Archived: Heathcotes Queens Park Lodge

Heathcotes Queens Park Lodge provides accommodation and personal care to people who have a learning disability or autism. The service can accommodate up to eight people. At the time of our inspection, three people were living at the service.

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

People were happy living at Heathcotes Queens Park Lodge. This was evident through their interaction with staff and how they responded to them.

Staff displayed a kind, caring and attentive approach towards people throughout our inspection and it was clear staff knew people well. They were able to describe people’s individuality to us and how people communicated with them through actions and expression.

People received the medicines they required and there were detailed descriptions for staff on how people liked to take their medicines. There were sufficient staff on duty to meet people’s daily needs, such as personal care and social activities. Staff were seen following good infection control practices and the service was clean, tidy and well presented.

People’s care plans were comprehensive and gave staff all the information they needed about people. People had access to health care professional input when needed and they were provided with nutrition and hydration to help maintain a good level of health. Risks to people were identified and recorded and staff knew how to respond to these risks in order to keep people 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.

We expect health and social care providers to guarantee autistic people and people with a learning disability the choices, dignity, independence and good access to local communities that most people take for granted. Right support, right care, right culture is the guidance CQC follows to make assessments and judgements about services providing support to people with a learning disability and/or autistic people.

The service was able to demonstrate how they were meeting some of the underpinning principles of Right support, right care, right culture.

Right support:

• Staff supported people in their independence and learning new life skills. We observed this during our inspection.

Right care:

• People were treated with respect and dignity by staff. Personal care was undertaken behind locked doors and staff gave people time on their own when they wanted it.

Right culture:

• The values and behaviours of staff demonstrated an approach that enabled people to live a fulfilling life. People were encouraged to maintain contact with people close to them as well as spend time taking part in their own interests and favourite pastimes.

The manager looked for ways to improve the service people received. Good governance arrangements were in place to help monitor the service and management demonstrated a responsive and open approach to any shortfalls identified.

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

This service was registered with us on 03/04/2019 and this is the first inspection.

Why we inspected

This inspection was carried out as the service had not received an inspection since its registration with us.

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.

We found the following examples of good practice.

A person who used the service said, “I don’t want to wear a mask, but I know that staff do to protect me and keep me safe.” Staff told us the registered manager and senior leadership team, “Did a great job” in sharing current guidance with staff and that they were on hand to offer support as the need arose.

The premises were clean and well maintained. Additional cleaning schedules were in place since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic. High touch areas such as door handles and light switches were scheduled for additional daily cleaning. There were three infection prevention and control (IPC) champions who ensured a high standard of cleaning was maintained.

Staff undertook IPC training and were seen to be following correct IPC practices at all times. This included putting on and taking off PPE, hand hygiene and other COVID-19 related training. Each person had a bin in their room for the safe disposal of PPE worn by staff. Staff described procedures in line with government guidance which were in place for the safe care of those who tested positive for COVID-19 and for all others in the house.

Staff and people who used the service undertook regular testing in line with government guidelines. Staff supported people to remain in contact with their families through video and information technology.

The registered manager was aware of the most recent government guidance on care home visiting and family members were made aware of how visits would be supported. The indoor visiting room was accessed separately from the rest the house and was fully equipped with PPE. There was also an outdoor visiting pod, which had a separate entrance.

The registered manager sought support and advice from external agencies including the local health protection team, Surrey County Council and CQC and was open to all advice and guidance offered.