Dunniwood Lodge

Updated 14 May 2025

Date of Assessment: 7 July 2025. Dunniwood Lodge is a residential care home providing personal care to people. The service can accommodate up to 40 people. At the time of our assessment 26 people were using the service, some people were living with dementia. We assessed the service due to the length of time since our last inspection and due to some concerns we had received regarding staffing and social activities.

Risks associated with people’s care were identified and actions taken to mitigate risks. The home was predominantly clean and well presented. The care environment was safe and personal emergency evacuation plans were in place to ensure people were supported to evacuate the building in an emergency. There were sufficient staff available to meet people’s needs and staff told us they felt supported by the management team. People received their medicines as prescribed.

People’s needs were assessed and care delivered in line with people’s preferences. People were involved in reviews about their care and support. People had access to healthcare professionals and staff took on board their advice to ensure people were supported appropriately.

People told us staff were kind and caring and felt happy living at Dunniwood Lodge. We observed staff responding to people in a timely way and checking people were comfortable. However, we noted that support for people living with dementia could be improved, such as providing better dementia friendly signage and tactile pictures and objects.

The provider had a system in place to ensure the management team had oversight of the home and addressed concerns as they arose. People, relatives and staff had confidence in the management team and felt involved in the home and found the management team approachable.

Updated 14 May 2025

People told us they were happy living at the service and said staff supported them well. One person said, “It’s a good care home [Dunniwood Lodge], there are other people around [so it feels safe], it’s comfortable it feels like home.” Another person said, “I’m okay here, I think they [staff] look after us.” People told us staff responded to them quickly when they required support. One person said, “There’s staff around so if you need anything or anything happens, staff are always about.” Relatives told us they were involved in the home and included in their family member’s care. One relative said, “I’ve had conversations at relatives’ meetings.” People had access to food and fluids and told us they enjoyed their meals. One person said, “Yes [there’s enough food], and there’s little treats.” People and relatives told us staff were kind and caring. One person said, “I think they [staff] are kind. I’ve only found them kind.” A relative told us staff were kind and patient. “I think they [staff] are very caring people.” People told us staff were respectful and always knocked on doors before entering their bedroom or bathroom. One person said, “They [staff] treat me with respect.” People had access to activities and social events. People told us they enjoyed a range of activities such as day trips and events within the home.