Updated 5 May 2021
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 Care Act 2014.
As part of this inspection we looked at the infection control and prevention measures in place. This was conducted so we can understand the preparedness of the service in preventing or managing an infection outbreak, and to identify good practice we can share with other services.
Inspection team
The inspection was completed by one inspector.
Service and service type
Portland Lodge is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement. 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.
Notice of inspection
We gave the service 24 hours’ notice of the inspection. This was because we needed to be sure that the provider or registered manager would be available to support the inspection.
What we did before inspection
Before the inspection we reviewed the information, we had about the service, including registration reports and notifications. Notifications are information about specific important events the service is legally required to send to us. The provider was not asked to complete a provider information return prior to this inspection. This is information we require providers to send us to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We took this into account when we inspected the service and made the judgements in this report. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.
During the inspection
We spoke with nine people who lived at Portland Lodge about their experience of the care provided. We carried out observations of people's experiences throughout the inspection. We viewed the homes environment, looked at medicines management systems and records, recruitment records for two newer staff members and also assessed how the home was managing infection prevention and control.
After the inspection
We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We reviewed additional information sent to us by the registered manager. This included four people’s care plans and related records of care they had received. Additionally, a variety of records relating to the management of the service, including accident and incident records and policies and procedures, audits and information about staff training and support were reviewed.
We spoke with five care staff as well as housekeeping and maintenance staff. We received written feedback from five health or social care professionals. We spoke with the providers nominated individual and clarified further information with the registered manager. The nominated individual is responsible for supervising the management of the service on behalf of the provider.