Bentley Lodge Care Home

Since the last inspection published on 29 May 2021, whilst the registered provider has not changed, there have been changes in the provider’s leadership, with a change in the nominated individual and 2 changes of registered manager. This was a responsive inspection of all 5 key questions triggered by our ongoing monitoring of the service.

The registered manager has been registered for over 2 years and was very experienced. Since joining the service, they had developed both the home’s culture and the staff team to ensure they were working effectively together across roles, teams and departments to deliver people’s care. They had recently recruited a new clinical lead, who was also the deputy manager. The clinical lead had significant experience in working with people with dementia and was looking to make further improvements to both the environment and activities for people living with dementia.

There was an open culture, where people, relatives and staff felt able to raise any issues and were listened to. Safety incidents were reviewed and used as an opportunity to learn and to make any improvements required. There were sufficient numbers of well-motivated staff in all roles to provide people’s care and treatment safely. Staff in all roles were supported to maintain their knowledge and skills and encouraged to undertake further professional development.

People received effective and responsive care as staff planned their care in partnership with them and their representatives. People’s care planning considered all of their assessed needs and preferences. Staff discussed potential risks to people with them and how they wanted them managed.

Nurses sought external input about people’s planned treatments where they were complex and additional guidance was required.

We saw staff were compassionate to people and their relatives. Staff were kind and caring to people. Staff provided people with a range of opportunities for social stimulation both through in-house activities and community links. People saw their visitors when and where they wished.

We found some aspects of the service could be further improved, for example, some staff’s spoken English skills and the deployment of some staff at lunchtime. The registered manager was already aware of these issues and was looking at how to address them for people.