This comprehensive inspection took place on 5 and 6 September 2018. The visit on 5 September was unannounced and we arranged with the registered manager to return on 6 September to finish the inspection. This was the first inspection of the service after the provider changed in October 2017.

Elm Lodge 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.

The service was purpose-built and accommodates up to 75 people across five separate units, each of which has separate adapted facilities. One of the units specialises in providing care to people with nursing care needs who are living with dementia. Three units provide support for people who require residential care and one of these units is for people who are also living with the experience of dementia. The fifth unit provides care for people with general nursing care needs.

The service has a 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.

There were systems in place to protect people from abuse and staff had completed training in safeguarding people.

The provider assessed risks to people using the service and staff and acted to mitigate any risks they identified.

The provider completed checks on staff before they started work in the service to make sure they were suitable to work with people using the service.

People received the medicines they needed safely and as prescribed. People had access to the healthcare services they needed. People’s care plans included information about their nutritional needs and staff kept records to show that people had enough to eat and drink.

Care and housekeeping staff kept the building clean to help control the risk of infection.

Nurses and care staff delivered people’s care, treatment and support in line with current standards and guidance.

Staff had completed training the provider considered mandatory and additional training to meet the care needs of people using the service.

Staff sought consent from people they cared for in line with the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards.

Staff in the service treated people with kindness, respect and compassion.

The provider involved people using the service and their families in reviewing the care and support people received.

All staff working in the service respected people’s privacy and dignity and encouraged people to remain as independent as possible.

People had an individual plan that detailed their care needs and preferences for the staff who cared for and supported them.

The provider had a policy and procedures for responding to any complaints they received.