Archived: Russley Lodge

At the last inspection the service was rated good. At this inspection we found the service remained good.

People continued to remain safe as staff knew how to recognise and respond to concerns of ill-treatment and abuse. There were enough staff to support people to meet their needs. The provider followed safe recruitment procedures when employing new staff members. People had their medicines when they needed them and were assisted by trained and competent staff.

People were assisted by a staff team who had the skills and training to effectively support them. They continued to receive care that was effective and personalised to their individual needs and preferences.

People were supported to have choice and control over their lives. They were assisted by staff in the least restrictive way possible. Staff were aware of current guidance which informed their practice and people’s rights were protected by the staff who supported them.

People received support that continued to be caring and respectful.

People’s privacy and dignity was respected by those providing assistance. People were supported at times of upset and distress.

People had care and support plans that continued to reflect their personal needs and preferences. When changes occurred in people’s personal and medical circumstances, these plans were reviewed to reflect the changes.

Staff members knew people’s likes and dislikes and supported them in the manner they preferred. People and their relatives were encouraged to raise any concerns or complaints. The provider had systems in place to address any issues raised with them.

Russley Lodge continued to be well-led by a management team that people and staff found approachable and supportive. People were involved in decisions about their care and support and their suggestions were valued by the provider.

Staff members felt valued as employees and their opinions and ideas were listened to by the provider. The provider had systems in place to monitor the quality of service they provided and where necessary made changes to drive improvements.

Further information is in the detailed findings below.

We spoke with three people who lived at the home and two visitors who all told us that they were happy with the care and support provided. Comments we received included; 'The staff know me very well', 'They know what I like and don't like', 'I'd say they look after me properly' and 'They know how to care for (my family member.)'

' Is the service safe?

' Is the service effective?

' Is the service caring?

' Is the service responsive?

' Is the service well-led?

Below is a summary of what we found.

Is the service safe?

People told us they felt safe. One person said, 'I feel very safe living here, the staff know me and look after me very well.'

People were cared for in an environment which was generally clean and hygienic, although we did find an area of the home not used by people living there was in need of attention and materials to be removed from a bathroom.

At the time of the inspection, there were no people in the home subject to Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards.

We found there were concerns with the medication procedures which put people at risk of harm. We have asked the provider to tell us what they are going to do to meet the requirements of the law in relation to management of medicines.

The home had emergency procedures in place to keep people safe from harm, including appropriate fire evacuation procedures for each person living there.

Is the service effective?

People told us that they were happy with the care they received and that their needs were met. It was clear from our observations and from speaking with staff that staff had a good understanding of the people's care and support needs and that they knew them well. Staff had received training to meet the needs of the people living at the home.

The provider had been given an action at our last inspection to make improvements to people's care records, including for example; care plans and risk assessments. We found that these improvements had not been completed. We have asked the provider to tell us what they are going to do to meet the requirements of the law in relation to maintenance of accurate records for people living in the home.

Visitors told us that they were able to visit whenever they liked and staff were always helpful.

Is the service caring?

We saw care workers were patient and gave reassurance when supporting people. People told us they were able to do things at their own pace and were not rushed. Our observations confirmed this. One person told us, 'It's great here, I am very happy and people care about me.' We asked two relatives and carers if they had any concerns about the care provided by the home and they told us that were happy with the care provided. One relative or carer said, 'I have been coming here for years and have never seen anything of concern, the staff are very caring.'

Is the service responsive?

People's needs had been assessed before they moved into the home. One relative told us the home had helped to arrange an appointment for additional health care needs to be addressed.

One person told us they attended meetings for people living in the home. They told us staff listened to them and helped them with anything they had comments or concerns about. Staff told us, 'People have appointed a spokesperson to help them speak out at meetings, as some people are shy.'

People had access to activities important to them and were supported to maintain relationships with their friends and relatives.

Is the service well-led?

Staff had a good understanding of the ethos of the home and quality assurance processes were in place. Additionally, a monthly medication audit was to be implemented immediately after the inspection after some concerns were highlighted with the management of medication.

We found that action was required from the previous inspection which had not yet been completed. We have asked the provider to tell us what they are going to do to meet the requirements of the law in relation to maintenance of accurate records for people living in the home.

The manager told us that they had been on person centred planning training and was hoping to use this to further support people living in the home.

Another person told us: 'Staff are very friendly.'

We were also told: 'We have a good time.'

And: 'It's fine, really good. If I need anything they take you out to get it.'

The relative told us: 'I can come once a week and they always seem alright.'

We found that people were involved in planning their care and were treated with dignity and respect. People who used the service had their health and social care needs met in a way which promoted their wellbeing.

We found that the food and nutrition provided at Russley Lodge was varied and met the needs of people who used the service. On the day of the inspection we saw that the home was appropriately staffed.

We found that there was a comprehensive complaints policy which meant that complaints would be taken seriously and a fair and open investigation would take place.

We noted that records about the care and support required by people who used the service needed to be improved to ensure care was properly planned so that people were kept safe at all times.

'The staff are really very nice'.

'The girls are lovely, I get the care I need and I like living here.'

'The staff have never treated me badly and never spoken to me badly, they never would.'

'The staff are very good, you can have a bit of a laugh with them.'

'I get to see the doctor straight away if I'm not well, the manager is very good with that sort of thing, there are never any delays.'

Relatives of the people who used the service said they were very happy with the care provided. They described the staff as 'very kind' and 'really nice'. Their comments included:

'I'm very happy with the care. The manager always keeps me up to date with how my mum is. She is very well looked after and I'm very happy with the way things are going.'

'My sister is invited to the care plan reviews so we all know what's going on, but the staff always tell me how my mum is when I visit.'

'I really like the staff here, they are always very friendly. I've never heard anyone speak badly to any of the residents.'

'My relative is very well looked after. She has been in hospital recently. The staff were very quick to get the doctor.'

'If I wanted to make a complaint, I would speak to any of the staff, they are all very approachable.'