Archived: Cumberworth Lodge Care Home

Cumberworth Lodge provides accommodation for up to 26 older people who require accommodation and personal care, some of whom may be living with dementia. It is situated within a semi-rural location in the hamlet of Graizelound, which is close to the village of Haxey.

We undertook this unannounced inspection over two days, on the 18 and 23 November 2016. At the time of our inspection there were 21 people living in the service. The service was last inspected on 6 March 2015 when we identified a breach of Regulation 18 Care Quality Commission (Registration) Regulations 2009, because the service had not always sent in notifications about significant events affecting the health and welfare of people who used the service. This meant we were not able to monitor the service and take action if this was required. At this inspection we found improvements had been made and the service was no longer in breach of this regulation, because the registered provider had appropriately notified us about incidents in the home.

The service had a registered manager who had management oversight of the service on a daily basis. The service also had an acting manager who was in the process of submitting an application to have their skills and competencies formally assessed by the (CQC) for this position. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the CQC 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.

People who used the service told us they felt safe. The needs of people were assessed and staff provided with information on the management of potential risks, to ensure that people were protected from harm. Incidents and accidents were monitored by the service and action taken to minimise them from reoccurring. Staff had been recruited safely to ensure they were not included on an official list that barred them from working with vulnerable adults.

Safeguarding training had been provided to staff to ensure they knew how to recognise and report incidents of possible abuse. Staff were aware of their professional roles and responsibilities for raising whistleblowing concerns and had confidence in management action to ensure these were effectively followed up. The dependencies of people were regularly assessed to ensure there were sufficient staff available to meet their needs.

People received their medicines as prescribed and systems were in place to ensure their medicines were managed safely. Maintenance checks were regularly carried out to ensure that people’s environment and equipment was kept safe.

A range of training and development opportunities were provided to enable staff to safely carry out their roles and develop their careers. People who experienced difficulties with making informed decisions were supported by staff who received training about the Mental Capacity Act 2005. Systems were in place to make sure decisions made on people’s behalf were carried out in their best interests to ensure their legal and human rights were protected.

Staff told us they enjoyed their work and we observed they had developed strong relationships with people who used the service. Staff demonstrated a positive regard for the promotion and respect of people’s personal dignity and privacy, whilst involving them in making choices about their lives. Staff involved relevant health professionals when this was required, to ensure people’s medical needs were promoted. The fluid and nutritional needs of people were monitored well by staff and positive comments were received from community specialists about this.

People told us they were happy with the service and had no concerns. People were able to provide feedback and they were encouraged to be involved and help the service continually improve. Opportunities were provided for people participate in social activities and plans were in place to develop this aspect of the service. A complaints procedure was in place to enable people to raise concerns about the service and have these investigated and resolved whenever this was possible.

We found a positive culture existed in the home. Regular management checks were carried out to enable the quality of the service to be monitored and enable the identification of any changes needed, when this was required.

We saw that people's care records contained assessments about them to ensure the home was able to meet their needs. We saw that people looked clean and well cared for and that staff demonstrated a friendly and compassionate approach. People told us they were, 'Very happy' with the service and that staff were kind and considerate. One person told us, 'Staff are brilliant, they do a very good job 'they always come to see me at nights to make sure I'm all right.'

We saw that appropriate arrangements were in place in relation to the recording of people's medicines. People who used the service told us that staff supported them with their medication and received this when it was required.

We saw there were effective recruitment and selection processes in place to ensure staff were safe to work with people who used the service.

We found there were systems in place to enable risks to people who used the service to be effectively managed. We saw this included a range of checks, to ensure appropriate follow up action was taken to enable the health, safety and welfare of people who used the service to be monitored. People who used the service told us they were 'Very satisfied' with the service. They told us they were aware of the complaints process and were confident that appropriate action would be taken to resolve any concerns they had.

We observed that staff displayed a kind and positive approach and saw that they interacted with people in a welcoming manner. We found that staff offered support in a sensitive and considerate way, to ensure people's dignity and personal wishes were respected.

Relatives told us they were 'Very satisfied' with the service provided and described the support that was delivered as 'Fantastic.'

We observed that people who used the service looked clean and well cared for and found that the home was warm, neat and tidy with no unpleasant smells. We saw that staff demonstrated a caring and professional approach. Visiting members of families told us that staff maintained 'Very good contact' with them and that they were 'Always kept informed' about issues affecting their relatives.

People who used the service said that they were 'Warm and comfortable' and that staff were 'Very Kind.' Relatives told us they 'Couldn't ask for anything more' and were "Confident" any concerns would be appropriately dealt with and followed up by the provider.

We saw that staff worked well as a team. Staff told us they enjoyed their work and were provided with 'Excellent training' opportunities to help them do their jobs.

We saw evidence of an open and listening approach that welcomed the contribution of ideas and suggestions from people that used the service and their relatives.