26 July 2011
During a routine inspection
Sheen Lodge.
Sheen Lodge provides continuing care for twenty two older people with high needs.
Riverside Lodge.
Riverside Lodge provides a rehabilitation service to twelve men with mental health problems. Ten of the patients are detained under the mental health act. The other two patients are informal patients.
A visit was carried out by two Compliance Inspectors on the 18th of July and one Compliance Inspector visited Riverside Lodge again on the 20th of July 2011. We observed how people were being cared for, talked with people who use services, talked with staff and looked at records being kept about people who use services.
One of our roles as a regulator is to keep the use of the Mental Health Act under review and check that the Act is being used properly. Our Mental Health Act Commissioners perform this work by visiting all places where patients are detained under the Mental Health Act, and meet with them in private.
CQC Mental Health Act Commissioners visited Riverside Lodge on the 21st of April 2011 and Sheen Lodge on the 29th of October 2010. Their findings are reflected within this report.
Sheen Lodge
People told us that they were treated with dignity and respect by staff. General comments included 'it's pretty good in here', 'they talk to you and listen to you' and 'the quality of care is good'.
One person told us that they thought the ward should have a computer for use by people staying there.
Two people told us that they had a copy of their care plan and were able to talk about the treatment they were receiving. One person told us 'I am unsure why I am here' and told us they were not aware of their care plan.
One individual told us 'I go out to smoke and to the shops' they told us staff were careful to ask where they were going but did not stop them.
Comments from people about the food provided included 'absolutely disgusting', 'it could be a lot better', 'eatable ' I have what I want' and 'No reason to complain - I am grateful not to have to make it myself'.
People we spoke to were not able to tell us what they were having for lunch on the day we visited. Comments include 'probably the continual rice pudding' and 'they tell us when it comes ' it's a surprise'.
Three people we spoke to told us that ward meetings were held each week and the food was usually the main point of discussion. They told us that they felt the situation was improving and that their views had been listened to. One person told us 'it has improved after our comments'.
People we spoke to told us 'the accommodation is fine', 'my room is marvelous' and 'fine ' you can make your own bed but they will do it for you'. One individual told us they were sometimes disturbed by other occupants of the bay they were in but they were not allowed to have one of the four single rooms available.
One person told us that ward became 'very cold' at the far end of the building.
Comments from people we spoke to included 'I am very impressed by the patience of carers', 'some of the staff are delightful', 'they come and talk to me' and 'the quality of care of most staff is very good'. One person told us that some staff were sometimes slightly 'irritable'.
Other comments included 'I have no complaints' and 'I would talk to the manager ' he is very approachable'. One person told us they did not know how to make their concerns or complaints known.
Riverside Lodge
All of the people we spoke to told us staff treated them with dignity and respect. Some people we spoke to told us 'I like it here', 'fine' and 'I have no issues with it'.
One person told us they go out regularly to go swimming, play tennis and attend Church.
People told us 'the food is delicious', 'great' and 'good ' more or less'.
People told us they were happy with the accommodation provided to them. One person showed us their room which had been personalised and contained a lot of their personal belongings.
One person showed us around the garden. They showed us a tree they had planted and some vegetables and herbs. They told us 'it is nice to sit out here when the weather is good, smoke a cigarette and chat with people'.
Another person told us 'the garden is nice but the seating could be better'.
Some people told us 'the staff are nice'; 'they're fine' and 'always available'.
All of the people we spoke to said that there were enough staff on duty to meet their needs.
One person told us they knew how to make a complaint if they needed to and the staff would do something about their complaint.
People we spoke to on both wards all stated that staff treated them with dignity and respect. No issues were raised by individuals during our visit.
We saw that both wards were clean and hygienic on the day we visited. People we spoke to reported that the ward was kept clean with comments including 'it is very clean' and 'fine'.