Background to this inspection
Updated
27 February 2018
We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.’
This was the first inspection of the service following registration on 9 December 2016. Latimer Lodge is registered as a care home without nursing for a maximum of 15 people. There are two double bedrooms for people who choose to share accommodation. A domiciliary care service is run from an office in the home offering care and support to people in their own homes.
The service is registered to offer support to older people, people with a physical disability or those living with dementia or sensory impairment. The domiciliary care service can also offer support to younger adults.
The first day of the inspection took place on 12 January 2018 and was unannounced. During this visit we inspected the residential service. We were able to view the premises and observe care practices and interactions in communal areas. We observed lunch being served. We looked at a selection of records which related to individual care and the running of the home. These included four care plans and three staff records We talked to 8 people using the service and met 10 relatives and friends or other visitors. We met the Responsible Individual, two registered managers and designated manager. We talked with ten staff and reviewed records relating to the quality assurance of the home. .
Before the second visit we gave the registered manager of the domiciliary care service notice when we would inspect. We needed to be sure the manager and staff would be available to speak with us as they may have been out of the office supporting staff or providing care.
The inspection site visit took place on 17 January 2018. It included a review of 2 care plans, two staff files and speaking with two staff. We reviewed care planning and quality assurance policies and procedures and discussed the service with the registered manager.
The inspection was undertaken by one adult social care inspector.
Before the inspection the provider completed a Provider Information Return (PIR). This is a form that asks the provider to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We looked at the information in the PIR and also looked at other information we held about the service before the inspection visit.
Updated
27 February 2018
This inspection took place on 12 January 2018 and 17 January 2018. The service was registered on 9 December 2016. This was the first inspection of the service and was unannounced.
Latimer Lodge 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. Latimer Lodge is registered as a care home without nursing for a maximum of 15 people. There are two double bedrooms for people who choose to share accommodation.
The home had been completely refurbished before registration in December 2016. The home had been up-dated and decorated to provide accommodation of a very high standard. The 13 bedrooms varied in size and two were designed to offer accommodation for two people if they chose to share. All en-suite facilities and bathrooms were luxurious and contained state of the art equipment and finishes. The home had won an external award for the design and implementation of building plans.
The service is also registered to provide personal care to people in their own homes (domiciliary care). We announced our intention to inspect the domiciliary service when we visited the home and carried out the inspection on the 17 January.
The domiciliary care service is run from an office in the home. Not everyone using this service receives regulated activity; CQC only inspects the service being received by people provided with ‘personal care’; help with tasks related to personal hygiene and eating. Where they do we also take into account any wider social care provided. All staff were recruited, trained and supervised to standards required by the regulated activities.
The service is registered to offer support to older people, people with a physical disability or those living with dementia or sensory impairment. The domiciliary care service can also offer support to younger adults. Four people were receiving personal care and two other people received domestic or companionship support.
There were two registered managers in post. The residential home and the domiciliary care service each had a dedicated registered manager. 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 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.’
At this inspection the service was rated Good.
People felt safe at the home and with the staff who supported them. One person said “Peace of mind. It was what was behind the move here. And we have it in buckets.” A visitor said “I have no worries about my [relative]. I know they are alright here.”
There were systems and processes in place to minimise risks to people. These included a robust recruitment system and managers and staff who were trained and effective in protecting people from potential abuse. There were adequate numbers of staff available to meet people’s needs promptly.
In the community there were sufficient staff to provide people with prompt visits by a regular care team.
People had access to a good diet which met their needs and preferences. People were offered a choice of food cooked from very good quality ingredients and presented in an attractive and appetising manner
People received effective care from staff who had the skills and knowledge to meet their needs. Staff monitored people’s health and well- being. People had access to healthcare professionals according to their needs.
People were supported to have maximum control and choice of their lives and staff supported them to be as independent as possible.
People were supported by staff who were kind and caring. The small home and dedicated domiciliary care staff meant people were well known to staff and received personal attention in all matters.
People were able to make choices about their day to day routines. People had access to a range of organised and informal activities which provided them with mental and social stimulation.
People received care at the end of their lives that was kind and compassionate. Staff worked with other organisations to ensure high standards of care and support that supported people and their families.
The home was well led by a team of experienced and well qualified registered managers. The provider offered support and resources to enable the services to continue to develop and maintain high standards of care.