We carried out a review of the data available to us about Lavender Lodge Care Home on 6 July 2023. We have not found evidence that we need to carry out an inspection or reassess our rating at this stage.
This could change at any time if we receive new information. We will continue to monitor data about this service.
If you have concerns about Lavender Lodge Care Home, you can give feedback on this service.
Lavender Lodge Care Home is a nursing home with three floors. The middle floor supports people living with dementia. The service was providing nursing care and personal care to 45 people at the time of the inspection. The service can support up to 66 people.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
People told us they were happy with the service they received. Overall relatives told us they were satisfied with their loved ones care and support. People's feedback included, "All care done" and of the manager, "I can go to her any time."
The provider ensured there were sufficient numbers of staff to support people to stay safe and meet their needs. Processes were in place to protect people from the spread of infection.
The new manager had made changes in order to embed the provider’s values and improve outcomes for people. The manager’s responsibilities were clear and they understood them. People and staff were encouraged to provide their views on the service and these were listened to. The provider had processes to assess the quality of the service and to identify areas for improvement.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at last inspection
The last rating for this service was good (published 10 September 2019).
Why we inspected
We undertook this targeted inspection to follow up on specific concerns we had received about the service. A decision was made for us to inspect and examine those risks. The concerns included: the management of the service, standards of care and staffing levels.
We looked at infection prevention and control measures under the Safe key question. We look at this in all care home inspections even if no concerns or risks have been identified. This is to provide assurance that the service can respond to coronavirus and other infection outbreaks effectively.
CQC have introduced targeted inspections to follow up on Warning Notices or to check specific concerns. They do not look at an entire key question, only the part of the key question we are specifically concerned about. Targeted inspections do not change the rating from the previous inspection. This is because they do not assess all areas of a key question.
The overall rating for the service has not changed following this targeted inspection and remains good.
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.
Lavender Lodge is a residential home providing nursing care and personal care for 60 people at the time of the inspection, some of who may be living with dementia.
Lavender Lodge accommodates up to 66 people in one adapted building.
People's experience of using the service and what we found
Staff’s training was not always up to date and staff supervision did not always take place routinely to ensure their knowledge and skills remained current. However, staff told us they felt supported and could go to the registered or deputy manager if they needed to talk as there was an open-door policy. The provider had identified staff support and training needed to improve. As actions were either implemented during or straight after the inspection to address this shortfall we were unable to judge the effectiveness of these new arrangements during this inspection.
Most 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. We found for one person their support arrangements could be overly restrictive and changes were being made to avoid unnecessary restrictions.
People received a service that was safe. Systems and processes were in place to manage medicines safely and protect people from the risk of abuse.
Care workers had developed relationships with people they supported. Staff respected people's dignity and privacy and promoted their independence.
People's care and support met their needs and reflected their preferences.
Management processes were in place to monitor and improve the quality of the service. Plans were in place to address the shortfalls the provider identified in relation to training. There was an positive and open culture.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at last inspection
The last rating for this service was good (published 2 February 2017).
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.
Lavender Lodge Nursing Home is registered to provide personal and nursing care for a maximum of 66 people. At the time of the inspection there were 60 people living in the service. There are three floors to the service. Hyacinth on the ground floor and Primrose on the second floor primarily provide nursing care, and Jasmine on the first floor provided care and treatment to people living with dementia.
A registered manager was in post at the time of our inspection. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act and associated Regulations about how the service is run.
People and their relatives said they felt the service was safe. Staff received training in safeguarding adults and knew how to report actual or suspected abuse. The service ensured there were sufficient staff on duty to meet people’s assessed needs and safe recruitment procedures were completed.
People’s risks were assessed and risk management guidance was recorded where appropriate. People were cared for in a clean, hygienic environment and the equipment used to support people was regularly serviced to ensure it was safe. People’s medicines were managed safely and a regular review of incidents and accidents was completed.
People and their relatives said the staff at the service provided effective care. The registered manager was aware of their responsibilities in regard to the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS). DoLS is a framework to approve the deprivation of liberty for a person when they lack the mental capacity to consent to treatment or care and need protecting from harm. Staff were aware of how the Mental Capacity Act 2005 impacted on their work and demonstrated how they empowered people through choice.
Staff at the service received regular training to meet the needs of people. Staff were also supported through performance supervision and appraisal. People at the service were supported as required with food and drink and staff were observed supporting people when needed. People had access to relevant healthcare professionals.
People and their relatives gave very positive feedback about all aspects of the care they received at the service. The services compliments log also contained similar positive information. The staff we spoke with knew people well and we made observations that showed people were relaxed in the company of staff. We observed that people’s privacy and dignity was respected and people’s visitors were welcomed to the service. The provider invited people to comment on the service using a national website. We reviewed the website following the inspection and saw positive information had been submitted.
People and their relatives told us the service was responsive to their needs. Care records contained personalised information and care was delivered in line with people’s needs. Staff understood how to be responsive to people’s preferences and the service provided activities for people to partake in. The views of people’s relatives were sought and where required the registered manager had actioned requests. The service had a complaints process which people and their relatives felt they could use and would be listened to. There were systems to ensure that key information was communicated to relevant healthcare professionals and staff.
People, their relatives and staff spoke very positively about the registered manager and the leadership of the service. Staff told of receiving a high level of support and guidance from the registered manager and it was evident there was a strong team bond and cohesion. The registered manager had a passionate approach to management and leadership.
The registered manager had established excellent links with the local community and has used these links effectively to have a positive impact on people living at the service. Relatives of the people had passed away at Lavender Lodge Nursing Home were invited annually to a service of remembrance.