Chalfont Lodge

On this page

• Overview
• Assessing needs
• Delivering evidence-based care and treatment
• How staff, teams and services work together
• Supporting people to live healthier lives
• Monitoring and improving outcomes
• Consent to care and treatment

Effective – this means we looked for evidence that people’s care, treatment and support achieved good outcomes and promoted a good quality of life, based on best available evidence.

At our last assessment we rated this key question Requires Improvement. At this assessment the rating has changed to Good.

This meant people’s outcomes were consistently good, and people’s feedback confirmed this.

This service scored 75 (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 made sure people’s care and treatment was effective by assessing and reviewing their health, care, well-being and communication needs with them prior to them moving into the home to ensure these could be met safely. People and their relatives, where appropriate had been involved in planning their care and reviews.

People’s care records were person centred. An assessment of people’s needs included communication, health, emotional well-being and mobility. People’s personal information, likes, dislikes and preferences were also recorded. One relative told us, “I was involved in assessing [person’s] needs. I think my input was valuable and they certainly listened to me.”

People had regular check-ups with health and social care professionals to support them to achieve positive outcomes. Guidance for staff from professionals was recorded in the care plans

Staff demonstrated a good knowledge of people’s needs and told us they were kept up to date about any changes.

Care plans were regularly reviewed to ensure they reflected any changes in people’s needs or preferences.

The provider planned and delivered people’s care and treatment with them, including what was important and mattered to them. They did this in line with legislation and current evidence-based good practice and standards.

The provider used recognised assessment tools to help determine the most appropriate care and treatment people required.

People’s dietary needs and preferences were recorded in their care plan, and staff were knowledgeable about people’s dietary needs.

Food was home cooked on the premises, kitchen staff prepared food and drinks for people in line with their assessed needs, whilst also considering people’s preferences and choices. People were able to choose what they wanted to eat from the menu. People told us they enjoyed the food. One person said, “The food is mostly good”. A relative commented, “He [person] is fed proper food, today it is spring roll, roast beef and Ice Cream. There is always a choice too.”

We observed people having lunch in the dining room and found the mealtime experience was relaxed. Staff asked each person individually what they would like to eat, and some people were shown the meals to help them make their choice. For people who required assistance with eating, staff provided this to people in a dignified and unhurried way.

The provider always worked well across teams and services to support people. They shared thorough assessments of people’s needs when they moved between different services, so people only needed to tell their story once.

Visiting professionals, GPs and therapists provided information and guidance for staff which was recorded in people’s care plans. Staff maintained a record of their visit and outcomes. A visiting healthcare professional told us, “I have been coming here for 5 yrs. I love it here; it is a very caring home. Staff are brilliant, they follow our guidance 100%.” Another stated, “We have a great working relationship with the staff, they are all very professional. Communication is very good between us. I wish all homes I visit were like this place, our job would be so much easier.” A third professional added, “I have found the management and staff to be very responsive to my suggestions. I think we work well together.”

People spoke with us about access to healthcare professionals. One person said, “We are really lucky here with the access to a professional team. We have access to a GP, and we have had visits from both hearing aid companies and eye and spectacle specialists.”

A regular GP to the home stated, ‘I have worked with Chalfont Lodge since 1997, and throughout that time I have greatly valued the close relationship between Chalfont Lodge and the practice. It has always been built on trust, good communication and a shared commitment to providing the best possible care for residents [people] and support for their families.

People also told us they had access to external health a social care resources such as dentists and opticians.

The provider supported people to manage their health and well-being to maximise their independence, choice and control. Staff supported people to live healthier lives and where possible, reduce their future needs for care and support.

The provider ensured relevant referrals were made when there may be underlying health issues that needed additional support. For example, people with diabetes were referred to the GP for health checks.

We observed staff supporting people to manage their health and well-being. Staff encouraged people to spend time in communal areas engaging with other people, to help support their emotional well-being.

The provider employed activity staff to help facilitate and deliver a range of activities for people throughout the week, including weekends. The service also employed a music therapist, who used music to help people with dementia. One person told us, “They [staff] play lots of music from the 1960’s, 1970’s and 1980’s lots of us know all the words.”

People’s care and treatment was routinely monitored to help ensure needs were met and care could be improved. Outcomes for people were consistent and met their expectations.

The provider ensured outcomes were positive and consistent, and they met both clinical expectations and the expectations of people themselves.

People and relatives were happy with the service provided, and felt staff monitored people’s needs well. One person said, “They [staff] certainly keep an eye on things and notice any changes.”

People were supported to have control over day-to-day choices. Staff were patient with people, giving them time to make their own choices. People and families were involved in core decisions about their care.

The Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) provides a legal framework for making particular decisions on behalf of people who may lack the mental capacity to do so for themselves. Staff had received training regarding the MCA and policies were in line with the principles of the MCA. Mental capacity assessments and best interest decisions were in place as required.

We spoke with staff about the MCA and consent. Their comments included, “We focus on implied consent, and we use techniques like showing them things, two different outfits, to minimize overwhelming choices” and “They [people] all have the right to refuse care. It might be the wrong time for them to receive care. They might not feel comfortable. We have to try again later and have a chat to resolve why.”