Valley Lodge Care Home

Updated 27 February 2025

Date of Assessment: 12 March to 27 March 2025. The service is a residential service providing support to older people living with dementia.

At the previous inspection the service was in breach of 6 regulations relating to safeguarding, safe care and treatment, consent, person-centred care, governance and notifications. At our last inspection, the location was rated requires improvement, at this inspection our judgement remains the same.

At this inspection we found whilst the issues previously identified at the last inspection relating to safe care and treatment, person-centred care and governance had been met. We found new issues, which meant the service continued to be in breach of these 3 regulations. The provider had not ensured all aspects of medicines records were either complete or provided enough guidance for staff. We noted some aspects of the cleaning of the home needed attention. The provider did not always ensure people were central to all decisions and information was not always accessible to people. Although people’s records were accurate, they were incomplete.

At this inspection we found sufficient improvements had been made in relation to safeguarding, consent and notifications and the service was no longer in breach of these 3 regulations. People said they felt safe, and staff reported incidents and potential safeguarding concerns. Staff ensured the required applications were made where people were subject to any restrictions. Staff understood the application of the Mental Capacity Act (2005) in relation to their role. People’s consent forms were signed by those who were authorised to do so. Staff had submitted notifications of significant events to CQC.

People were not always provided with enough social stimulation. We saw not all staff responded quickly to people’s needs at times, whilst other staff did. We saw that although a lot of work had taken place to improve the culture of the service, further work was required.

The provider had processes to ensure people received continuity of care when they moved between services. People were consulted where possible about how they wanted risks to be managed. People’s care was provided by sufficient numbers of trained staff who had been recruited safely.

People’s care needs were assessed using evidence-based tools and their care was reviewed regularly. People were referred to external health professionals when needed.

People were treated with kindness and compassion by staff, who treated them as individuals.

The provider sought people’s views, and their feedback was used to improve the service. People were supported by staff to plan for life changes.

The provider had made changes to the management structure since the last inspection and leaders had been making the required improvements but needed further time. The provider had processes in place to enable staff to speak out if required.

We have asked the provider for an action plan in response to the concerns found at this assessment.

Updated 27 February 2025

People and relatives provided mixed feedback. People and relatives all agreed staff wore the personal protective equipment provided and regular cleaning took place. People and relatives gave mixed feedback about the cleanliness of the service and some relatives told us cleaning was not always completed as quickly as needed. Some people and relatives reported there was not enough to do, particularly at weekends. Relatives said, “I wish there was more going on. “There seems to be an awful lot of sitting around doing nothing, particularly at the weekends. It seems like everyone is just sat.” Whilst others felt there was enough to do, saying, “We’ve been here when they had singing and doing balloon football. They’re always trying to do something.”

People and their visitors were pleased with the care overall. Relatives said staff were kind and patient and that although people’s behaviours could be challenging, staff were patient with them. Relatives told us staff informed them if their loved one had a fall and said action was taken to minimise the risk of it happening again. Relatives told us there were enough staff and they said staff training took place regularly. People told us staff managed their medicines well.

Relatives said people’s care needs were assessed prior to them moving in and told us staff ensured care was reviewed regularly. Relatives said, “Yes, as things change so does the care.” People were generally complimentary about the food. People told us, “The food is good. They give you a choice.” Relatives told us their loved ones were provided with a special diet if needed and had put on weight.

People and relatives felt staff understood peoples’ care needs and treated them as individuals. A relative said, “They talk to [person]. Hold [person’s] hand and it’s obvious that they regard them very much as a person” and “They understand [person’s] needs well. Nothing is too much trouble.”

Relatives told us they received regular updates about their loved one. No-one had any concerns about not being treated fairly. Relatives told us they had been involved in decisions about their lived one’s future care.