Background to this inspection
Updated
21 November 2020
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.
This was a targeted inspection looking at the infection control and prevention measures the provider has in place. As part of CQC’s response to the coronavirus pandemic we are conducting a thematic review of infection control and prevention measures in care homes.
The service was selected to take part in this thematic review which is seeking to identify examples of good practice in infection prevention and control.
This inspection took place on 10 November 2020 and was announced.
Updated
21 November 2020
About the service: Aspen Lodge is registered to provide nursing and personal care to 35 people, including people living with dementia. The service was supporting 34 people at the time of our inspection.
People’s experience of using this service: The registered manager displayed a commitment to providing high quality person-centred care. However, owing to other work commitments they had not maintained effective management systems to achieve this.
The provider had not submitted statutory notifications to the Care Quality Commission to tell us about significant events. The registered manager and provider did not follow all their systems to check safety and quality issues within the service. The issues we found during our inspection had not always been identified or addressed by the provider. The provider’s representative was very responsive when we highlighted our concerns to them.
Staff sickness rates had been high and there was insufficient staff to meet people’s needs on those shifts when cover was not available. Satisfactory standards of hygiene had not been maintained and improvements were made during the inspection with cleaning schedules and the provision of new furniture. The adequacy of cleaning hours was under review.
Risk was not managed consistently which placed people at risk of harm. Accidents and incidents were not analysed so that lessons could be learned to reduce the risk of future harm. People had assessments and plans regarding their care and support needs. However, the care plans were not always kept up to date when changes occurred. There were limited opportunities for social stimulation.
Although the registered manager understood mental capacity legislation, they had not properly overseen and made applications for authorisations under Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS).
Staff understood how to identify and report any safeguarding concerns. Medicines were managed safely. Safe recruitment processes had been followed.
Staff received appropriate training, which was updated when needed. Staff felt well-supported and gaps in the supervision and appraisal programmes were being addressed. Staff said they enjoyed their work, there was good teamwork and a positive culture within the service.
People spoke positively about the registered manager; they felt they received good care and support from staff. People were treated with respect and dignity and their independence encouraged and supported. Where people required support at the end of their lives, this was carried out with compassion and dignity.
There were systems in place to enable people to share their opinion of the service provided and the general facilities at 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: At the last inspection the service was rated Good (report published 27 July 2016).
Why we inspected: The inspection was a scheduled inspection based on the previous rating.
Follow up: We will work with the provider following this report being published to understand and monitor how they will make changes to ensure the service improves their rating to at least good.