Brook Lodge

Updated 1 July 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

Brook 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

This inspection was unannounced.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. The provider was not asked to complete a provider information return. This is information providers are required to send us with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. This information helps support our inspections. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with five people who used the service and one relative about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with seven members of staff including the registered manager, two deputy managers, senior care worker, two care workers and clinical lead. We spoke with one visiting professional. We used the Short Observational Framework for Inspection (SOFI). SOFI is a way of observing care to help us understand the experience of people who could not talk with us.

We reviewed a range of records. This included multiple medication and safety records. We looked at three staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision.

After the inspection

We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We looked at training data, quality assurance records and five people’s care plans. We spoke with six relatives.

Updated 1 July 2021

About the service

Brook Lodge is a residential care home providing personal and nursing care to 36 older people who may be living with dementia at the time of the inspection. The service can support up to 55 people in two large units.

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

People told us they felt safe living at the service. Relatives told us they were happy their loved ones lived at the service and felt they were safe and well cared for.

The service was clean and hygienic and personal protective equipment was available following government guidelines. However, we observed some staff were not wearing face masks as required, staff confirmed they understood the requirements to wear face masks. The provider took appropriate action immediately and there is a plan in place to make sure it did not happen again.

Potential risks to people’s health, welfare and safety had been assessed and there was guidance in place to reduce the risk. Accidents and incidents had been recorded and analysed to identify patterns and trends; action had been taken to reduce the risk of them happening again. There were systems in place to protect people from discrimination and abuse.

People’s medicines were managed safely. Staff monitored people’s health and referred people to relevant health professionals. Staff followed the advice given to keep people as healthy as possible.

Staff had been recruited safely and received training appropriate to their role. Staff received supervision to develop their skills and practice.

The management team completed assessments before people moved into the service to check staff could meet their needs. People had care plans detailing their choices and preferences and these had been reviewed.

People were supported to eat a balanced diet; people had a choice of meals. People had access to activities they enjoyed. People were given information in a format they could understand.

People were treated with dignity and respect; they were supported to be as independent as possible. People’s end of life wishes were recorded, staff worked with the GP and district nurse to support people at the end of their life.

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 management team completed checks and audits on the quality of the service and acted when shortfalls were found. There was an open and transparent culture within the service. Relatives told us they knew how to complain and were confident action would be taken.

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 the service under the previous provider was requires improvement, (published on 3 July 2019.)

Why we inspected

This was the first inspection under this provider since the service was registered on 10 October 2019.

We looked at infection prevention and control measures under the Safe key question. We look at this in all care home inspections even if no concerns or risks have been identified. This is to provide assurance that the service can respond to COVID-19 and other infection outbreaks effectively.

You can read the report from our last comprehensive inspection, by selecting the ‘all reports’ link for Brook Lodge on our website at www.cqc.org.uk.