The inspection took place on 26 February and 14 March 2018. The first day of inspection was unannounced and the second day announced. This was the first rating inspection for the home. Following this inspection we have rated the home as Good.

Bryony Lodge Care Home is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection. Bryony Lodge Care Home accommodates up to 45 people. At the time of our inspection there were 38 people living at the home some of whom were living with dementia.

The provider had recently appointed a registered manager. A new manager had started their employment at the home three weeks prior to our inspection. They had applied to the CQC to become the registered manager. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered 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.

People, relatives and staff told us the new registered manager was approachable and supportive. They told us the new manager was making improvements to the home.

People and relatives gave us positive feedback during our inspection. They told us the care they received was good and that staff were kind and caring. People confirmed staff were respectful towards them and their independence was promoted as much as possible.

There were sufficient staff deployed to meet people’s needs in a timely way. Staff were visible around the home and available to support and assist people when required.

Staff felt the home was safe. They said they did not have concerns about safety but knew how to raise concerns if required. The provider followed local safeguarding procedures when dealing with safeguarding concerns. Previous concerns had been fully investigated and resolved.

Medicines were managed safely. Records accurately accounted for the medicines staff had given to people. Other records conformed medicines were received, stored and disposed of safely.

Although the provider completed recruitment checks, these were not always done in line with the provider’s recruitment policy. In particular, the provider did not always seek to acquire a second employment reference in line with its policy.

Staff completed health and safety checks and risk assessments to maintain a safe environment. Plans had been developed to deal with unforeseen emergency situations.

Incidents and accidents in the home were investigated. Regular monitoring took place to ensure appropriate action had been taken and lessons were learnt.

The home was clean and well maintained. Staff commented the cleanliness of the home had improved significantly since the provider took over.

Management supported staff well and provided training opportunities relevant to each staff member’s role. Training, supervisions and appraisals were up to date.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

People gave positive feedback about the meals provided at the home. Staff supported people with the nutritional needs and to access health care services when needed.

Work was underway to review people’s care plans so that they contained current information and reflected their needs.

People had opportunities to participate in a range of activities, such as baking, games and arts and crafts.

Complaints had been fully investigated and resolved in line with the provider’s complaint procedure.

The provider carried out a range of quality assurance checks to help ensure people received a good quality of care