Archived: Anand Lodge

Below is a summary of what we found.

Is the service safe?

People told us that the care staff treated them well and they felt safe. Comments included "It's all alright" and "I am treated with a great deal of respect."

We saw that improvements were being made to the home environment with new flooring and furniture provided. People using the service commented positively about this saying "We've had new sofas and a new television."

Is the service effective?

The care plan we looked at was being kept up to date reflecting the person and their current needs. Individual health needs were being addressed and support provided to attend appointments as necessary. One person told us "They make an appointment here on the phone and I can then pop round myself to see the GP.'

People's assessed needs were being met by staff with the necessary skills and knowledge. We saw that staff had access to the training and supervision that helped them do their jobs with records kept.

Is the service caring?

People using the service told us that staff treated them with respect and they were happy living at the home. Feedback included "Some staff are very pleasant company, very cheerful" and "It's got better here."

Is the service responsive?

People said they knew how to make a complaint and felt able to approach the manager or other staff. Comments included "They listen to me" and "They try to be reasonable and are friendly.'

Is the service well-led?

The registered manager named in this report has left the service. The registered provider was now in day to day charge of the service and the home is mainly staffed by his family members. Discussions were taking place as to the formal appointment and registration of a new manager with CQC.

Quality assurance processes were in place however these could be developed to ensure that specific measurable action plans were being documented following meetings with people using the service. This information may assist the service in ensuring that people were able to be fully involved in the running of the home.

We undertook this inspection as we received information that concerned us about the management and staffing arrangements at the home. We were made aware the registered manager had left the service however we did not receive timely notification from the provider of this change when it happened or of the provider's plans to arrange for appropriate management of the service in the absence of the registered manager. We spoke with the provider who confirmed they were now managing the home in the absence of the registered manager and would do so with a view to making this permanent.

We asked people using the service for their views and experiences about the care and support they received. Although people told us that they were happy with the support they received from experienced members of staff who worked at the home, most people expressed anxiety about how their home would be run now the long standing registered manager had left. One person told us 'It was a shock when we found out the manager had left. I've always liked the owner who's now the new manager, but they're not easy to get hold of'. Another person said 'It's too soon to judge the new manager, but understandably we're all a bit worried about how it's going to work out'.

We looked at people's care records and noted each person had an individual plan which set out their specific care and support needs. We saw these were reviewed monthly by staff to identify any changes to these needs. Staff also evaluated risks to people's health, safety and welfare, in the home and in the community, on a regular basis. This meant staff had up to date information about how people should be cared for and supported and how this should be carried out in a way that ensured people's safety.

There were adequate recruitment and selection processes in place. The provider had carried out checks of staff's suitability before they began work. Staffing rota's showed that there were enough qualified, skilled and experienced staff to meet people's needs. The majority of staff had received appropriate training to ensure they had the skills and knowledge to care for people using the service.

Staff from the local authority and the community mental health team spoke positively about the registered manager. They told us they had responded proactively when working with them to make improvements and changes that were needed in the home.

We asked people using the service what improvements had been made to their home since our last inspection. People told us the home had been redecorated and cleaned. One person said 'It's improved. It's cleaner and tidier'. Another person told us 'The house has been repainted and decorated and new things have been bought for us'.

We observed from people's records, people had been involved in developing their care plans and had been able to state their preferences and choices about how they lived their lives.

Staff had received training to refresh their skills and knowledge.