Ridgemount

This report from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) provides an overview of the services provided at Ridgemount, a care home that supports up to 66 residents. The inspection focused on various aspects of care and operations, with particular attention paid to safety measures, responsiveness to resident needs, and leadership effectiveness. The findings aim to give families a clear picture of the home's strengths and areas where improvements are being made to enhance the quality of life for its residents.

Regarding safety, the home has strong systems in place to protect residents from harm. Staff use personal protective equipment correctly, and there are robust procedures for COVID-19 testing for staff, visitors, and residents. Medicines are administered safely and according to prescriptions. Risk assessments are thorough, and emergency plans for fire and evacuation are in place.

In terms of how effective the care is, residents are supported to have control over their lives and are treated with kindness and respect. Staff are knowledgeable about individual care needs, with personalised care plans providing detailed information. Relatives are welcomed, and there is a clear process for raising complaints, with confidence that they will be addressed.

On caring, residents expressed feeling safe, with staff described as kind and doing their best. The home has implemented improved systems for handling safeguarding concerns promptly, and staff have received training to recognise and report suspected abuse.

Looking at how responsive the service is, there is a need for more engaging and varied activities to prevent residents from feeling bored. While staff are expected to initiate activities, they sometimes lack the time due to care responsibilities. The provider is working to support staff in this area, and efforts are being made to ensure activities are meaningful and tailored to individual preferences.

Finally, concerning how well-led the service is, the current leadership team is embracing support to implement improvements. While audits have not always identified all areas for development, there is cooperation with external agencies to enhance the service. Staff feel supported by management, and there's an encouragement for open communication and reporting of concerns. The provider is committed to embedding recent improvements to ensure sustained good practice.