite these comments we found that people were still not protected against the risks associated with the unsafe use and management of medicines. We found medicines records were not an accurate record of medicines administered to people, so the provider could not evidence that people were being given their medicines regularly and as prescribed. This meant people were at risk of harm, as the provider did not have robust systems in place to promote their comfort and protect their health and well-being.

We have told the provider to take action to improve medication systems at Dunnington Lodge.

4 November 2013

During a routine inspection

We observed the way staff interacted with people, spoke with ten people using the service, four visitors and a visiting healthcare professional. One person said, 'This is a lovely place to live, we are well fed, well looked after and the staff are kind and helpful.' One visitor told us, 'The staff are very caring and committed to the people here. Nothing is too much trouble.' Another visitor, who was dissatisfied with the service, was in contact with the providers and the local authority safeguarding team who were working together to try to resolve the matters they had raised.

Overall we found that people received safe and appropriate care, which met their needs and suited them. People had their privacy, dignity and independence respected and wherever possible were included in decisions about their care.

People who used the service were protected from the risk of abuse, because the provider, when follow up by senior staff, had taken reasonable steps to identify the possibility of abuse and prevent abuse from happening.

People were given their medicines at the time they needed them. However, we found medication records and systems needed some improvement.

There were enough qualified, skilled and experienced staff to meet people's needs all of the time, apart from some Sunday afternoons, when there was a reduction in staffing levels. Staff were receiving core mandatory training and this was being monitored by the manager.

Care records were not always accurate, fit for purpose and well maintained. Written information did not always evidence that people were receiving safe and appropriate care and lacked sufficient guidance for care staff and nurses to refer to.

3 January 2013

During a routine inspection

We spoke with three people who were living at Dunnington Lodge and with three visitors. We also observed several people who were cared for in bed, because of their frailty. People told us they were happy living there and staff supported them to be as independent as possible. One person said 'The staff are very good. They listen to what I want. I know I would get extra help if I wasn't so well.' And one visitor said 'I wouldn't say one bad thing against the staff here.'

We observed that staff were polite and respectful towards people living there. People were consulted in decisions about their care and about the way the home was being run.

People told us they received appropriate care that met their needs. We observed people had access to call bells, and those people cared for in their rooms were regularly checked, to make sure they were comfortable.

The service had infection prevention and control policies in place to protect the health and well-being of the people living, working and visiting the service.

People told us that care staff were competent and the care staff told us they attended training and received support so they could carry out their work safely and appropriately.

The records describing people's care needs were detailed and regularly reviewed. This ensured they were maintained as an accurate record of the care people needed.

24 February 2012

During an inspection looking at part of the service

People said they were helped to maintain their independence and they were encouraged to do as much as possible for themselves. One person said, "They look after me very well, they let me do what I can, they don't rush me and are always there to help". Other comments included, "The staff are attentive and caring" and, "The care is good, the staff know how I like things, I have no complaints." One person told us; "It's very good here. It is very different to being at home when you can't look after yourself. It is a good place to be." People were also positive about the staff who looked after them, describing them as 'very good' and "The staff are all nice." People told us the food was 'very good.'

People told us they felt 'safe' at Dunnington Lodge and that they would either speak to a member of staff or the manager if they did have a concern or a complaint. We also spoke with one health care professional who said; 'It is a wonderful home. I would be happy to live here. It is a good team. One of the few homes in the area that when you get a call, it is serious. We never get spurious calls. Other health care professionals that visit also give me that impression."

People said they thought the home was well run and that staff were 'extremely organised.' People gave examples of how they had asked for a change, for example, with the choices of menu available at teatime, and this had been listened to and acted on.

14 June 2011

During a routine inspection

The four people we spoke with were generally satisfied with the care and support they received. One person told us the care staff were 'ok', although another said some staff had a nicer approach than others, in the way they spoke to the people living there. An individual told us they had had a bath that day and staff had been 'very thoughtful' in the manner of support they provided. And another told us they liked to go to bed quite late and this choice was always respected. We were told by one person that they liked the home 'very much' and staff knew what they were doing and were 'very kind'. Two people said they would tell Mrs Richardson (the owner and registered manager) if they were concerned about something. They were confident that she would sort things out for them.