Archived: Portland Lodge

Updated 13 February 2019

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, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

The inspection took place on 7 and 10 January 2019 and was unannounced. On the first day of the inspection there were two inspectors and on the second day of the inspection, there was one inspector.

Before the inspection, the provider completed a Provider Information Return (PIR). This is a form that asks the provider to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and any improvements they plan to make. We reviewed the information in the PIR, along with other records we held about the service including previous inspection reports and notifications. A notification is information about important events which the provider is required to tell the Care Quality Commission about by law.

We spoke with eight people living at the home and four family members. We spoke with the registered manager, the deputy manager, three care staff, a domestic staff member and the cook. We also received feedback from three visiting healthcare professionals. We looked at care plans and associated records for six people, records relating to staff recruitment, training and support, records of accidents and incidents, policies and procedures and quality assurance.

The home was last inspected in July 2016 when it was rated as ‘Good’ overall.

Updated 13 February 2019

The inspection took place on 07 and 10 January 2019 and was unannounced.

Portland 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.

Portland Lodge provides accommodation for up to 19 people and supports older people, some of whom are living with dementia or a mental health need. At the time of our inspection, there were 18 people living in the service.

There was a registered manager at the home. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

At our last inspection, in July 2016, the service was rated as Good. At this inspection, we found the service remained Good overall, however we found evidence that some areas of the service were in need of improvement. You can see more about these findings in the Safe section of the report.

The risk of infection was not always managed safely. Appropriate hand washing facilities were not in place in the laundry room and the condition of the flooring in two communal bathrooms meant they could not be cleaned effectively.

Environmental risks had not always been considered and risk assessments were not always completed to reduce the risk of harm to people.

People felt safe living at Portland Lodge. Staff knew how to keep people safe and how to identify, prevent and report abuse. They engaged appropriately with the local safeguarding authority.

Systems were in place to ensure the safe management of medicines. People were supported to receive their medicines by staff who had been trained appropriately and medicine administration records were completed accurately.

Thorough staff recruitment checks were carried out when a new staff member started working for the service. There were enough staff available to keep people safe and staffing levels were monitored by the registered manager.

Staff received a variety of training and demonstrated knowledge, skill and competence to support people effectively. Staff were supported appropriately by the registered manager and deputy manager.

People had access to health and social care professionals where required and staff worked together co-operatively and efficiently.

Procedures were in place to help ensure that people received consistent support when they moved between services.

People were supported by staff with their nutritional and hydration needs. People were offered choice at mealtimes and menus contained a variety of nutritious and healthy foods. Where people had specific dietary requirements, this was well documented and staff were aware of how to meet these needs.

People were cared for with kindness and compassion. Staff had developed positive relationships with people and knew what mattered most to them.

Staff took action to protect people’s dignity and privacy and encouraged people to be independent with all aspects of their daily routines where possible.

People had a clear, detailed and person-centred care plan in place, which guided staff on the most appropriate way to support them.

People could take part in activities which reflected their interests and provided mental and physical stimulation, as well as opportunities to be part of the local community.

People, their relatives, visitors and staff members commented positively on the leadership of the service and felt that the service was well-led. The provider was engaged with the running of the service and was approachable to people and staff.

Staff were organised, motivated and worked well as a team. They felt supported and valued by the registered manager.

There was an open culture in which people, visitors and staff were encouraged to given feedback about the service.