Meadowfield Lodge

Updated 3 January 2024

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.

Inspection team

The inspection was undertaken by 1 inspector.

Service and service type

Meadowfield 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. Meadowfield 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 reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We sought feedback from the local authority and professionals who work with the service. We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return (PIR). This is information providers are required to send us annually with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. We used all this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with 4 people. We spoke with 6 members of staff, including the registered manager and the regional manager. We reviewed 5 people’s care files and numerous medicine administration records (MARs). We reviewed a variety of documents relating to the management and governance of the service.

Updated 3 January 2024

About the service

Meadowfield Lodge is a residential care home providing personal care to up to 24 people. The service provides support to older people, some of whom may be living with dementia. At the time of our inspection there were 18 people using the service. Accommodation is provided over three floors in an adapted building.

People’s experience of using this service and what we found

Risks to people were assessed and their safety monitored and managed. However, we identified some areas of some care plans where not all the information was consistent.

We have made a recommendation about how the provider reviews their approach to the management and oversight of care plans to ensure consistency.

Sufficient numbers of suitable staff were available to meet people's needs. People were protected by the prevention and control of infection. Systems and processes were in place to safeguard people from abuse. Medicines were administered safely by trained and competent staff. Lessons learned were identified and improvements made when things went wrong.

People received support to eat and drink, where necessary, and staff prompted people to eat and drink enough to maintain a balanced diet. People's needs and choices were assessed and people received care and support in line with current legislation and best practice guidance. Staff were trained and received additional training to support people's individual health conditions and needs. There was a strong staff team ethos, and staff worked consistently together to deliver effective care and support. People's health needs were recorded and monitored. Staff were vigilant in ensuring people received health professional visits and input when necessary. People's needs were met by the adaptation and design of the premises. Dementia-friendly signage was in place. The registered manager had identified a number of areas where the environment and its decoration could be improved. Consent to care and treatment was sought, recorded and monitored in line with legislation and guidance.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

People were treated with kindness, respect and compassion. Staff understood people's emotional support needs and provided it. People were supported to express their views and were involved in making decisions about their care and support. Staff treated people with dignity. People's privacy was respected and their independence promoted. Staff interactions with people were kind and compassionate.

People received personalised care which was responsive to their needs. Care plans were very person-centred. People's concerns and complaints were recorded, listened and responded to. Feedback was used to review and improve care delivery. People were supported at the end of their life and had their wishes recorded.

There was a clear vision for high-quality care in the home, led by the registered manager. The culture was positive, open and welcoming throughout. There was a governance framework in place to monitor and support quality care delivery. People, relatives and staff were invested and involved in the running of the service. Open communication was embedded in the home. The registered manager led by example to ensure the service continuously learned and improved care. The service worked closely with partner organisations to ensure people received care and support appropriate to their needs.

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk

Rating at last inspection

The last rating for this service was good (published 21 November 2017).

Why we inspected

This inspection was undertaken as part of CQC’s scheduled inspection process.

Follow up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.