CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Arun Lodge Residential Care Home
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
What inspectors found, September 2019
Arun Lodge Residential Care Home was rated Good; inspectors found kind, safe care but some records and checks needed strengthening.
This was an unannounced inspection on 31 July 2019. One inspector spoke with people living in the home, a relative, staff and a health professional. They also checked care plans, medicines, recruitment, training and management records.
All five areas were rated Good: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. People described staff as kind and respectful. Inspectors found that people's care needs, choices, health needs and activities were generally well supported.
There were some areas to improve. Quality checks were not always recorded, some care plans were out of date and supervision meetings were not always documented. The home was rated Good overall, as it was at the previous inspection published in February 2017.
Kind and respectful staff
Inspectors saw staff treating people with kindness, dignity and compassion. Staff supported independence and understood how people communicated.
“People were treated with dignity and compassion. There was also lots of friendly and supportive conversations” from the report
Good health support
The home worked with a range of health professionals and made referrals when needed. A health professional gave very positive feedback about communication and following guidance.
“They communicate well, follow guidance and make appropriate referrals. I can't fault them” from the report
Food and mealtimes
People spoke positively about the food. Staff supported people who ate in their rooms, and nutrition was monitored.
“People were supported to eat and drink, and meals looked appetising and nutritious.” from the report
Safe staffing and relationships
Inspectors found staffing levels were sufficient at the visit. People knew the permanent staff well and had developed trusting relationships with them.
“People knew the permanent staff well, and it was clear they had developed good and trusting relationships.” from the report
Quality checks were not fully recorded
needs fixingThe manager checked medicines records but did not record the findings. The report said the wider quality assurance system needed strengthening so the home could show what action it had taken.
“Quality assurance systems needed strengthening, to make sure the provider could demonstrate actions to mitigate risk and make improvements to the quality of the service people received.” from the report
Portable radiator risk
seriousTwo bedrooms had free-standing portable radiators. They were not being used, but inspectors said they could cause burns if used without suitable risk assessments.
“However, when used these radiators have high surface temperatures and people could be at risk of burns.” from the report
Some care plans were out of date
needs fixingSome care plans had not been updated regularly and some had not been updated for several months. Management had a plan to improve this.
“The deputy manager acknowledged that some of the care plans had not been updated for several months.” from the report
Training and supervision records
minorStaff said they felt supported, but supervision meetings were not always recorded. The manager had a plan to formalise these meetings.
“Supervision meetings, which give staff and their manager the opportunity to discuss work performance and development needs, were not always recorded.” from the report
Covert medicines decision
needs fixingOne person received medicines without knowing they were being given. There was GP authorisation and consultation with a relative, but the pharmacist had not been involved as recommended.
“The pharmacist had not been involved in the decision making. This is not in line with nationally recommended best practice.” from the report
- 01What records do you now keep to show that medicines checks and other quality checks have been completed?
- 02What action was taken about the portable radiators in the two bedrooms?
- 03How often are care plans reviewed now, and how do you make sure updates are completed promptly?
- 04Are staff supervision meetings now recorded, and how are any training or support needs followed up?
- 05If covert medicines are needed, how are the GP, pharmacist and relatives involved in the decision?
This was an unannounced planned inspection that looked at all five CQC areas, including the care provided and the home environment; all five ratings were Good and carried over from the previous Good inspection with this visit confirming them. This explanation was written from the published report of 18 September 2019 by an AI system and checked against the report text: every quoted line appears in the report. It is a guide to the report, not a substitute for it. Read the full report on cqc.org.uk.
What inspectors found, February 2017
Arun Lodge Residential Care Home was rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and personalised care across all five areas.
This was an unannounced routine inspection on 31 January 2017. One inspector observed care, reviewed records and spoke with six people, one relative and staff.
The home supported up to 19 older people, including some people living with dementia. There were 16 people living there during the inspection, and nursing care was not provided.
Inspectors found suitable staffing, safe medicines arrangements, up-to-date staff training and good support with food, drink and healthcare. People were treated with kindness and respect, had personalised care plans and could choose from a range of activities.
All five areas were rated Good: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. This means the inspection found a good standard of care, and the home remained Good since the previous inspection on 14 August 2014.
Safety and safeguarding
Staff knew how to recognise and respond to possible abuse. Risks were assessed and reviewed monthly.
“People were protected from abuse and harm and staff recognised the signs of potential abuse.” from the report
Medicines
Medicines were stored securely and staff who administered them had training and competency checks. The records inspected had no gaps or omissions.
“Medicine administration records (MAR's) that we examined were completed correctly with no gaps or omissions.” from the report
Personalised support
Care plans recorded people's likes, dislikes and support needs. Staff knew how people preferred to spend their time and responded when needs changed.
“The care plans provided staff with detailed guidance on the care and support people needed and how this should be delivered.” from the report
Quality checks
The home carried out regular checks covering areas such as care plans, medicines, accidents, complaints, food hygiene and health and safety.
“Records we requested were accessed quickly and were consistently maintained, accurate and fit for purpose.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How many staff are on duty during the day, evening and night now?
- 02How are medicines checked and how do you make sure records remain complete?
- 03How would you support my relative if their care needs changed or they needed nursing care?
- 04How are care plans reviewed and updated when a person's needs or preferences change?
- 05Which activities are currently available, and how do you match them to each person's interests?
This was an unannounced routine inspection covering all five key questions; the report says the Good rating remained unchanged from 14 August 2014. This explanation was written from the published report of 23 February 2017 by an AI system and checked against the report text: every quoted line appears in the report. It is a guide to the report, not a substitute for it. Read the full report on cqc.org.uk.
Every inspection of Arun Lodge Residential Care Home
3 rated inspections over 5 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- September 2019Goodcurrent ratingstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
Read what inspectors found at Arun Lodge Residential Care Home →
- February 2017Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
Read what inspectors found at Arun Lodge Residential Care Home →
- January 2015GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- September 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- September 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- May 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- March 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- December 2010
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 30 December 2010.
Ratings and report dates from the Care Quality Commission, Open Government Licence v3.0. A home can also be visited without a new rating being published, so the timeline shows published inspections.
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28 live-in carers within about an hour of West Sussex
These are self-employed carers on PrimeCarers, the introductory agency that runs this directory. Each has a profile with their own rates and reviews from families, and you choose who to talk to.
Most charge £1,020 to £1,170 a week. 23 can care for a couple. 11 years' experience on average.
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