Norman Lodge

Updated 10 November 2020

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008.

This was a targeted inspection looking at the infection control and prevention measures the provider has in place. As part of CQC’s response to the coronavirus pandemic we are conducting a review of infection control and prevention measures in care homes.

The service had been identified for use by the Local Authority as a designated care setting in response to the Winter Plan for people discharged from hospital with a positive Covid-19 status. This inspection was to ensure that the service was compliant with infection control and prevention measures.

This inspection took place on 20 October 2020 and was announced.

Updated 10 November 2020

About the service:

Norman Lodge provides accommodation and personal care for up to 35 people. Accommodation is provided in four units at ground floor level and each unit has a lounge, dining and kitchen area. Norman Lodge offers a mixture of placements which includes permanent places, rehabilitation, assessment and respite care. There were 29 people using the service when we visited.

People’s experience of using this service:

People told us staff were caring, helpful, and attentive. We saw people were treated with dignity, respect and compassion. People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

People’s healthcare needs were being met and medicines were being stored and managed safely.

Staff knew about people’s dietary needs and preferences. Menus we saw showed people had a good choice of meals and we saw people enjoying their meal. There were plenty of drinks and snacks available for people in between meals.

Activities were on offer to keep people occupied both on a group and individual basis. Visitors were made to feel welcome by staff.

We found the home was clean and tidy. Refurbishment was taking place in one of the units.

Staff were being recruited safely and there were enough staff to take care of people and to keep the home clean. Staff were receiving appropriate training. Staff were supported by the registered manager and were receiving formal supervision where they could discuss their ongoing development needs.

Care plans were up to date and detailed what care and support people wanted and needed. Risk assessments were in place and showed what action had been taken to mitigate identified risks. People felt safe at the home and appropriate referrals were being made to the safeguarding team when this had been necessary.

There was a complaints procedure and people and families spoken with told us they knew how to complain.

Everyone spoke highly of the registered manager and acting manager who they said were approachable and supportive. The provider had effective systems in place to monitor the quality of care provided and where issues were identified, they acted to make improvements.

Rating at last inspection:

At the last inspection we found the service required improvement (report published April 2018)

Why we inspected:

This was a planned inspection by the CQC to find out if the service had improved. At our last inspection on 31 January and 7 February 2018, we found the service required improvement in effective, responsive and well-led domains. This was in breach of Regulation 17 good governance.

At this inspection we found improvements had been made and we now rate the service overall as good.

Follow up:

We will continue to monitor intelligence we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If any concerning information is received, we may inspect sooner.