Archived: White Lodge Residential Home

Below is a summary of what we found. The summary describes what people using the service, their relatives and the staff told us, what we observed and the records we looked at. The home could accommodate 13 people and, when we visited, there were six people living in the home.

We spoke with three people living in the home and with two of their relatives. We looked in detail at three care plans. We spoke with the registered manager, a senior carer and two carers.

If you want to see the evidence that supports our summary please read the full report.

Is the service safe?

The manager conducted assessments of need to ensure the right level of care was available and staff were guided in their work by detailed care plans. Care and treatment was planned and delivered in a way that was intended to ensure people's safety and welfare. Staff were trained and competent to deliver a safe level of care. This meant people were receiving a safe service.

CQC monitors the operation of the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards which applies to care homes. While no applications have needed to be submitted, proper policies and procedures were in place. Relevant staff have been trained to understand when an application should be made, and how to submit one.

Is the service effective?

We found that staff had received appropriate training and frequent supervisions to ensure that their skills were up to date and appropriate to the needs of the people living at the home. This included regular updates in areas such as manual handling, first aid and fire safety. In addition, there was additional training in areas such as dementia.

Staff were using effective practices for example, to prevent falls. We also found care staff sought advice, where appropriate, from senior care staff, the manager and from other health care professionals. The home was providing an effective service.

Is the service caring?

We saw how the staff offered a caring service for people living in the home and that they were considerate and sensitive. One person who lived in the home said, "The staff are so nice, I couldn't be happier".

One relative we spoke with said, 'We are very impressed. Her quality of life has improved since she moved into the home.'

Is the service responsive?

We saw that staff responded promptly to call bells and helped people with eating, drinking and moving about the home. We found evidence in the care plans that staff contacted appropriate healthcare professionals when required and informed relatives of any changes.

The provider invited and listened to feedback and made changes where they were reasonably practical. Recent changes had included changing seating arrangements in the dining room. People we spoke with said they enjoyed the food and drink and we saw that the food they received suited their individual needs. The provider was responsive to the needs of people living in the home.

Is the service well-led?

The home was well managed with a qualified team of professional care staff. The staff we spoke with said that they felt supported in their work.

The provider conducted a regular independent audit of the service and was working through an action log to continually improve standards. There was also an annual survey to take feedback and suggestions from people who lived in the home and their relatives. Feedback from the relatives we spoke with was positive and the people living in the home told us they were happy with the care they received.

People said their health care needs were well met and they saw health professionals when they needed to. Individual care plans and risk assessments were in place and were reviewed regularly to minimise identified risks to people. People were involved in reviewing their care plans with their keyworkers.

People told us the home was kept clean and tidy and that they were happy with their rooms. All areas of the home were well decorated, furnished and maintained.

People told us that staff were respectful, treated them in a dignified way and that they knew the staff who supported them. One person told us 'I certainly am looked after very well' and 'they would do anything I asked'. People said staff understood that they liked to keep as independent as they could. A relative said a person had regained some independence and confidence since moving to the home.

People and relatives knew who to speak with if they had any concerns or complaints. The home had a clear complaints policy; it had not received any complaints.

People said the service was homely, comfortable and peaceful. They said it was always clean and tidy and they liked their rooms. People told us they felt very safe and knew who to speak with if they were not happy with anything. One person said, 'I would not want to be anywhere else' and another said, "It's such a calm and peaceful home".

People said that their healthcare needs were well met and they saw health professionals when they needed to. They said staff adjusted their support if they were unwell to make sure they had the care and attention they needed.

People said there were enough activities on offer and they attended them if they chose to.

People said they were asked for their views about the service at resident's meetings and staff spoke with them individually to check if they were satisfied with everything. People said that the service responded to any issues they raised and we saw records that confirmed action was taken in response to their views when it needed to be.