Rookhurst Lodge

Updated 8 May 2019

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. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.’

Inspection team:

When planning the inspection visit we took account of the size of the service and that some people at the service could find visitors unsettling. As a result, this inspection was carried out by one inspector without an expert by experience or specialist advisor. Experts by experience are people who have direct experience of using health and social care services.

Service and service type:

Rookhurst Lodge is a care home. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

The service had a manager registered with the Care Quality Commission. This means that they and the provider are legally responsible for how the service is run and for the quality and safety of the care provided.

The service has been developed in line with the values that underpin the Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. These values include choice, promotion of independence and inclusion. People with learning disabilities and autism using the service can live as ordinary a life as any citizen

Notice of inspection:

The inspection was unannounced and took place on 8 April 2019.

What we did:

Prior to the inspection we reviewed all the information we held about the service including notifications received by the Commission. A notification is information about important events which the service is required to tell us about by law. We reviewed the Provider Information Return (PIR). This is information we request to provide some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make.

During the inspection we gathered information from:

• Notifications we received from the service

• Two staff members

• Three people who lived at the service and one visiting relative. We also observed staff interactions with people.

• Three people’s care records and progress records.

• Records of accidents, incidents, complaints and compliments

• Audits and quality assurance reports

• Medication Administration Records (MAR) charts and medicine audits

• The registered manager, regional operations director and training director.

• Business continuity plan and records relating to the premises and environment

• Training records and staff recruitment

After the inspection we gathered information from:

• Two relatives

• One healthcare professional

Updated 8 May 2019

About the service:

Rookhurst Lodge is a residential care home that was providing personal and nursing care to people living with a learning disability, autism and/or mental health needs. At the time of the inspection, six people were receiving care and support at Rookhurst Lodge.

Rookhurst Lodge was compliant with the values underpinned in Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. These values include choice, promotion of independence and inclusion. People had access to local amenities, facilitates and services such as healthcare and were supported to access these regularly.

People’s experience of using this service:

• Staff had access to a wide range of training which in turn supported them to meet people's needs effectively. They sought advice from a wide range of healthcare professionals, and took initiative to support people according to their needs at the time. Staff knew people extremely well, and what approaches were effective with them, which added to the effectiveness of the service.

•The provider supported staff in providing effective care for people through person-centred care planning, training and supervision. This ensured the provision of best practice guidance and supported staff to meet people’s individual needs.

• There was a friendly atmosphere in the service and staff were caring and compassionate in their approach towards people. Staff knew people extremely well and supported people to access the local community and engage in activities of their choice. Staff knew people’s daily routines and what was important to them.

• There was a positive culture within the service where people, staff and relatives felt listened to. Quality assurance systems were in place which ensured high standards were maintained.

• The management of medicines was safe and the provider was following best practice guidance around stopping the over-medication of people living with a learning disability.

• People were truly placed at the centre of the service and were consulted on every level. Respect for privacy and dignity, and supporting people to feel truly, 'at home', was at the heart of the provider's culture and values.

• People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible. Staff empowered people to make day to day decisions and people were supported by staff to prepare their evening meal.

This service met the characteristics of Good. More information is in the 'Detailed Findings' below.

Rating at last inspection: Last rated Good. Inspection report published on 25 October 2016.

Why we inspected: This was a planned comprehensive inspection that was scheduled to take place in line with Care Quality Commission (CQC) scheduling guidelines for adult social care services.

Follow up: We will review the service in line with our methodology for 'Good' services

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