Belmore Lodge

This report provides an overview of Belmore Lodge following an inspection by the Care Quality Commission. It details how the home performs across five key areas, offering insights into the quality of care provided. The inspection assessed the safety, effectiveness, caring nature, responsiveness, and leadership of the service. Overall, the findings present a picture of a home that prioritises resident well-being and actively seeks to improve its services.

On safety, residents and their families described the care as safe, with staff well-trained to identify and act on any concerns about abuse. Risk assessments are conducted and regularly reviewed, with staff understanding how to minimise identified risks while respecting individual freedoms and choices. There are sufficient staff recruited through safe processes, and medicines are managed securely by trained personnel.

In terms of how effective the care is, staff receive thorough induction and ongoing training, ensuring they have the skills to perform their roles well. The home adheres to the principles of the Mental Capacity Act, ensuring residents' rights and choices are respected. Residents' dietary needs are well understood and catered for, and they have access to necessary healthcare services when required.

Regarding the caring approach, residents and their families consistently described staff as kind, patient, and friendly, with interactions observed to be relaxed and positive. Staff demonstrate a good understanding of individual communication needs, enabling residents to express their wishes and be involved in decisions. Independence, privacy, and dignity are respected, with advocacy services available if needed.

The service is exceptionally responsive to residents' needs. Assessments are thorough and regularly reviewed, with care plans clearly reflecting individual requirements. Residents are encouraged to pursue their interests and maintain community links, with activities reflecting their hobbies. The home has a clear complaints process, and residents feel confident that their concerns would be addressed.

Finally, concerning leadership, the home fosters an open and transparent culture where both residents and staff feel comfortable raising issues. Communication is effective, ensuring everyone is informed and included, and staff feel aligned with the organisation's values. Quality assurance systems are in place to gather feedback and drive improvements in service delivery. While the overall findings are positive, the report does note specific areas of attention such as the need for a risk assessment for an over-the-counter pain medication for a resident who self-administers, which was immediately addressed.