Archived: Noble Lodge

The person we spoke with said that the staff were "nice". This person told us they had choices and were free to come and go as they wanted. They said that the staff asked them about their wishes and tried to meet these. For example, this person regularly attended church. During our inspection, we saw that the staff interacted in a friendly and respectful way with people using the service.

The person we spoke with said they had lots of opportunities to go out and about. We spoke to staff and reviewed the home's records which confirmed this. For example, people enjoyed going shopping and attending keep-fit classes. There were themed Bollywood video nights at the home. The home also organised trips out to restaurants or special events to celebrate people's birthdays. However, people's attendance at local day centre sessions had been limited by the withdrawal of a free transport service. People were disappointed about this.

Since the last inspection, the provider had redecorated the lounge and one person said they liked the wallpaper saying: "It makes the home look homely". We saw that some areas of the premises needed improvement but people currently living at the home did not use these areas.

The person we spoke with said they felt safe at the home. They said they could always talk to the staff if they had any problems or concerns and felt involved in the decisions about the running of the home.

We observed people moving freely throughout the home, two residents were wearing their coats although they were not due to go out until a few hours later, and insisted on keeping them on when we asked them about this. The manager advised that this was a common behaviour when she told them about a trip out later in the day.

When asked about their bedroom, which had been recently decorated, one person noted 'I chose the colours ' I told him to buy these,' (pointing at the curtains.) Others confirmed that their bedrooms had been redecorated this year, and had new furniture that they had chosen themselves.

Residents spoke highly about the support provided by staff at the home, describing them as 'very good' and caring. They said that staff asked them what their needs and wishes are, and try to meet these as far as possible. Most people felt that there are sufficient activities available to them, and have the opportunity to go outside the home when they wish. One person noted 'we went strawberry picking in the summer, and I went to visit my mother in Worthing ' she's 103.' However some residents were concerned about the imminent closure of their daycentres, and what this would mean for them.

Residents appeared to enjoy the food at the home; one person noted 'I had lunch at home, it was good. 'They advised that they were able to choose what to eat, and residents were seen going in and out of the kitchen to help themselves to snacks throughout the visit. One person noted 'I went out for lunch at the caf' today ' had a beef curry ' it was very nice.'

People felt that staff did their best to protect their privacy and always treated them with respect. Most felt that staff listened to them and offered them choices about their care as far as possible, including activities they might wish to engage in. They confirmed that they received their medication at the prescribed times, and appropriate medication was observed during the visit.

Residents were clear about who they could speak to if they had a complaint or felt at risk of harm.