Harbledown Lodge

Harbledown Lodge is a care home that provides personal and nursing care for up to 56 older people, some of whom may be living with dementia. This report details findings from an inspection conducted in February 2023. The inspection focused on safety and leadership, with previous ratings from 2019 being good. This report's findings indicate that improvements are needed in several key areas to ensure the best possible care for residents. The overall rating has changed, reflecting the need for enhanced oversight and implementation of robust care practices.

On safety, while residents generally felt safe, there were instances where risks to health and safety were not consistently assessed, and guidance for staff was not always clear. Inaccurate record-keeping presented a risk that residents might not have received the necessary care. Issues with medication management and maintaining hygienic premises to prevent infection were also noted. Staff recruitment was found to be safe, and there were sufficient staff to meet residents' needs. The service also had effective systems to protect people from abuse and discrimination, and residents were supported to maintain choice and control over their lives.

In terms of how effective the care is, this was not a primary focus of this inspection, but previous reports indicated a good standard.

Regarding caring practices, residents reported feeling safe and well-supported by staff.

For responsiveness, the home engaged with residents and staff through surveys, addressing concerns raised, such as the purchase of new hot trolleys for meal delivery. The recruitment of an activities coordinator was underway, though taking some time.

In the well-led domain, while systems for quality monitoring were in place, they had not always effectively identified or addressed the shortfalls found during this inspection. Communication with complainants had not always been transparent, though this is being reviewed. However, residents and relatives generally found managers approachable and felt their concerns were listened to. The service also worked in partnership with other agencies to ensure residents received necessary support.