Barnes Lodge

This report from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) provides an overview of Barnes Lodge following an inspection in April 2023. The inspection aimed to assess the service’s performance against key areas, following previous concerns. It details findings related to how safe, effective, caring, responsive, and well-led the home is, offering insights into the care experienced by residents and the operational practices of the service. While improvements have been noted since the last inspection, the report highlights specific areas where further development is required to ensure the highest standards of care are consistently met.

On safety, significant improvements have been made, with residents reporting feeling safe and staff feeling more empowered to raise concerns. However, further work is needed in areas such as the detailed assessment and mitigation of individual risks, especially concerning epilepsy and pressure area care, and ensuring complete fire safety checks and detailed evacuation plans. Medicines management has seen progress, but precision in recording and clarity in protocols for 'when required' medicines need enhancement. Recruitment processes are still being refined to ensure all checks are thoroughly completed.

Regarding effective care, residents are receiving better support for their health needs, and care planning is being updated. Nevertheless, greater individualisation of care plans is recommended to ensure they consistently provide the necessary guidance for personalised care delivery.

In terms of caring practices, residents are being treated with more dignity and respect, and staff are spending more time engaging with them. People expressed happiness with the kind and caring attitude of both regular and agency staff, noting their willingness to go the extra mile.

For responsiveness, more activities are now available, and staff have more time to engage with residents, contributing to more meaningful days. The management of complaints and end-of-life care planning has also seen improvements. However, information accessibility, such as menus in large print, requires further attention.

Concerning how well-led the service is, the provider's governance systems are evolving, and monitoring processes are being updated to ensure continuous quality improvement. Staff feel heard and are positive about the changes being implemented by the registered manager, with good engagement observed with residents, relatives, and staff.