Background to this inspection
Updated
11 March 2023
The inspection
We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (the Act) as part of our regulatory functions. We checked whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act. We looked at the overall quality of the service and provided a rating for the service under the Health and Social Care Act 2008.
As part of this inspection we looked at the infection control and prevention measures in place. This was conducted so we can understand the preparedness of the service in preventing or managing an infection outbreak, and to identify good practice we can share with other services.
Inspection team
The inspection was carried out by two inspectors and an Expert by Experience. An Expert by Experience is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of care service.
Service and service type
Buckler’s Lodge is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing and/or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement dependent on their registration with us. Buckler’s Lodge is a care home without nursing care. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.
Registered Manager
This provider is required to have a registered manager to oversee the delivery of regulated activities at this location. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Registered managers and providers are legally responsible for how the service is run, for the quality and safety of the care provided and compliance with regulations. At the time of our inspection there was a registered manager in post.
Notice of inspection
This inspection was unannounced.
What we did before the inspection
We looked at all the information we held about the service including notifications and online reviews. A notification is information about events that the registered persons are required, by law, to tell us about. The provider was not asked to complete a Provider Information Return (PIR) prior to this inspection. A PIR is information providers send us to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make.
During the inspection
We spoke with 6 people who use the service and 5 relatives about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with 9 members of staff including the registered manager and the care and compliance manager. We reviewed a range of records including 5 people’s care records and 3 medicines records. We looked at 4 staff files in relation to recruitment and supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures reviewed.
Updated
11 March 2023
About the service
Buckler’s Lodge is a residential care home providing accommodation and personal care for to up to 80 people. The service provides support to older people and people living with dementia, physical disabilities and sensory impairments. At the time of our inspection there were 17 people using the service.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
Safeguarding incidents were not always investigated and managed effectively. Recruitment practices were not robust enough to ensure suitable staff were employed, and people told us they felt the service was short staffed at times.
The provider had not ensured effective systems were in place to oversee the service and ensure compliance with the fundamental standards. This meant people were not always protected from the risk of harm.
We have recommended the provider review the assessment of their staffing levels in order to ensure the safety and needs of people are met effectively.
People and their relatives told us they felt safe. Medicines were managed safely.
Care plans reflected people’s needs and preferences, and people felt involved in their care planning. People were supported to have maximum choice and control over their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible. People were supported to have access to a range of health and social care professionals.
People and relatives told us they felt staff were caring and this was observed during the inspection. The service supported people to be as independent as possible and people’s confidential information was protected.
People's communication needs were assessed, and staff supported people with their communication needs. The home supported people to maintain relationships to avoid social isolation and relatives told us they felt welcome in the home.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at last inspection
This service was registered with us on 24 February 2022 and this is the first inspection.
Why we inspected
This inspection was prompted by a review of the information we held about care provided at this service. A decision was made for us to inspect and examine those risks. We looked at infection prevention and control measures under the Safe key question. We look at this in all care home inspections even if no concerns or risks have been identified. This is to provide assurance that the service can respond to COVID-19 and other infection outbreaks effectively.
You can see what action we have asked the provider to take at the end of this full report.
Enforcement
We have identified breaches in relation to safeguarding, good governance and recruitment at this inspection.
Please see the action we have told the provider to take at the end of this report.
Follow up
We will request an action plan from the provider to understand what they will do to improve the standards of quality and safety. We will work alongside the provider and local authority to monitor progress. We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.