Archived: Loxley Hall

At the last inspection in April 2016, the service was rated as Good. At this inspection we found the service remained Good.

The registered provider had systems in place to ensure the safety of the people who used the service. This included arrangements for identifying, reporting and taking action on any allegations of abuse. This was reinforced through training for staff, staff knowledge and reporting processes. People’s safety was further enhanced through assessments for individuals identifying risks they faced from the environment or from risks associated with their own health and social needs. The registered provider ensured that a system for the safe management of medication was in place and that the premises were well maintained and hygienic.

The registered provider took the requirement of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) and associated safeguards into account. This meant they were working within the law to support and assist people who may lack capacity to make their own decisions. 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 who used the service were supported by a staff team who had received the training and had the knowledge of how to best support them. The nutritional needs of people were met. Consideration was made to the dietary needs of people, their personal preferences and ensuring that those who were at risk of choking could eat safely.

Staff interactions were friendly, caring and supportive. People were supported in a patient and respectful manner. Staff ensured that people were treated as individuals and that their privacy and dignity was taken into account through care practice. People were given information about the care and the support they could be provided with.

Care plans provided staff with the information they need to successfully support people in all aspects of their daily lives. Care plans were reviewed and updated when required. An activities programme was in place with regular activities available to people who used the service. People were complimentary about the activities provided for them.

Information was in place in respect of how people could make a complaint. Complaints records were maintained and concerns responded to in a timely manner.

The registered manager used a variety of methods to assess and monitor the quality of service at Loxley Hall. These included regular audits of the service to gain a view of the quality of the care provided. The registered manager always notified CQC of significant incidents within the service as required.

Further information is in the detailed findings below.

Loxley Hall has been operating as a care home under the ownership of Croftwood Care Ltd since July 2014.

It provides a maximum of 40 places for people who require personal or nursing care. It is situated in the village of Helsby, close to the local amenities. At the time of our inspection 34 people were living at the service.

There was a registered manager in place. 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.

We had not inspected the service since it had changed ownership.

People told us that staff knew them well and responded to their needs quickly. People had been involved in planning the care and support they received from the service. Their needs had been identified, assessed and reviewed on a regular basis. People's care reflected the care that they required and how they wished this to be carried out. Improvement was needed in regards to the completion of documentation relating to wound care to ensure that staff knew what oversight and treatment was required.

People told us that care was delivered by staff that were kind and caring. Relatives of the people who used the service felt welcomed and supported by all of the staff. Staff showed patience, had time for people and treated them with respect. People received care in a dignified manner that protected their privacy. Staff encouraged people to be as independent as possible and offered them choices in their day to day living.

Everyone we spoke with, including people who used the service, their relatives and external professionals said people received care that was personal and individual to them. A wide and varied range of activities was on offer for people to participate in if they wished.

People were protected from the risk of abuse as staff could demonstrate they understood what constituted potential abuse or poor care. Staff knew how to report any concerns and they felt confident the service would address these appropriately.

The CQC is required to monitor the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) 2005 Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) and report on what we find. Mental Capacity Assessments were carried out where key decisions were required and the principles of the MCA had been adhered to. Applications had been made to the supervisory body for consideration under DoLS.

Staff told us they worked as part of a team, that Loxley Hall was a great place to work, that they felt they received good support, morale was excellent and people were happy in their work. Staff received the training they needed to deliver good care. They told us that they received lots of training and were actively encouraged to access any training specific to their job roles and interests.

Staff communicated with others in a respectful and professional manner. The service worked with other healthcare professionals to ensure people's health and wellbeing needs were met. People received prompt medical and wellbeing services and staff assisted people to follow recommendations in relation to their health.

Staff had been employed following appropriate recruitment checks that ensured they were safe to work in health and social care. We saw that staff recruited had the right values and skills to work with people who used the service. Staff rotas showed that the staffing remained at the levels required to ensure all peoples needs were met and helped to keep people safe.

People had confidence in the management team and commented that the registered manager always had her door open. They found the registered manager to be approachable, supportive and available as required. People felt listened to and told us they had confidence that any concerns they may have would be addressed.

The registered manager and registered provider continuously assessed and monitored the quality of the service and actions plans were in place where areas of improvement had been identified. They obtained feedback from people who used the service and their relatives. Records showed that systems for recording and managing complaints, safeguarding concerns and incidents and accidents were managed well.