Cherry Lodge Rest Home

This report details an inspection of Cherry Lodge Rest Home, a residential care facility for up to 19 individuals aged 65 and over, some of whom live with dementia. The inspection focused on assessing various aspects of the service's provision, including safety, effectiveness of care, how caring staff are, responsiveness to resident needs, and leadership. Overall, the findings indicate a home where residents feel safe and well-supported, with a consistent focus on maintaining quality care and a positive environment.

Regarding the safe delivery of care, residents and their relatives expressed feeling secure and well-protected from harm. Staff demonstrated a clear understanding of safeguarding procedures and received appropriate training. Risk assessments were consistently conducted and managed, ensuring residents’ individual needs were addressed. The home maintains effective infection prevention and control measures, including the appropriate use of PPE and adherence to social distancing guidelines. Furthermore, the recruitment of staff is robust, with thorough checks in place to ensure suitability.

In terms of effective care, residents received their medications on time, and staff had undergone competency checks to ensure safe administration. Care plans were detailed and provided staff with clear guidance on supporting residents with specific needs, such as transfers or skin care. The service has systems in place to learn from incidents, with actions taken to reduce the risk of recurrence, such as implementing sensor mats for individuals prone to falls.

The caring nature of the staff was frequently highlighted, with residents describing staff as kind and compassionate. Interactions observed between staff and residents were positive and respectful, indicating a supportive and attentive atmosphere. Residents felt well-supported with their healthcare needs, and staff were knowledgeable about how to assist individuals requiring specific medical support, such as those on anticoagulants.

The service demonstrated responsiveness to resident needs. Feedback from residents and their families indicated that staff are readily available and that there are sufficient numbers of staff to meet everyone's requirements. Residents and their relatives felt confident in approaching management with any concerns or suggestions for improvement, and their feedback was actively sought and considered.

Finally, the leadership of Cherry Lodge Rest Home was found to be effective. Management fosters a positive and supportive culture, with staff feeling valued and empowered. There is a clear governance structure, and staff understand their roles and responsibilities. The home engages with residents and their families, actively seeking their input on service improvements. While the report mentions management assured inspectors that minor incidents would always be reported to the local authority, and plans were in place to ensure this, this highlights a specific area of ongoing attention.