Devonshire House and Lodge

Updated 16 July 2026

Date of Assessment: 30 July to 13 August 2026. We carried out this assessment in response to risk, following concerns with the administration of medication.

Devonshire House and Lodge is registered to support a maximum of 77 people. The service was providing support to 59 people during our assessment.

The governance systems had failed to identify and rectify significant failures in medication administration in a4-week period from mid-May to mid-June 2026. During this period people were not receiving person-centredcare to meet their needs. Since these events took place, the provider had invested management time, replaced the management of the service and cooperated fully with the resulting whole service safeguarding process led by the Local Authority. The provider had improved their support for the service and for the newly recruited service managers and staff. We found the administration of peoples’ medication was now both safe and the service’s medication systems were operating appropriately.

People were protected and kept safe. Staff risk assessed and reviewed people’s needs frequently. People and their relatives were involved in assessments of their needs and planning people’s care. Staff worked with all agencies, including local health and social care services involved in people’s care to achieve the best outcomes.

People had enough to eat and drink to stay healthy. People enjoyed a variety of good quality food. Staff monitored people’s health and welfare to support healthy living. Peoples’ care was continuously monitored by the management team with the support of an electronic IT system. Staff worked with all agencies involved in people’s care for their best outcomes.

There were enough staff and management team with the right skills, qualifications and experience to meet people’s needs. The provider and management team supported staff wellbeing. Staff felt supported to give feedback and were treated fairly.

The provider invested in the building, facilities and fixtures of the service. However, we found some issues of cleanliness and worn-out fixtures. These were being addressed and the provider had planned to make these replacements and ensure cleanliness was maintained in all areas.

The provider, new service leaders and staff were developing a new shared vision and culture based on listening, learning and trust. Leaders were visible, knowledgeable and supportive, helping staff develop in their roles. The providers representatives were involved in the day to day working of the service to support the new service management.

Updated 16 July 2026

People were positive about the quality of their care. They felt safe and were involved in planning their care. People said they received good quality care from knowledgeable staff who treated them as individuals. One person said, “I’ve been here for 5 years, and they do a good job.” Another person said, “I’m well looked after and safe. I love it here.” A third person said, “The care is very good.”

There were mixed views on whether there were enough staff available to meet people’s needs. We found there were enough staff available on each unit within the service. During our assessment the service was regularly using agency staff throughout the service to deliver the numbers of staff required. However, the service had recruited several new permanent staff who were about to begin induction to work at the service. One family member said, “Mostly there are enough staff. Some know her well and some less well but the agency staff do try their best, you can see that.”

All the people and family members we spoke with felt the service was clean and well maintained. One person said, “Yes, my room is always clean.” Another person said, “The cleaners do a good job; one’s cleaning my room at the moment. She is very friendly.” A family member said, “It (the care home) is clean throughout.”

People said the food was of good quality and they were given choice. One person said, “The food is tasty.” Another person said, “I love the food.” A third person said, “I like the food. I had the chicken today and I enjoyed it.”

Several people described how the service provided lots of interesting activities to keep people physically and mentally active. One person said, “I like going into the garden.” Another person said, “There’s lots (of activities) – singers, arts and craft, bingo.” A third person said, “I had my hair done this morning, then communion (church service) and this afternoon we have armchair exercise.”

People had confidence in the management of the service. One family member told us, “They always inform us of any changes. We’re very happy with the home and would recommend it.”