This inspection took place on 21 September 2017 and was unannounced. This meant the staff and provider did not know we would be visiting.

Brierton Lodge Care Home provides care and accommodation for up to 58 people with nursing needs, some of whom have a dementia related condition. On the day of our inspection there were 57 people using the service.

The service had a registered manager in place. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) to manage the service. Like providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

Brierton Lodge had not previously been inspected by CQC under its current registration.

The home was clean, spacious and suitable for the people who used the service, and appropriate health and safety checks had been carried out.

Risk assessments were in place for people who used the service and described potential risks and the safeguards in place to mitigate these risks. Accidents and incidents were appropriately recorded and investigated.

The registered manager understood their responsibilities with regard to safeguarding and staff had been trained in safeguarding vulnerable adults.

Medicines were stored safely and securely, and procedures were in place to ensure people received medicines as prescribed.

There were sufficient numbers of staff on duty in order to meet the needs of people who used the service. The provider had an effective recruitment and selection procedure in place and carried out relevant vetting checks when they employed staff.

Staff were suitably trained and training was arranged for any due or overdue refresher training. Staff received regular supervisions and appraisals.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible.

People were protected from the risk of poor nutrition and staff were aware of people’s nutritional needs. Care records contained evidence of people being supported during visits to and from external health care specialists.

People who used the service and family members were complimentary about the standard of care at Brierton Lodge Care Home. Staff treated people with dignity and respect and helped to maintain people’s independence by encouraging them to care for themselves where possible.

Care plans were in place that recorded people’s plans and wishes for their end of life care.

Care records showed that people’s needs were assessed before they started using the service and care plans were written in a person-centred way. Person-centred is about ensuring the person is at the centre of any care or support plans and their individual wishes, needs and choices are taken into account.

Activities were arranged for people who used the service based on their likes and interests and to help meet their social needs. The service had good links with the local community.

People who used the service and family members were aware of how to make a complaint and complaints had been appropriately dealt with.

The provider had an effective quality assurance process in place. Staff said they felt supported by the manager and were comfortable raising any concerns. People who used the service, family members and staff were regularly consulted about the quality of the service via meetings and surveys.