We carried out a review of the data available to us about Napier Lodge Limited on 6 July 2023. We have not found evidence that we need to carry out an inspection or reassess our rating at this stage.
This could change at any time if we receive new information. We will continue to monitor data about this service.
If you have concerns about Napier Lodge Limited, you can give feedback on this service.
Napier Lodge Limited is a care home providing personal care to 15 older people at the time of our inspection. The service can support up to 17 people in single bedrooms. Accommodation is provided over two floors with lift access. There are sufficient bathing facilities and communal areas, including a small lounge to offer private meetings. Napier Lodge Limited will be referred to as Napier Lodge within this report.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
The registered manager developed safe systems to ensure people received their medication as prescribed. People said they felt safe and comfortable. One person told us, “They don’t let you get in the lift alone in case it breaks down, it keeps me safe.” The registered manager had sufficiently skilled numbers of staff. They had a good understanding of protecting people from harm or abuse.
The provider had an extensive training programme to develop their staff. A relative commented, “Staff are wonderful and really experienced.” The registered manager monitored people against the risk of malnutrition. People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible. The policies and systems in the service supported this practice. Staff helped people to make their day-to-day decisions.
The registered manager placed people and their relatives at the heart of their care planning in the delivery of personalised care. One person said staff were responsive to their preferences. They added, “I get my special cappuccino in my special mug.” The provider’s core values centred on optimising people’s human rights and guiding staff to respect their individuality.
The registered manager assessed people’s needs and created care plans with them to meet their individual requirements. The registered manager had a programme of activities for each person’s stimulation. One individual stated, “There’s plenty to do here for my needs.”
The provider promoted inclusive, transparent care delivery to optimise people’s experiences. One person stated, “[The registered manager] is fantastic. Their kindness is the most essential thing to me.” The registered manager audited service delivery as part of their quality assurance oversight.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at last inspection and update
The last rating for this service was good (published 05 August 2017).
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.
Follow up
We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.
At the last inspection on 05 August 2014, the service was rated ‘Good’. At this inspection, we found the service remained ‘Good’.
We found high standards of cleanliness at Napier Lodge. One person told us, “It’s so clean and tidy. I feel comfortable living here because of that.” Other people and relatives added they felt safe whilst living at the home. We saw evidence staff received training in safeguarding people from abuse or poor practice. Furthermore, people’s environmental and personal care safety was monitored by robust risk assessment systems.
Staff files contained evidence the registered manager had required documents to reduce the risk of recruiting unsuitable staff. People and staff we spoke with said there were sufficient staffing numbers to meet care requirements. One staff member said they had time to chat with those who lived at the home and added, “We have enough carers to care for people.” The registered manager worked with external organisations to develop their workforce. Another staff member confirmed, “We definitely get enough training.”
The registered manager undertook regular medication audits, completed associated risk assessments and provided staff with relevant training. We observed staff administered medicines safely. One person told us, “I get my medication right. It’s important to me because it helps me sleep and the staff have never failed to give me my tablets.”
People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible. The policies and systems in the service supported this practice.
Those who lived at the home said they enjoyed their meals and had a choice of what to eat. One person told us, “The food is fantastic. It’s all home cooked and we can have what we want.” The registered manager had effective systems to protect people from the risk of malnutrition.
We observed staff supported people with patience, compassion and a friendly attitude. They and their relatives told us staff involved them in every aspect of their support and care planning. A staff member explained, “You’ve got to chat with the residents whilst you’re caring for them, involve them in it so we’re working together.” This enabled people to feel relaxed, at home and to have meaningful lives. A person who lived at Napier Lodge told us, “I’m as happy as a pig in muck here.”
Care records we looked at were detailed and individualised to people’s requirements. This information was then transferred to care plans and we observed staff followed agreed support in practice. This ensured responsive care planning matched people’s ongoing needs.
People and their relatives said the management team proactively sought their feedback about the quality of care and the home’s development. This was underpinned by regular quality audits to monitor everyone’s safety and welfare. We found the registered manager acted quickly to address any identified concerns to enhance people’s wellbeing.
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 and to pilot a new inspection process being introduced by CQC which looks at the overall quality of the service.
The inspection was unannounced.
Napier Lodge is a residential care home situated in the South Shore area of Blackpool. The home provides care for up to 17 people. There are 17 single rooms, 13 of which have en-suite facilities. There is a passenger lift providing access to the upper floors.
There was a registered manager in place at the home. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service and has the legal responsibility for meeting the requirements of the law; as does the provider.
Throughout the inspection we spoke with eight people who used the service, five relatives and two community professionals. We received very good feedback from people and all those we spoke with expressed satisfaction with the service provided at Napier Lodge.
People told us that they experienced safe and effective care from care workers who treated them with kindness and respect. People expressed satisfaction with daily life at the home and were pleased with the arrangements in areas such as mealtimes, activities and visiting.
We were told that the manager and staff at the home were approachable and welcoming of people’s views about their own care or the service as a whole.
We found that staff at the home had a good understanding of the needs of people who used the service. Staff were aware of risks to people’s safety and wellbeing and what action was required to maintain their safety.
Staff took time to get to know individual people who used the service and the things that were important to them. As a result, people received care which was centred on their individual needs and wishes.
The manager and staff were able to identify and address the health care needs of people who used the service and worked in a positive manner with community health care professionals to help ensure people received the right care and support.
The manager ensured there were adequate numbers of suitably skilled staff on duty to meet people’s needs safely at all times. Staff received a good level of training and support to ensure they maintained and developed their skills.
The manager had systems in place to monitor all aspects of quality within the service and identify risks to the health and safety of people who used the service. Where issues were identified the manager took appropriate action to ensure they were addressed.
People who used the service, their relatives and staff described an open and transparent culture within which, they were encouraged to express their views and share any concerns. People were also confident that any issues they did raise, would be dealt with in an appropriate manner by the manager.
Infection control audits were in place and we found the bedrooms, bathrooms and toilet areas to be clean and tidy. Recent staff training courses included infection control, the safe administration of medication and Dementia Awareness. One member of staff told us,' It is brilliant, we are listened to and we can discuss things with the manager.'
People we spoke with told us communication with the manager was good. They told us they felt confident to talk to the manger and staff regarding their views about the care provided. One relative told us,' The staff are wonderful. The home was recommended to us by a friend.' There were a range of audits and systems in place to monitor the quality of the service being provided.