Courtlands Lodge

Updated 3 March 2022

Courtlands Lodge is nursing home. The service provides accommodation and personal care for up to 29 people. At the time of our inspection, there were 17 people currently using the service.

We found the following examples of good practice:

The service was clean. There were clear cleaning schedules to ensure that all areas of the home were cleaned. This included the regular cleaning of high touch point areas. Good governance ensured that this clean environment was maintained.

Visiting procedures were robust to reduce the risk of COVID-19. All visitors followed current government guidance, including: taking a covid test before entering the service, putting on suitable personal protective equipment (PPE) and only accessing safe and suitable areas of the service.

The service had experienced a COVID-19 outbreak. Staff spoke highly of the registered manager's oversight of this. We found that the correct procedures were followed to reduce the risk of transmission around the care home.

Staff had received training in COVID-19, and infection prevention and control. They received regular spot checks to ensure that they were following this training. We saw that staff followed best practice guidance and had good knowledge with spoken to. Information and ongoing government guidance in the management of COVID-19 was shared with staff.

Staff participated in the testing and vaccination programme. We observed staff wearing the correct PPE throughout our inspection. Staff knew the current government guidelines and spoke positively about the

support they had received from the registered manager and provider.

People had been supported to participate in the COVID-19 testing programme and vaccination programme. People's individual risks in relation to COVID-19 had been assessed.

Updated 3 March 2022

Courtlands Lodge is a care home situated in North Hykeham, on the outskirts of Lincoln. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection. Courtlands Lodge provides care for up to 29 men and women whose main needs are associated with mental health.

At our last inspection in March 2016, we rated the service good. At this inspection we found the evidence continued to support the rating of good and there was no evidence or information from our inspection and ongoing monitoring that demonstrated serious risks or concerns. This inspection report is written in a shorter format because our overall rating of the service has not changed since our last inspection.

The service continued to provide safe care. Staff protected people from avoidable harm and abuse, whilst not unnecessarily restricting their freedom. They completed individual risk assessments and took steps to reduce risks to people’s health and safety. When incidents and accidents occurred, they were reported and investigated to identify themes and learning to reduce the risk of recurrence.

Sufficient number of staff with the appropriate skills and experience were available to care for people and people told us staff responded quickly when they required support. People received their medicines as prescribed and plans were in place to manage medicines prescribed for emergency situations such as when a person had a prolonged seizure.

The premises and equipment were maintained to ensure people’s safety and the required safety checks were completed regularly. Arrangements were in place to maintain good standards of hygiene and cleanliness and people were protected by procedures to prevent and control infection.

People continued to receive an effective service. Staff had the knowledge required to provide high standards of care and they used this knowledge effectively. They liaised with other professionals to ensure people had access to specialist care and treatment when required.

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.

People had a choice of meals and staff were knowledgeable about their food preferences. People told us they enjoyed the meals provided and we observed staff monitored people who were at risk at mealtimes.

Staff showed understanding and compassion for the people they cared for. They provided reassurance and emotional support and encouraged people’s independence. People told us staff were kind and supportive and they enjoyed living at the home.

People continued to receive a service that was responsive to their individual needs and preferences. They were supported to maintain their interests and develop new ones. Staff had a good knowledge of the people they cared for and used this knowledge to ensure care and support was tailored to each person’s individual needs. People were treated equally and without discrimination. People knew how to raise a concern and make a complaint and they told us that when they had a concern staff responded promptly to resolve the issue for them.

The service continued to be well led by an experienced registered manager who had access to the provider on an ongoing basis. Staff and people using the service had confidence in the registered manager and they told us the registered manager was fair and approachable. People were encouraged to provide feedback on the service provided and were involved in planning future developments. Quality audits were undertaken to monitor the quality of the service provided and to encourage continuous improvement.

Further information is in the detailed findings below