Lennox Lodge

Updated 10 March 2021

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.

As part of CQC’s response to care homes with outbreaks of coronavirus, we are conducting reviews to ensure that the Infection Prevention and Control practice was safe and the service was compliant with IPC measures. This was a targeted inspection looking at the IPC practices the provider has in place.

This inspection took place on 25th February 2021 and was announced.

Updated 10 March 2021

About the service

Lennox Lodge is a residential care home providing personal care for older people, male and female, some of whom are living with dementia. The service can support up to 27 people and at the time of the inspection there were 23 people living at the home.

People’s experience of using this service and what we found

People told us they felt safe and were protected from abuse and harm. Staff had received safeguarding training and were able to tell us what constituted abuse and what steps they would take if needed. Staff were aware of the whistleblowing policy. Accidents and incidents were reported and learning taken forward. Fire and other safety checks had been completed and evidence was seen of regular reviews. Risk assessments relevant to people were in place and people were supported safely with their medicines.

Staff training was documented and was up to date. Staff had asked for additional training in some areas and the registered manager had facilitated this. A thorough induction process was in place which involved shadowing more experienced staff members. Staff support continued through regular supervision meetings. People were supported to access health and social care professionals and were supported to maintain a healthy diet. Mental capacity assessments and best interest meetings had taken place where necessary.

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; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

People were treated with dignity and respect and staff were kind to people. A relative said to us, “The staff are brilliant. I don’t know how they do it.” Another relative said, “It is towards the end of her life but it’s like the beginning of a new life for her.” Staff understood people’s day to day care and support needs. People were treated with respect and were encouraged to be independent. People’s privacy and dignity were supported.

The registered manager knew people well and care was person-centred. People were supported to go out on local visits and to use the garden. A variety of activities were available to people to join in with either in a small group or individually. A complaints policy was in place and everyone knew how to raise issues which were then dealt with in a timely and appropriate way. Staff were trained in end of life care and were supported by the registered manager.

The registered manager and staff demonstrated a positive culture and the home was friendly and welcoming. Auditing processes were in place and any trends or errors could be identified and addressed. A new computer system assisted with this process by, for example, sending an alert when medicines had been refused or were late. The home had a positive relationship with professionals that visited the service such as GP’s and district nurses.

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk

Rating at last inspection

Good. (Report published 30 December 2016)

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.

Follow up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.