Redbond Lodge

Updated 18 March 2021

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.

As part of CQC’s response to the coronavirus pandemic we are looking at the preparedness of care homes in relation to infection prevention and control. This was a targeted inspection looking at the infection control and prevention measures the provider has in place.

This inspection took place on 09 March 2021 and was announced.

Updated 18 March 2021

The inspection took place on 7 September 2017 and was unannounced.

Redbond Lodge is a residential care home registered to provide accommodation for 83 older people who require personal care, some of whom are living with dementia. There were 80 people living at the home on the day of our inspection.

At the last inspection we rated the service good overall with a 'requires improvement' rating in the domain of safe due to insufficient staffing levels. At this inspection we found the service had made the necessary improvements and we found the service good across all five domains.

There were enough staff deployed to meet people's needs in a safe and timely manner. Robust systems for the safe recruitment of staff were in place.

People were protected from harm as staff knew how to safeguard people from the risk of abuse and understood their responsibilities to report any concerns. Staff were aware of the risks to people and how to manage them to keep people safe. Risks to people were assessed and management plans were put in place to minimise risk.

Medicines were managed safely by staff who had been trained and assessed as competent to administer medicines and maintain accurate records.

We have made a recommendation about the management of topical creams.

Staff had access to regular training to ensure they developed the skills and knowledge to be competent in their role. Staff were supported through supervision, observations and appraisals to develop professionally.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

The service ensured people had enough to eat and drink. People were supported to access healthcare services in a timely way to maintain their health and wellbeing.

Staff listened to people and treated them with kindness and courtesy. Communication between staff and people was friendly and respectful.

The service involved people and their representatives in their care and support planning to ensure that care was provided the way people wanted. Staff knew people well, could describe their routines and preferences and understood how to provide person-centred care.

People had access to a range of activities which reflected their interests and preferences. Consideration was given to people living with dementia with items and activities were available to provide stimulation and engagement.

There were procedures in place to manage any complaints and the service responded to complaints appropriately. The service listened and responded positively to feedback from people, relatives and staff.

There was a longstanding registered manager in post who had developed positive working relationships with external agencies which benefitted the people who used the service. The manager and their deputy were hands-on and visible within the service which promoted a positive culture with the emphasis on teamwork and providing person-centred care.

Quality assurance systems were in place to assess and monitor the quality of service that people received and identify areas that required improvement.

Further information is in the detailed findings below.