• Care Home
  • Care home

Archived: Burnham Lodge Nursing Home

Overall: Good read more about inspection ratings

147 Berrow Road, Burnham On Sea, Somerset, TA8 2PN (01278) 783230

Provided and run by:
Elderly Medicare Limited

Important: The provider of this service changed. See new profile

All Inspections

21 November 2014

During an inspection looking at part of the service

This inspection was unannounced and took place on 21 November 2014. At the last inspection of the home on 12 December 2013 no concerns were identified.

Burnham Lodge Nursing Home provides nursing care and accommodation for up to 23 people. The home specialises in the care of older people. There were 18 people living in the home at the time of our visit.

There was a registered manager in post. 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.

During the inspection there was a relaxed and cheerful atmosphere in the home. People chatted easily with staff and there was friendly banter with one person. They told us they always enjoyed laughing and joking with staff. People said they were happy living in Burnham Lodge Nursing Home and found staff were always caring and compassionate. One visitor, said, “They are always cheerful and welcoming.”

The registered manager’s vision for the home was to ensure all people received care and support in a dignified and respectful manner, this could be seen throughout the visit. Staff all demonstrated their awareness of the registered manager’s vision and could tell us how they helped people to maintain their independence and choice as best as they could. One staff, member said as the dignity champion they had looked at ways of reducing embarrassment for people when they needed to use the hoist in a public area such as the lounge. Another staff member told us, “We discuss the importance of respect and dignity at meetings and supervision and it is written in their care plans as well. It is their home and they should be able to live how they want.”

All care staff had received training in identifying and reporting abuse. All staff spoken with were able to explain to us the signs of abuse and how they would report any concerns they had. They all stated they were confident any concerns bought to the registered manager would be dealt with appropriately. People told us they felt safe in the home and they all knew who to talk to if they wanted to raise a concern or complaint. The registered manager explained they had a system where staff could talk through any concerns they may have so any issues could be dealt with promptly.

People said they felt safe living at the home and with the staff who supported them. One person said, “They are all very kind I have never heard a cross word. A visitor said, “Mum is so relaxed here I am sure she feels really safe.” There was a robust recruitment procedure in place which minimised the risks of abuse to people.

People’s health care needs were fully assessed and care and support was provided on an individual basis. One staff member told us, “The care plans have plenty of information and we review them regularly with the person. But the important thing is to talk to them as they may want something different that day.” This meant people’s individual changing needs were considered and catered for in consultation with them or a family member if necessary. Care plans and care practices were monitored to ensure people’s preferences were being followed and improvements were made when needed.

People had access to healthcare professionals such as the GP, district nurse, Chiropodist and dentist. Staff supported people to attend appointments with specialist healthcare professionals in hospitals and clinics. Staff made sure when there were changes to people’s physical well- being, such as changes in weight or mobility, effective measures were put in place to address any issues.

Everybody spoken with told us they enjoyed the food, they all said the food was excellent. People were offered choices and the food was nutritious and well presented. People who needed assistance with eating were supported in a dignified unhurried manner. Some people chose to eat in their room, one person said, “the tray is laid nicely and the food is always warm enough.”

There was an activities programme in place and people told us there was plenty to do. The activities person had introduced exercises and had supported people in doing their Christmas shopping and writing to relatives. A visitor said, “The activities have improved and they are arranging more for people to do, I have discussed introducing knitting and the manager has put it into the programme.” People were supported to maintain links with the local community; the registered manager had links with local groups and the school.

There were systems in place to monitor the care provided and people’s experiences. A regular survey was carried out asking people, their relatives and healthcare professionals about the service provided by the home. Suggestions for change were listened to and actions taken to improve the service provided. All incidents and accidents were monitored, trends identified and learning shared with staff to put into practice.

Records were in place to ensure people’s wishes and preferences during their final days and following death were respected. The home had achieved the National Gold Standard Framework in August 2013. This is a comprehensive quality assurance system which enables care homes to provide quality care to people nearing the end of their life. Reaccreditation for this award is carried out every four years.

12 December 2013

During an inspection in response to concerns

We carried out this inspection in response to concerns we had received. On the day of our inspection 19 people were living in Burnham Lodge. We spoke with five people who lived in the home and seven members of staff. We also observed the care provided to other people who were unable to communicate verbally with us.

People we spoke with told us they were happy with the care and treatment they received. We were told 'I'm looked after very well', 'The care staff are very good, I've got no complaints at all' and 'I can't say anything wrong about the home'.

We observed people sitting in the conservatory lounge who were unable to communicate verbally with us. We could see their personal care needs were being met. They looked well-presented and were dressed in clean personalised clothing. The staff engaged with them in a kind, friendly and patient manner.

We found appropriate arrangements were in place in relation to obtaining, recording and disposal of medicines. Medicines were stored securely and were safely administered by nursing staff.

Staff spoken with said they had received training to meet the needs of the people they supported. They said they received good support from other experienced members of staff. They told us the recent management changes had been disruptive. The new manager had plans to improve the support provided to staff in the New Year.

29 August 2013

During a routine inspection

We brought forward the date of this unannounced inspection and reviewed two staffing outcomes because of information we had received.

People told us they were asked for their consent before they received any care or treatment. People said 'They always ask before they do anything' and 'They always ask for my permission'. One member of staff said 'Most people here can say yes or no. You get to know individuals well and can gauge what they want even when they can't tell you'.

People told us they were happy with the care and treatment provided by staff. One person said 'The care is excellent and the food is always freshly cooked. My health has improved since I've been here'. Another person said 'On the whole I think it's good here. The care is good, the staff are lovely, the food is lovely but the place needs investment'.

People who lived in the home said they received the correct dose of medication at the right times of day. One person said 'They bring my medicines every morning without fail'. Another person said 'They bring my medicines regularly and wait to make sure I have taken them'.

We looked at staff recruitment records. These showed the provider had effective recruitment procedures. This minimised risks to people who lived in the home.

People told us they were well cared for but said the staff were very busy. One person said 'They always do the best they can but I think they could sometimes do with more staff'.

11 December 2012

During a routine inspection

We spoke with six of the people who lived in the home and observed the care provided to others who were unable to fully express their views. People we spoke with told us that they were happy with the way the service was run. People said 'They are marvellous here. It's so relaxed' and 'I couldn't do better'.

People expressed their views and were involved in making decisions about their care and treatment. People said 'I get the medication and care that I need. I can't fault it' and 'Anything I want I just ask for it'. We were told 'The food is excellent, well cooked and homely'.

Care staff had up to date information on how to support people. People who lived in the home, their families and other health and social care professionals were involved in the care planning.

Care staff coordinated social activities for people in the home. One person said 'I have plenty to do. I do crosswords, read, and watch TV. Staff chat to me and help me write letters'.

People told us that they were happy with the cleanliness of the home. One person said 'Rooms are kept clean and tidy'.

Staff felt competent to carry out their jobs. They had received relevant training and were well supported by their colleagues.

Provider records gave evidence that people's complaints were fully investigated and resolved where possible to their satisfaction. One person said 'I don't have any complaints. But if I had a problem I would talk to the manager or to the staff'.

19 April 2012

During a routine inspection

We brought forward a scheduled review of compliance due to a concern that we were made aware of and to review progress from our last inspection on 8 December 2011.

We spoke with six of the people who lived in the home. Everyone we spoke with said that the staff were always respectful and treated them properly. People were complimentary about the manager/matron and other staff and told us that they could talk to them whenever they needed to. One person said, 'If I want something staff will get it for me. You can always have a banter with them'.

People we spoke with said they were happy with the meals provided. One of the people in the home was a vegetarian and told us that, 'The chef asks me what I would like each day'.

We observed that the people who lived in the home were well presented and looked well cared for. People were generally happy with the care provided and some new activities had been organised. At our last inspection people were observed sitting in the conservatory area all day long. At this inspection we saw that people were assisted to move around the different communal areas of the home. We observed people chatting to each other, to staff and to visitors. Other people were reading the papers or watching television.

We were told, 'Someone comes in and does some singing with us now' and 'I go outside when I can. I like gardening and we can have our tea outside when the weather is fine'. One person said, 'There are some activities but a lot of people just want to sleep or read the paper'.

The people we spoke with told us that they were well treated by staff and had not witnessed anything to cause them upset or concern. One person said, 'I've never seen anyone in a state'. People told us they would tell the care staff or the manager/matron if they had any worries. One person said, 'The new matron is excellent and is fair to everyone, I would talk to matron if there was any problem'.

Throughout the day we observed that care was appropriate and friendly and people were not hurried. One person said, 'The staff here are wonderful, they really are helpful'.

People told us that staff were prompt at responding to their call bells. They said, 'They come quickly when I ring my bell' and 'I've got no complaints about staff, they come straight away if I need them'. This showed that there were sufficient numbers of staff to meet the needs of people in the home.

8 December 2011

During a routine inspection

We spoke individually with seven of the people that lived in the home and also observed the care and interactions between the staff and other people throughout the day of our inspection. The conversations we heard between staff and people living in the home were all polite and respectful. People said 'The staff are very thoughtful and respectful' and 'Staff always knock before they come in'.

People said they were able to make decisions about their care and support. We were told 'No one tries to make me do anything and I can go to bed when I like'. Several people said their relatives 'took care of the paperwork and told the home about their likes and preferences'. However, one person said 'I am looked after well but I am not aware of a care plan and no one spoke to me about my preferences'. The majority of people we spoke with thought there were not enough activities for them to do. People said 'Mostly I sit in my room or in the conservatory and watch television' and 'There's not a lot of organised activity'.

People we spoke with said they were looked after well. We were told 'If I need help the staff come quickly' and 'The staff are wonderful, they really are helpful'. People told us they had no concerns about the way they were treated. They said 'Nobody treats me badly and I have never witnessed anyone else treated badly'. People told us if they had any concerns they felt they could raise them with the staff or the manager 'If I have a grumble I speak to the person in charge and they sort it out'.

Most people thought the food was good. They told us 'The food is pretty good and they will always find something that suits you'. There was a different set meal for lunch every day, people were only offered an alternative choice if they asked. We observed people being assisted with their meals at lunchtime. Lunch was served to people on trays in the conservatory or taken to their rooms. The interactions between the staff and people living in the home were courteous, caring and friendly. However, we observed that the two care staff that supported people with their lunch in the conservatory were stretched and some of the more vulnerable people had to wait a long time for their meals to be served. The manager and the care staff assured us that this was a rare occurrence due to a combination of factors. Both the manager and the nurse were occupied with unplanned visits from a GP and the home owner. The two care staff also had to support an individual with mobility needs to go to the bathroom in the middle of serving lunch.

People living in the home said they were generally satisfied with the facilities. We were told 'It is very homely here'. All of the bedrooms we visited were clean, tidy and reflected each individual's personalised tastes and interests. Several relatives had returned satisfaction questionnaires and the feedback was generally positive. However, there were some low scores regarding the physical environment (premises and garden), lack of activities and food choices. We observed that the premises were in need of further refurbishment and improvement even though investment had taken place over recent years.