We carried out a review of the data available to us about Lomack Lodge on 6 July 2023. We have not found evidence that we need to carry out an inspection or reassess our rating at this stage.
This could change at any time if we receive new information. We will continue to monitor data about this service.
If you have concerns about Lomack Lodge, you can give feedback on this service.
We found the following examples of good practice.
A system was in place to support safe visiting to the home. All visitors were required to provide evidence of a negative lateral flow test completed on the day of visit and share proof of their COVID-19 vaccination. In addition, staff requested visitors completed screening questions, recorded visitors’ temperature and prompted wearing of face masks and use of hand sanitiser.
On the day of inspection, the home appeared to be visibly clean with no unpleasant odours. People were supported by staff to complete the cleaning of their home. Cleaning schedules were completed by the staff and monitored by the manager to ensure their effectiveness.
Staff had received training in the correct use of personal protective equipment (PPE). Staff were observed wearing PPE correctly. There was adequate supply of PPE at the home. The staff were able to order replenishment of PPE stock using the government PPE portal.
During the COVID-19 pandemic people had been supported by staff to maintain contact with relatives and friends through use of telephone and video calls. In addition, the provider facilitated window visits, garden visits and screened visits in a dedicated room within the home. As restrictions had eased people had been supported to complete visits in the community with their families.
Lomack Lodge is a residential care home providing personal care for three people.
The service has been developed and designed in line with the principles and values that underpin Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. This ensures that people who use the service can live as full a life as possible and achieve the best possible outcomes. The principles reflect the need for people with learning disabilities and/or autism to live meaningful lives that include control, choice, and independence. People using the service receive planned and co-ordinated person-centred support that is appropriate and inclusive for them.
There were deliberately no identifying signs, intercom, cameras, industrial bins or anything else outside to indicate it was a care home. Staff were also discouraged from wearing anything that suggested they were care staff when coming and going with people.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
People were safe, and relatives felt reassured and confident that their family members are in a safe and caring environment. Staff knew how to keep people safe from avoidable harm and abuse. They gave people their medicines safely and followed good infection prevention and control procedures.
Staff had undertaken training and received support from the registered manager to ensure they could do the job well.
People liked the staff that cared for them. People received kind and compassionate care and staff respected people’s privacy, dignity and independence. People were involved in all decisions about their care.
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.
The provider had systems in place to effectively monitor and bring about improvements in the service. Concerns were followed up to make sure action was taken to rectify the issue. People and their relatives were asked their view of the service and changes were made to any areas they were not happy with.
The outcomes for people using the service reflected the principles and values of Registering the Right Support by promoting choice and control, independence and inclusion. People's support focused on them having as many opportunities as possible for them to gain new skills and become more independent.
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 23 March 2018). Since this rating was awarded the service has moved premises. We have used the previous rating to inform our planning and decisions about the rating at this inspection.
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.
Follow up
We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.