This inspection took place on the 6 and 7 November 2017 and was unannounced. This was the first inspection of Ferrol Lodge since the home had been re-registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in October 2016. The re-registration had taken place as the home was purchased by the then registered manager of the home. The general manager became the current registered manager with the Care Quality Commission. The service, under its previous registration, Ferrol Lodge Care Home, was inspected in August 2016 and was rated good overall.

Ferrol 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.

Ferrol Lodge provides care and accommodation for up to 23 older people in 19 single and two double bedrooms. Bedrooms are arranged over two floors and these can be accessed by stairways or a passenger lift. Communal space is provided in the form of a lounge, dining room and a spacious conservatory. At the time of our inspection there were 22 people living at the home. One double room was used by a married couple and the other double room was currently used by only one person.

The service had a registered manager in post. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the CQC 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.

All the people we spoke with were very complimentary about the care staff at Ferrol Lodge. They were described in glowing terms as being extremely kind and helpful. Relatives we spoke with were also very ositive of the staff team supporting their loved ones, commenting how friendly and caring the staff were. Staff had gone above and beyond their role when they supported one person to attend a staff member’s wedding.

Feedback we received from the local authority social services and visiting health professionals was also very positive. We were told how the staff were knowledgeable about people’s support needs and made the home welcoming to visitors. A report by Trafford Healthwatch commented “The staff members have great working relations with each other and maintain excellent relations with residents and their relatives. They have great communication schemes that help to maintain these links.”

People’s life history, likes and dislikes were identified so staff were able to form meaningful relationships with people. A comprehensive one page profile was available in each person’s bedroom, detailing people’s preferences and things that were important to them. People were supported to maintain their faith, with three different priests or vicars visiting the home.

We saw very positive interactions between staff and people throughout our inspection. Staff took time to listen to people and encouraged them to maintain their independence by supporting and praising them to do tasks for themselves. Throughout the inspection the staff showed how they respected people’s privacy and dignity.

People said that they felt safe living at Ferrol Lodge. Care plans identified people’s health and support needs. Potential risks were identified and risk assessments provided guidance for staff in order to mitigate these risks. People and their relatives, where appropriate, were involved in agreeing their care plans.

People were encouraged to express their views and make choices about their care and support. Regular residents meetings were held to enable people to comment on their care and support. Ideas from the meetings had been acted upon by the home, for example a clock displaying the day, date and time had been bought for the lounge.

People, relatives and visiting professionals were asked for their feedback on the service through