The inspection took place on 6 May 2017 and was unannounced.
Alpine Lodge is a residential home providing care, rehabilitation and support for up to 20 people with mental health needs. Some people are detained under the Mental Health Act and are under supervision in the community.
At this inspection there were 15 people living at the service.
At the last inspection, the service was rated Good.
At this inspection we found the service remained Good.
Why the service is rated Good.
The service had a registered manager in post. 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.
On the day of the inspection staff were relaxed, and there was a calm, quiet atmosphere. Everybody had a clear role within the service. Information we requested was supplied promptly, records were organised, clear, easy to follow and comprehensive.
People were comfortable with staff supporting them and we observed positive interactions. Care records were in date, personalised and gave people control over aspects of their lives. Staff responded quickly when they noted changes to people’s mental or physical well-being contacting the appropriate health professionals for example people’s mental health nurses. People or where appropriate those who mattered to them, were involved in discussing people’s care needs and how they would like to be supported. People’s preferences for care and treatment were identified and respected.
Staff exhibited a kind and compassionate attitude towards people. Positive, caring relationships had been developed and practice was person focused and not task led. Staff had appreciation of how to respect people’s individual needs around their privacy and dignity.
People’s risks were managed well and monitored. People were promoted and encouraged to live full and active lives. Staff were thoughtful in finding ways to overcome obstacles that restricted people’s independence.
People had their medicines managed safely. People received their medicines as prescribed, received them on time and understood what they were for. People were supported to maintain good health through regular access to health and social care professionals, such as GPs, mental health nurses, social workers, occupational therapists and physiotherapists.
People we observed were safe. The environment was uncluttered and clear for people to move freely around the home. All staff had undertaken training on safeguarding vulnerable adults from abuse, they displayed good knowledge on how to report any concerns and described what action they would take to protect people against harm.
People were supported by staff that confidently made use of their knowledge of the Mental Capacity Act (2005), to make sure people were involved in decisions about their care and their human and legal rights were respected. The service followed the processes which were in place which protected people’s human rights and liberty.
People were supported by a staff team that had received a comprehensive induction programme, training for mental health conditions and ongoing support from the registered manager.
People were protected by the service’s safe recruitment practices. Staff underwent the necessary checks which determined they were suitable to work with vulnerable adults, before they started their employment.
The service had a policy and procedure in place for dealing with any concerns or complaints.
No written complaints had been made to the service in the past twelve months.
People and described the management to be supportive and approachable. Staff talked positively about their jobs. The registered manager was supported by a deputy manager and the provider.
There were effective quality assurance systems in place. Incidents were appropriately recorded and analysed from trends. Learning from incidents and concerns raised was used to help drive improvements. Inspection feedback was listened to which further enhanced the quality of care.