Archived: Blackburn Lodge

Updated 2 April 2022

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.

As part of CQC’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic we are looking at how services manage infection control and visiting arrangements. This was a targeted inspection looking at the infection prevention and control measures the provider had in place. We also asked the provider about any staffing pressures the service was experiencing and whether this was having an impact on the service.

This inspection took place on 23 February 2022 and was unannounced.

Updated 2 April 2022

The inspection took place on 27 June 2018. The inspection was unannounced.

Blackburn Lodge is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing and 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. Blackburn Lodge provides accommodation and support for up to 35 older people. The service provided respite care for people as well as permanent accommodation and care. Respite care is a short term solution for people whose main carers need a break to be able to take a holiday or attend to personal business. The service also provided a reablement service for people, with a three week stay. Reablement is a short and intensive service to help people regain their independence and confidence to continue living in their own homes. This service is offered to people who are frail and recovering from an illness or injury. There were 24 people living at the service at the time of our inspection. People had varying care needs. Some people had diabetes or had epilepsy or suffered a stroke, some people required support with their mobility around the home and others were able to walk independently.

At our last inspection on 21 May 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.

A registered manager was employed at the service and had been in the position since the last inspection. 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.

Staff continued to be aware of their responsibilities in keeping people safe and reporting any suspicions of abuse. Staff knew what the reporting procedures were and were confident their concerns would be listened to.

Individual risks were identified and steps continued to be taken to reduce and control risk. Staff had the guidance they needed to support people to maintain and improve their independence while at the same time preventing harm. Accidents and incidents were appropriately recorded by staff; action was taken and followed up by the registered manager.

The procedures for the administration of people’s prescribed medicines was still managed and recorded appropriately so people received their medicines as intended. Regular audits of medicines were undertaken to ensure safe procedures continued to be followed and action was taken when errors were made.

The registered manager and senior team leader carried out a comprehensive initial assessment with people before they moved in to the service, either for long term care, short term respite or reablement. People were fully involved in the assessment, together with their relatives where appropriate. Care plans were developed and regularly updated and reviewed to take into account people’s changing needs. People’s specific needs were taken account of and addressed in care planning to ensure equality of access to services.

People had access to a range of activities to choose from. Some people preferred their own company and pursued their own interests such as reading or watching TV and this was respected by staff. People were asked their views of the service and action was taken to make improvements where necessary.

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 were complimentary about the food and snacks available and there was plenty of variety and choice at mealtimes. People told us they had access to plenty of drinks throughout the day. People’s specific dietary needs were known about and catered for.

People were supported to gain access to health care professionals when they needed advice or treatment. The registered manager had developed good relationships with local health care professionals and referred people when they needed. A team was available in house to provide the reablement service in conjunction with other health care professionals.

There continued to be clear evidence of the caring approach of staff. People and their relatives were overwhelmingly happy about the staff who supported them, describing them as caring and responsive and saying they were confident in the care they received. Staff knew people well and were able to respond to their needs on an individual basis.

Suitable numbers of staff were available to provide the individualised care and support people were assessed as requiring. The provider continued to make sure safe recruitment practices were followed so only suitable staff were employed to work with people who required care and support.

Staff continued to be supported well by the registered manager and their senior team. Staff told us they were approachable and listened to their views and suggestions. Training was up to date and staff were encouraged to pursue their personal development. Staff continued to have the opportunity to take part in one to one supervision meetings to support their success in their role. Regular staff meetings were held to aid communication within the team and to provide updates and feedback.

All the appropriate maintenance of the premises and servicing of equipment was carried out at suitable intervals.

Quality auditing processes were in place to check the safety and quality of the service provided. Action was taken where improvements were needed.

People and their relatives thought the service was well run. People knew the registered manager well and were very happy with the service provided.

Further information is in the detailed findings below.