Dunster Lodge Residential Home

Updated 5 October 2019

The inspection

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (the Act) as part of our regulatory functions. We checked whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act. We looked at the overall quality of the service and provided a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

Inspection team

The inspection was carried out by one inspector and an Expert by Experience

An Expert by Experience is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of care service.

Service and service type

Dunster Lodge Residential Home is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

The service had a manager registered with the Care Quality Commission. This means that they and the provider are legally responsible for how the service is run and for the quality and safety of the care provided.

Notice of inspection

This inspection was unannounced.

What we did before the inspection

We looked at all the information we have received from, and about, this service since the last inspection. We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return. This is information providers are required to send us with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. This information helps support our inspections.

We received positive feedback from two health and social care professionals about the home.

We used all of this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

During the inspection we spoke with 10 people who lived at the home, one visitor and four members of staff. Throughout the day we were able to observe staff interactions with people in the communal areas. The registered manager and nominated individual were available during the entire inspection. The nominated individual is responsible for supervising the management of the service on behalf of the provider.

We looked at a selection of records which included;

Three care and support plans

Quality assurance questionnaires

Medication Administration Records (MARs.)

Health and safety records

Updated 5 October 2019

About the service

Dunster Lodge Residential Home is a care home which is registered to provide care and accommodation to up to 19 people. The home specialises in the care of older people. At the time of the inspection there were 14 people living at the home.

The house is an older style building with accommodation arranged over three floors. There is a passenger lift and stair lifts to enable people to access all areas.

People’s experience of using this service and what we found

People lived in a home which was well led by an enthusiastic and experienced management team. There were systems in place to monitor standards and plan improvements. People’s and staff’s views were listened to and used to influence changes and improvements.

People felt safe at the home and with the staff who supported them. The staff worked in partnership with other agencies to minimise the risks of abuse to people. There were adequate numbers of staff to meet people’s needs and keep them safe.

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. Staff respected people’s choices and preferences.

People were cared for by staff who were kind and compassionate. Staff were happy in their jobs which helped to provide a warm and relaxed environment for people to live in. People had built good relationships with staff and during the inspection we heard laughter and good-humoured banter.

People received care and support in a way that met their personal needs and enabled them to follow their own routines, interests and beliefs. People who lived at the home were treated as individuals and chose how they spent their time.

There were activities, informal chatter and entertainment which provided people with social stimulation. People were supported to maintain contact with friends and family and staff supported them to access community facilities.

Rating at last inspection

The last rating for this service was Good (report published 30 March 2017)

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.

Follow up: We will continue to monitor intelligence we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If any concerning information is received we may inspect sooner.

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk