Background to this inspection
Updated
17 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
One inspector completed this inspection.
Service and service type
Westview Lodge is a care home. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.
The service had a manager 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 was an unannounced inspection.
What we did
We reviewed information we had received about the service, which included details about incidents the provider must notified us about, feedback from the local authority and professionals who work with the service. 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 used all the information to plan our inspection.
During the inspection
We spoke with 11 people who used the service and four relatives to ask about their experience of the care provided. We also used the Short Observational Framework for Inspection (SOFI). SOFI is a way of observing care to help us understand the experience of people who could not talk with us. We spoke with the regional manager, the registered manager, the deputy manager, four senior carers, five care staff, an assistant cook, the administrator and visiting healthcare professionals.
We reviewed a range of records. This included seven people's care records, medication records and various records related to recruitment, staff training and supervision, and the management of the service.
Updated
17 December 2019
About the service
Westview Lodge is a care home which provides residential care for up to 74 people. The service operates a intermediary service for people who need rehabilitation following an illness in hospital or crisis in their own home. It also provides care for older people and people living with a dementia. At the time of our inspection there were 73 people using the service.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
Since the last inspection the regional manager and registered manager had made significant improvements to the operation of the service. Action had been taken to ensure staffing levels had been increased. The care records had been improved and a range of new care record templates had been created for people who used the intermediate service. Hazardous substances were stored and infection control issues had been resolved. They had looked at opportunities to improve every aspect of the service and were committed to improving the service further.
The registered manager and staff demonstrably showed people were valued and respected. Staff had time to place people at the heart of the service. The registered manager had used a local authority grant to improve the environment on the unit for people living with dementia. They had commissioned an external company to make large wall art depicting different parts of Hartlepool. They had purchased old local newspapers and scented flowers to go outside the murals of the local shops. They had also purchased specialist light fittings that looked like windows looking out on the sky. The environment had a calming effect on people and they appeared very relaxed and content.
The registered manager had also created dynamic communal areas such as a bar in one lounge that had a hydration station. People independently and frequently used this to get drinks. Staff had been actively engaged in the projects and supported the registered manager to make positive changes. Staff routinely made ‘mocktails’ and this added to people’s ability to remain appropriately hydrated.
The activities coordinators had developed a wide range of events. They made sure people had a life with meaning and clearly valued each person. Staff actively engaged in enabling people to enjoy a wide range of in-door activities as well as encouraging people to access community resources. The activity coordinators had also forged links in Hartlepool with different groups and business. The local school for people living with disabilities regularly visited. A local printer had enlarged a wide range of old photos of Hartlepool. These were on display throughout the home and were a talking point for people.
Staff were committed to delivering person-centred care. They actively promoted equality and diversity within the home. People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests. We highlighted that staff had not always completed capacity assessments and ‘best interests’ decisions for restrictive practices such as people needing staff to go with them when they went out. The registered manager ensured this matter was addressed immediately.
Staff took steps to safeguard people and promoted their human rights. Incidents were dealt with appropriately and lessons were learnt, which helped to keep people safe. People's health and social care needs were thoroughly assessed. External professionals were involved in individual's care when necessary.
Appropriate recruitment processes were in place. Staff had received a wide range of training and checks were made on the ongoing competency of staff. Appropriate checks were completed prior to people being employed to work at the service.
The cook had received training around meeting people's nutritional needs. Staff effectively supported people to eat a nutritious diet and drink ample fluids. A range of menu choices were available.
The registered manager took appropriate action to deal with any concerns and complaints. The service was well run. The regional manager and registered manager carried out lots of checks to make sure the service was effective. The registered manager constantly looked for ways to improve the service.
For more details, please see the full report which is on CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at last inspection
The last rating for this service was requires improvement (report published 31 October 2018) and there were two breaches of regulation.
The provider completed an action plan after the last inspection to show what they would do and by when to improve. At this inspection we found the service had made sustained improvements and addressed the issues identified at the last inspection.
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection based on the rating at the last inspection.
Follow up
We will continue to monitor intelligence we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If any concerning information is received, we may inspect sooner.