Archived: Blackburn Lodge

We found the following examples of good practice.

Visiting arrangements followed government guidance. Visitors telephoned to arrange a time; they were asked to complete a COVID-19 test before entering the service.

Visitors could spend time with their loved one in private and there was no time restriction. There were additional arrangements for visitors if there was a COVID-19 outbreak within the service. This included a separate room with direct access from the outside, so visitors did not come into the service.

Plans were in place to isolate people with COVID-19 to reduce the risk of transmission. There were enough supplies of personal protective equipment (PPE) throughout the service that staff could access quickly.

Staff had received training in infection control to keep people safe. Staff completed regular testing for COVID-19 in line with government guidance.

The building was clean and odour-free.

Staff had imaginatively supported people to maintain relationships following guidance. There had been a virtual tea party when people and their relatives enjoyed drinks and cakes using social media to see each other. A cinema room had been created with themed film shows to help people socialise when visiting from relatives was significantly restricted. Also, people had been supported to celebrate the lives of some residents who had died by attending an in-memoriam service.

Blackburn Lodge is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing and personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection. Blackburn Lodge provides accommodation and support for up to 35 older people. The service provided respite care for people as well as permanent accommodation and care. Respite care is a short term solution for people whose main carers need a break to be able to take a holiday or attend to personal business. The service also provided a reablement service for people, with a three week stay. Reablement is a short and intensive service to help people regain their independence and confidence to continue living in their own homes. This service is offered to people who are frail and recovering from an illness or injury. There were 24 people living at the service at the time of our inspection. People had varying care needs. Some people had diabetes or had epilepsy or suffered a stroke, some people required support with their mobility around the home and others were able to walk independently.

At our last inspection on 21 May 2016, we rated the service good. At this inspection we found the evidence continued to support the rating of good and there was no evidence or information from our inspection and ongoing monitoring that demonstrated serious risks or concerns. This inspection report is written in a shorter format because our overall rating of the service has not changed since our last inspection.

A registered manager was employed at the service and had been in the position since the last inspection. 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.

Staff continued to be aware of their responsibilities in keeping people safe and reporting any suspicions of abuse. Staff knew what the reporting procedures were and were confident their concerns would be listened to.

Individual risks were identified and steps continued to be taken to reduce and control risk. Staff had the guidance they needed to support people to maintain and improve their independence while at the same time preventing harm. Accidents and incidents were appropriately recorded by staff; action was taken and followed up by the registered manager.

The procedures for the administration of people’s prescribed medicines was still managed and recorded appropriately so people received their medicines as intended. Regular audits of medicines were undertaken to ensure safe procedures continued to be followed and action was taken when errors were made.

The registered manager and senior team leader carried out a comprehensive initial assessment with people before they moved in to the service, either for long term care, short term respite or reablement. People were fully involved in the assessment, together with their relatives where appropriate. Care plans were developed and regularly updated and reviewed to take into account people’s changing needs. People’s specific needs were taken account of and addressed in care planning to ensure equality of access to services.

People had access to a range of activities to choose from. Some people preferred their own company and pursued their own interests such as reading or watching TV and this was respected by staff. People were asked their views of the service and action was taken to make improvements where necessary.

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 supported this practice.

People were complimentary about the food and snacks available and there was plenty of variety and choice at mealtimes. People told us they had access to plenty of drinks throughout the day. People’s specific dietary needs were known about and catered for.

People were supported to gain access to health care professionals when they needed advice or treatment. The registered manager had developed good relationships with local health care professionals and referred people when they needed. A team was available in house to provide the reablement service in conjunction with other health care professionals.

There continued to be clear evidence of the caring approach of staff. People and their relatives were overwhelmingly happy about the staff who supported them, describing them as caring and responsive and saying they were confident in the care they received. Staff knew people well and were able to respond to their needs on an individual basis.

Suitable numbers of staff were available to provide the individualised care and support people were assessed as requiring. The provider continued to make sure safe recruitment practices were followed so only suitable staff were employed to work with people who required care and support.

Staff continued to be supported well by the registered manager and their senior team. Staff told us they were approachable and listened to their views and suggestions. Training was up to date and staff were encouraged to pursue their personal development. Staff continued to have the opportunity to take part in one to one supervision meetings to support their success in their role. Regular staff meetings were held to aid communication within the team and to provide updates and feedback.

All the appropriate maintenance of the premises and servicing of equipment was carried out at suitable intervals.

Quality auditing processes were in place to check the safety and quality of the service provided. Action was taken where improvements were needed.

People and their relatives thought the service was well run. People knew the registered manager well and were very happy with the service provided.

Further information is in the detailed findings below.

Blackburn Lodge is a service provided by a local authority. The service provides accommodation and personal care for up to 35 older people and short term care supporting people to regain their independence with input from other health and social care professionals. They also provide care so that people’s main carers have ‘respite’ time. In addition to the short term care and support, the service provides care and support to nine people who live permanently at the service. There is a day care centre on the ground floor of the premises. People who live in the service are accommodated on the first floor of the building. At the time of the inspection, 34 people were living at the service.

The service had a registered manager. 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.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) monitors the operation of the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) which applies to care homes. The registered manager understood when an application should be made. They were aware of the Supreme Court Judgement which widened and clarified the definition of a deprivation of liberty. The service was meeting the requirements of the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards.

People were protected against the risk of abuse. People told us they felt safe. Staff had been trained and recognised the signs of abuse or neglect and what to look out for. Both the registered manager and staff understood their role and responsibilities to report any concerns and were confident in doing so.

Staff were recruited using procedures designed to protect people from unsuitable staff. There were sufficient numbers of staff to meet people’s needs. Staff were available throughout the day, and responded quickly to people’s requests for help. Staff had the knowledge and skills to meet people’s needs, and attended regular training courses. Staff were supported by the registered manager and felt able to raise any concerns they had or to make suggestions to improve the service for people.

Staff were trained to meet people’s needs. They met with management and discussed their work performance at one to one meetings and during annual appraisal, so they were supported to carry out their roles.

People demonstrated that they were happy at the service by smiling and chatting with staff who were supporting them and greeting the registered manager warmly. Staff interacted well with people, and supported them when they needed it.

There were risk assessments in place for the environment, and for each person who received care. Assessments identified people’s specific needs, and showed how risks could be minimised. There were systems in place to review accidents and incidents and make any relevant improvements as a result.

People and their relatives were involved in planning their own care, and staff supported them in making arrangements to meet their health needs. Staff contacted other health and social care professionals for support and advice.

Medicines were managed, stored, disposed of and administered safely. People received their medicines when they needed them and as prescribed.

People were provided with a diet that met their needs and wishes. Menus offered variety and choice. People said they liked the food. Staff respected people and we saw several instances of a kindly touch or a joke and conversation as drinks or the lunch was served.

Staff encouraged people to undertake activities and supported them to become more independent. Staff spent time engaging people in conversations, and spoke to them politely and respectfully.

The provider and the registered manager investigated and responded to people’s complaints. People knew how to raise any concerns and relatives were confident that the registered manager dealt with them appropriately and resolved them where possible.

There were systems in place to obtain people’s views about the service. These included formal and informal meetings; events; questionnaires; and daily contact with the registered manager and staff.

The provider and registered manager regularly assessed and monitored the quality of care to ensure standards were met and maintained. The providers and registered manager understood the requirements of their registration with the Commission.

People said that they liked living at Blackburn Lodge. We observed people being involved in discussions about the help they needed and their preferred day to day routines. We saw that people had enough to do and could join in with activities if they wanted to. We observed that the staff were kind, caring and on hand to help when needed.

Comments from completed surveys undertaken by the service in 2013 included 'They are wonderful I cannot say any more than that, I am very happy here', 'Provides good care and food', 'I have been so happy here, so much love and care' and 'Blackburn Lodge has created a comfortable and caring respite which shows in the happy life led here by people who are well attended in all respects'.

People were asked for their consent before any care or treatment was given.

People received care and support that was well planned and sensitively delivered.

Medicines were handled appropriately and people who used the service had their medicines given to them in a safe way.

We found that there was a robust recruitment process in place that helped to make sure that only people who were deemed as suitable were employed to care for people that used the service.

Effective quality assurance procedures ensured that people were provided with a good service.