Cedar Lodge Care Home

Following the last inspection, we formally requested the provider to send us a monthly action plan telling us what they had improved and where improvements continued to be made at the service, with timescales. At this inspection, we found the provider's action plan had driven some improvements and risks associated with people's care were managed safely. Known risks relating to people's health and welfare and environmental risks were better managed.

The provider's quality assurance systems were improved and had begun to highlight where further improvements were needed. Management restructuring and reviewing their own audit systems through a critical eye had begun to identify improvement. With increased adaptations and improvements, the audit processes now need to become embedded into everyday practice to ensure its true effectiveness. This meant the provider was no longer in breach.

People received their medicines from trained and competent staff. We found improvements had been made in the management of 'patch medicines' and body maps were now in place to show where those medicines had been applied. However, we recommended the registered manager sought advice to ensure patch medicines were applied as directed when increased rotational administration to the body was required.

People who required 'as and when' medicines had a protocol in place to tell staff, when, how and at what dose, these medicines should be given safely. Risks for some people were updated, reviewed and reflected the support people needed. Staff knew how to manage those risks. The provider told us they had spent time since the last inspection, updating people's care plans and they were more confident records supported positive outcomes for people.

People were pleased with the support and the quality of care they received. People were complimentary of staff and the management of the home and told us they felt safe receiving care and support from staff.

The provider had sufficiently trained and suitable staff on shift to meet people's needs. People told us they felt there were enough staff on duty to meet their needs. Where people had used their call bell to request a staff member, people said they did not wait long for assistance. The provider continued to follow safe recruitment processes.

During our visit, the home was in a COVID-19 outbreak which had impacted on staff availability. The management team stepped in to cover gaps in shifts to ensure people's needs continued to be met.

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.