Rook Lodge

Updated 26 July 2018

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, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

The inspection took place on the 6 and 7 June 2018 and was unannounced. Two inspectors conducted the inspection.

Before the inspection we asked the provider to complete a Provider Information Return (PIR). This is a form that asks the provider to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. As part of the inspection we looked at information we held about the service. This included any notifications the provider sent to us about significant incidents and events that occurred at the service. A notification is information about important events which the provider is required to tell us about by law.

During the inspection we spoke with three people using the service, two support workers, a deputy manager and the registered manager. We observed people using the service and reviewed three of their care files. We also looked at three staff files and other records such as; the staff rotas, menus, the accident and incident records, the complaints and compliments the service had received, and the provider's policies and procedures.

Updated 26 July 2018

We completed an unannounced inspection of Rook Lodge on 6 and 7 June 2018. We last inspected this service on 9 June 2016 and rated the service Good. However, the service did not ensure people were always safe. This was due to a lack of window restrictors on the first floor and resulted in a breach of legal regulations. At this inspection we found that the provider had taken action to fit window restrictors on all floors and was now meeting legal requirements. The rating of the service remains Good.

Rook Lodge is a care home. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection. Rook Lodge can accommodate up to ten people in one adapted building. It provides care and support for people with long-term mental health illnesses. At the time of the inspection, there were six people using the service.

The service had a registered manager. 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.

People told us they felt safe living at the service and that staff treated them with respect and dignity. Staff understood the risks from abuse people faced and safeguarded against them. The service had completed personalised risk assessments for people, with informed risk management plans on how best to work with any risks identified. Accidents and incidents were recorded and responded to. We saw evidence of recruitment processes that met required Health and Social care standards. We saw that medicines were stored correctly and administered safely. There were adequate number of staff working at the service.

People received person-centred care from the service. Their care plans were detailed and personalised ensuring that each person had an appropriate care package to support them. Independence was promoted as people were encouraged to live socially enriched lives. Staff had received training in a variety of appropriate topics, including the Mental Capacity Act and how to administer medicines safely, and we noted the service had planned specialised and specific training in the future. Staff receive regular supervision and appraisals.

Staff treated people with kindness and compassion. We asked people and staff about the management of the service and all provided positive feedback, highlighting a ‘homely’ atmosphere to the service.

People could make choices about how they wanted to live their lives, deciding what food and drink they wanted, how to spend their time and what activities they wanted to pursue. We noted people could raise concerns or complaints about their care to the service and that the service welcomed this feedback. People were supported to access health care when they needed it.

There was a positive ethos at the service. Staff enjoyed their roles and were well supported by the registered manager and provider. There were quality assurance processes in place to monitor the standards of care being provided and the service worked closely with external stakeholders to ensure people’s needs were being met.