All inspections: Chesswood Lodge - Care Quality Commission

People told us what it was like to live at this home and described how they were treated by staff and their involvement in making choices about their care. They also told us about the quality and choice of food and drink available. This was because this inspection was part of a themed inspection programme to assess whether older people living in care homes are treated with dignity and respect and whether their nutritional needs are met.

The inspection team was led by a CQC inspector joined by an Expert by Experience (people who have experience of using services and who can provide that perspective). We spoke with seven of the people who lived in the home and observed the care and support provided to others who were unable to communicate verbally. We used the Short Observational Framework for Inspection (SOFI). SOFI is a specific way of observing care to help us understand the experience of people who could not talk with us.

People told us that they felt comfortable and safe in the home. They said they liked the staff and found them to be respectful and professional. One person said, 'The staff are very good I think of them as friends and family.' We also spoke with a family member visiting the home who said their relative was safe and well cared for.

However, many people told us there was an overall lack of choice, involvement, and social stimulation. One person said that people 'just do as they're told.' Another person noted, 'I do feel bored here sometimes and get really fed up.' In discussing the food options, another person said, 'It's not very good . . . there's no choice.'

We talked to two people who were able to communicate with us. They said they liked living at Chesswood Lodge and had no complaints about any aspect of the service they received. They said the food was plentiful, varied and of good quality. People said the staff were always kind, patient and attentive. One person told us, 'The home is run very well and I am well cared for.' Although we spoke to other people they were unable to answer our questions due to impaired memory. However, we spent time with them and observed the care they received from staff.

All of the people we spoke with told us that they knew how to make a complaint if they needed to and were confident that the manager would respond appropriately to any concerns that may be raised.

We spoke with staff and they told us about the care they provide to people living at Chesswood Lodge. They also explained how they maintain peoples' dignity and privacy. Staff also told us about the training they have received to enable them to provide the care people need.

The manager discussed peoples' care records with us and the procedure followed for ensuring the level of care provided is regularly reviewed.

These older reports are from our old approaches to inspection, including those from before CQC was created.

Archived: Chesswood Lodge

All Inspections

20 July 2012

During a themed inspection looking at Dignity and Nutrition

30 March 2011 and 30 March 2012

During a routine inspection

Reports under our old system of regulation