- Care home
Ruskin Lodge
Report from 15 April 2025 assessment
Contents
Ratings
Our view of the service
An assessment of Ruskin Lodge Care Home in St Helens was carried out on 29 April 2025. The provider supports people over the age of 60, including those living with dementia. The respite facility is purpose-built and provided short-term respite care.
The provider had a strong and consistent commitment to person-centred, compassionate care. Leaders and staff demonstrated a clear focus on dignity, respect, and the promotion of independence. Staff interactions were warm, respectful, and empowering, reflecting a culture where kindness and inclusion were evident in day-to-day practice. Equality and diversity were actively championed, and care was tailored to the unique needs and preferences of each person.
We found the provider had a robust and responsive assessment process which treated each additional respite stay as a new opportunity to reassess the person’s physical, emotional, and social needs. This ensured care remained safe and appropriate. Referrals to other health and social care professionals in support of people’s needs were made promptly so people received the help they required.
Staff were appropriately trained and supported to deliver high-quality care. People were given choices about their care and were supported to remain as independent as possible during their stay.
Medicines were stored securely and administered by trained staff in line with policy and guidance. Records, including those for "as needed" (PRN) medicines and controlled drugs, were accurate. People received medicines on time, and safe practices were observed. Clear governance structures were in place to monitor performance and ensure accountability. Quality audits, action plans, and regular supervisions supported oversight. Accidents and incidents were recorded, monitored, and reviewed. The findings were used to update care plans and support staff learning, helping to keep people safe.
People's experience of this service
People who used the service consistently described feeling safe, well cared for, and treated with dignity and respect during their respite stay. One person responded without hesitation when asked if they felt they received good, safe care, “Oh yes, definitely.” Others described staff as ‘lovely’ and spoke warmly about the way they were treated during their stay.
People reported staff understood their individual needs and were attentive to how those needs might change during each respite stay. There was a clear emphasis on supporting independence, with people telling us they were encouraged to make choices about their care and daily routines. People appreciated that staff took the time to get to know them, respected their preferences, and offered care that felt personal and well thought out.
People’s relatives confirmed people were supported to make choices about their care and daily routines, and shared praise for the provider and the care provided. One relative said, “I cannot fault it,” while another described the support their loved one received as, ‘Excellent care.’ Families spoke of peace of mind, knowing their relatives were in a safe and supportive environment, and highlighted the staff team’s kindness and professionalism.
People knew how to provide feedback and were confident their views would be taken seriously. They felt listened to and valued, and there was a clear sense their experiences and opinions mattered to the provider.
Feedback from people using the service was overwhelmingly positive, with many praising the attentiveness and compassion of staff. Family members spoke highly of the service, describing it as supportive, responsive, and deeply valued.