Background to this inspection
Updated
6 December 2019
The inspection
We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (the Act) as part of our regulatory functions. We checked whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act. We looked at the overall quality of the service and provided a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.
Inspection team
The inspection team consisted of one inspector. We inspected on 20 November 2019.
Service and service type
Sands Lodge is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.
The service had a manager who was registered with the Care Quality Commission. This means that they and the provider are legally responsible for how the service is run and for the quality and safety of the care provided.
Notice of inspection
This inspection was unannounced.
What we did before the inspection
Before the inspection, the provider completed a Provider Information Return (PIR). We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return. This is information providers are required to send us with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. This information helps support our inspections. We reviewed previous reports and notifications that are held on the CQC database. Notifications are important events that the service must let the CQC know about by law. We also reviewed safeguarding alerts and information received from a local authority. We used all this information to plan our inspection.
During the inspection
We spoke with eight people and observed interactions with staff. We spoke with the registered manager and three care workers. We reviewed three care files, medication records and information held in relation to the running of the service such as audits, survey results, meeting minutes and two staff files.
Updated
6 December 2019
About the service
Sands Lodge is a residential care home providing personal care without nursing for up to eighteen people with mental health issues. At the time of inspection eighteen people were using the service. The service is set over three levels with large gardens in a residential area.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
People told us they were happy living at the service. One person said, “The staff are marvellous.” Another person said, “The manager is the best, very good.”
Care and treatment were planned and delivered in a way that was intended to ensure people's safety and welfare. People were cared for safely by staff who had been recruited and employed after appropriate checks had been completed. Staff had received appropriate training. There were systems in place to minimise the risk of infection and to learn lessons from accidents and incidents. Medication was administered by staff who had received training to do so.
The registered manager had a good understanding of their responsibilities in relation to the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards. 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 support this practice.
People were supported to eat and drink enough to ensure they maintained a balanced diet and referrals to other health professionals were made when required. The environment was well maintained and suitable for people.
Staff cared for people in an empathetic and kind manner. Staff had a good understanding of people’s preferences of care. Staff promoted people’s independence through encouraging and supporting people to make informed choices.
People and their relatives and advocates were involved in the planning and review of their care. Care plans were reviewed on a regular basis. People were supported to follow their interests and participate in social activities. The registered manager responded to complaints received in a timely manner. People were supported to make plans for the end of their life.
The registered manager had systems in place to monitor and provide good care and these were reviewed on a regular basis.
Rating at last inspection The last rating for this service was Good (last report published 03/06/2017).
Why we inspected This was a comprehensive inspection.
You can read the report from our last comprehensive inspection, by selecting the ‘all reports’ link for Sands Lodge on our website at www.cqc.org.uk.