Archived: Chipstead Lodge Residential Care Home

The vast majority of residents we spoke to said that they are not interested in being involved in the development and review of their care plan or accessing the information held about them. But all felt able to ask to see there records if they wished.

Residents continue to tell us that they get their medicines on time and in a form that they prefer. We observed staff spending time explaining to a resident what their medication was for and the possible consequences of not taking it.

Residents continue to tell us on how well some staff deal with very difficult and challenging situations at the service. Residents told us that there is always staff around to get the support they needed when they wanted it. They told us how there had been some turnover of staff and that there was 'a few new faces'. Staff were observed interacting with people who live at the service in a relaxed and gentle manor.

A person told us 'I like living here I do what I want and I can smoke when I want' another person told us how 'well' they felt since they have moved to the home. People spoke about being able to go out with support from staff and go to places of interest as well as opportunities to go shopping. People who live at the service told us about the difficulties of communal living and how at the moment an individual's challenging behaviour has affected the well being of other people who live at the service.

People who live at the service told us that they felt safe with most feeling confident to raise any concerns they had with the provider or acting manager and that their concerns would be dealt with promptly.

People continue to tell us that they get their medicines on time and in a form that they prefer.

People who live at the service consistent told us how 'nice' the staff were. Their comments included 'They are all lovely if I need help in the night just call them and they come'. Staff were observed interacting with people who live at the service in a relaxed and gentle manor.

Carers, health and social care professional all spoke positively about their experiences with the service, including how well the service meets the needs of people who have complex mental health needs.

People who use the service told us that they are not interested in being actively involved in the development and review of their care plan but felt able to ask to see any information about them at any time. They told us that the service provides them with equipment to keep them safe and maintain their independence. This included electric wheelchairs, variety of hoists, pressure relieving equipment, walking aids and grab rails.

Social care professional's feedback how well the service supports people who have formal restrictions placed on their individual freedoms in order to protect their safety. Some people told us how their cigarettes are managed by the service but they were not clear how this decision had been made. Not all people were observed to have access to their personal monies as this was managed on their behalf by the service without it being clear if they had given consent for this.

Lots of people who use the service told us that the food was very good and that they had a choice of what to eat and drink. One person said 'the best bit is the food people who come hear all gain weight'. A carer told us about being able to have meals with their relative whenever they visit, which is really important to both themselves and their relative.

People told us that they have access to specialist mental health professionals regularly and when they need additional support. Health and social care processionals told us that they have a good relationship with the service which they rated very highly.

People who live at the service told us that they felt safe. Carers told us that they had not witnessed care that they felt was inappropriate. Carers and people who live at the service said that they felt confident to raise any concerns they had with management and felt that issues would be dealt with promptly.

People who live at the service consistently told us how helpful and kind staff were towards them. Carers consistently spoke positively about the staff describing them as 'courteous' and 'they clearly care about the residents'. A social care professional spoke of the positive impact that having a stable staff team has on the clients that they support to live at the service. Staff said that they felt that there was sufficient staff available to meet peoples needs when they needed it.

Carers told us that they have been asked in the past for their views on the service and if there is anything that could be improved.