Aniska Lodge

On this page

• Overview
• Kindness, compassion and dignity
• Treating people as individuals
• Independence, choice and control
• Responding to people’s immediate needs
• Workforce wellbeing and enablement

Caring – this means we looked for evidence that the provider involved people and treated them with compassion, kindness, dignity and respect.

At our last assessment we rated this key question good. At this assessment the rating has remained good.

This meant people were supported and treated with dignity and respect; and involved as partners in their care.

This service scored 80 (out of 100) for this area. Find out what we look at when we assess this area and How we calculate these scores.

The provider always treated people with kindness, empathy and compassion and respected their privacy and dignity. Staff treated colleagues from other organisations with kindness and respect.

People received care and support from staff who knew them well. Staff were skilled in talking to people and established a rapport. The relationships between staff and people receiving support demonstrated dignity and respect. Staff spoke fondly about the people they supported. A staff member told us, “It is so rewarding [working here] when you get people’s trust. If they hold your hand, it is so so good.”

Throughout our visit staff interacted with people in a warm and friendly manner. It was evident that people were comfortable in the presence of staff. People described the staff as, “Very kind and caring.” One person told us, “I have everything I need. They [staff] get me.”

Staff told us they got on well with each other and the people living at Aniska. A staff member said, “We [staff] all work together. We keep people safe and do our best for people” Another staff member told us, “We are a good team, we are like a family.”

Feedback from visiting healthcare professionals included, ‘All the staff know the people well and I always receive numerous compliments about the staff when speaking to service users on how kind, caring, empathetic, compassionate and respectful the staff are.’

Feedback from a visitor included, ‘Aniska lodge always provides such a warm, welcoming, home-like environment. I personally love witnessing the relationship between staff and residents and residents’ families. I have nothing but good things to share about Aniska Lodge.’

The provider treated people as individuals and made sure people’s care, support and treatment met people’s needs and preferences. They took account of people’s strengths, abilities, aspirations, culture and unique backgrounds and protected characteristics.

We saw people were free to spend time doing the things they enjoyed, and staff supported and encouraged them to be involved in social activities that were available.

Staff focused their attention on providing support to people in a way in which was personalised to them. We saw people were engaged, smiling and chatting. Staff knew what people could do for themselves and areas where support was needed. People told us that they received the care they wanted and were happy with the care received. They told us, “They help me shower and wash my hair. It’s my choice.” And, “They treat me as an individual.”

Visitors were able to visit without restrictions. A relative told us, “I visit a lot. I am always welcome. I have no concerns.”

Feedback from visiting healthcare professionals included, ‘The service users and staff appear engaged with each other and visitors are always assisted. One of Aniska Lodge’s asset is an excellent activities team to support people with engaging and cognitively stimulating events. The activities and care team go above and beyond their line of duty for the peoples’ well-being and safety.’

The provider promoted people’s independence, so people knew their rights and had choice and control over their own care, treatment and wellbeing.

Staff knew people well and were knowledgeable about how to promote people’s choice and independence. Feedback from people and their relatives about choice and control was positive. Throughout our time at Aniska, we saw people were able to choose where they went and how they spent their time.

The provider had a strong ethos regarding promoting people’s dignity and independence. There was guidance in people’s care plans to enable staff to support in a least restrictive way and promote independence, choice and control as much as possible. Feedback from visiting healthcare professionals included, ‘Feedback I receive from families of loved ones placed at Aniska Lodge is consistently positive.’

The provider listened to and understood people’s needs, views and wishes. Staff responded to people’s needs in the moment and acted to minimise any discomfort, concern or distress.

People said staff were responsive to their needs. Throughout our visit we saw staff were attentive and responsive to people’s needs and requests. Call bells were answered promptly by staff who were caring and empathic.

People were encouraged to share their views and had the opportunity to express their needs and wishes.

Staff used a person-centred approach. They were knowledgeable about potential risks to people and gave examples of possible triggers and action they took to support people.

The provider always cared about and promoted the wellbeing of their staff, and was exceptional at supporting and enabling staff to always deliver person-centred care.

Staff spoke positively about working at Aniska. Feedback from staff included, ‘My experience working at this service has been always positive. The management team is approachable, transparent and cares about staff wellbeing.’ Staff had access to regular supervisions where they could raise any concerns they may have. They also had regular staff meetings where ideas could be shared to promote good well-being of staff. Staff were supported to complete a range of training appropriate to the needs of the people they supported. Feedback from staff included, ‘It is a pleasure to provide care to the people who need it in this environment.’

Staff spoke positively about information sharing at Aniska. They said they had a comprehensive handover where they were enabled to discuss and share their views. Feedback from staff included, ‘The staff at Aniska lodge have become a second family for me. Issues and differences of opinion are always addressed quickly and with everyone’s opinion in mind.’ Additional feedback from staff detailed the support they received from the management. Staff gave us specific examples regarding the support, respect and understanding they had received.