Shipston Lodge

Shipston Lodge is a purpose-built home with care and support provided across two floors. On both floors there were communal areas, dining areas and lounges, as well as people's bedrooms which were all ensuite. People could access both floors of the home via a lift or staircase. On the ground floor was a bistro area where people could meet each other and where the provider held a weekly dementia café.

At this inspection, we found the provider had made positive improvements. Since the last inspection, there was a new registered manager who had spent time adding to and increasing the oversight of the service to improve people's outcomes.

Additional audits, checks and daily meetings with clinical staff helped ensure people received the right care and support. Heads of department meetings were held frequently which helped ensure the whole service continued to meet people's needs. New admission information was shared with key staff, so staff were prepared to provide the right care to the person.

Care plans and risks assessments supported people's needs and plans were personalised to individual needs.

People and relatives were complimentary of staff. Staff knew people well and we saw during our visit, staff quickly responded to situations to help promote good care outcomes.

Staff interacted with people at their pace, unrushed and talking to people with familiarity. Staff were involved and engaged, and we saw they had time to sit and chat to people which helped develop relaxed and supportive relationships.

People were safe because staff understood their responsibility to report any concerns to protect people from the risk of abuse.

The provider had their own staff team and had limited or no reliance on agency staff. This meant staff who supported people knew them well. Staff received training in key areas and staff said they felt supported to pursue additional training and opportunities to increase their knowledge and confidence. Competency checks were completed for staff to ensure they supported people safely with medicines.

Infection control systems ensured the home was clean. Housekeeping staff supported the home and staff wore personal protective equipment to help minimise the risk of cross infection. Maintenance and regular environmental checks on health and safety ensured the home remained safe for people.

People's overall feedback to us was positive of a service they received that they felt met their needs. People and relatives could attend meetings to share any feedback about the service. Some people and relatives said when they raised some issues the responses were not always timely. However, the general view was the service had improved since our last inspection with the overall management and staff team.

Families and external health visitors were welcomed and there were no restrictions on visiting arrangements.

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.