Ruskin Lodge

Updated 28 March 2018

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection checked 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.

The inspection was unannounced as was carried out by one adult social care inspector.

Inspection site visit activity started on the 18 January 2018 and ended on the 23 January 2018. We visited an offsite office on the 23 January 2018 to review recruitment and training records because these were not kept at Ruskin Lodge.

During the inspection we spoke with six people using the service, three staff, the registered manager and area manager. We looked at 3 people's care records and recruitment and training files for three staff. We made observations on the interior and exterior of the premises. We also looked at records pertaining to the day-to-day running of the service, for example maintenance and quality monitoring records.

Updated 28 March 2018

The inspection took place on the 18 and 23 January 2018. The inspection was unannounced on the first day, and announced on the second.

Ruskin Lodge is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection. Ruskin Lodge specifically provides respite accommodation for people over short periods of time.

The service is located in St Helens and is registered to accommodate up to 23 people. At the time of the inspection there were 12 people using the service.

There was registered manager in post who had registered with the CQC in December 2017. 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.

There were sufficient numbers of staff in post to meet the needs of people using the service. The registered provider had a staffing tool in place to help them determine the number of staff required to meet the needs of people using the service.

Recruitment processes were safe and helped ensure that people were supported by staff who were of suitable character. This helped protect people from the risk of abuse.

Staff had undertaken training in safeguarding and knew how to report any concerns they may have about people’s wellbeing. The registered manager had been proactive in ensuring the wellbeing of one person was protected by ensuring the appropriate support was in place, prior to their returning home.

Staff had the skills and knowledge necessary to carry out their roles. For example staff had good communication skills, and had a good understanding around the medication administration process. Records showed that people had been given their medication as prescribed.

People spoke very positively about the food that was on offer. Kitchen staff were aware of people’s dietary needs, which helped ensure that people were provided with appropriate options.

Where required people were supported to access health care professionals to help maintain their health and general wellbeing. For example, a health assessment for one person had been scheduled whilst they were staying at the service.

Positive relationships had been developed between people and staff. Staff interactions with people were familiar but professional and people presented as relaxed in their company. We observed the registered manager and area manager engaging in friendly conversation with people, which showed they knew people who were using the service.

People each had a personalised care record in place which contained details about their personal preferences, and their day-to-day care needs. Staff completed daily records regarding the care and support provided to people which were detailed and comprehensive. These provided an accurate and up-to-date record regarding people’s requirements.

People’s confidentiality was protected. Records containing personal information was stored securely and the registered provider had undertaken a significant piece of work around ensuring they were on target to meet changing data protection laws. This showed that the registered provider was proactive, and highlighted their professionalism.

The registered provider had quality monitoring processes in place with clear outcome which were followed up in a timely manner. The registered manager had developed a tool for analysing accidents and incidents which could be used to mitigate the risk of incidents from reoccurring.