Park Farm Lodge is a ‘care home.’ People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection. Park Farm Lodge is registered to provide support for up to 80 people. At the time of our inspection visit, 72 people were living there. Park Farm Lodge is a purpose built care home split over two floors. The ground floor accommodates people primarily with nursing care needs and physical disabilities; and people living with dementia are accommodated on the first floor. There are communal lounges and dining rooms on both floors, and a central secure garden area that people can access.

This unannounced inspection visit took place on1 and 2 February 2018. Our last inspection was on 31 January and 1 February 2017, and at that time the overall rating of the service was ‘Requires Improvement.’ We found that improvements were needed to ensure the service was consistently effective and responsive for all the people that lived there. At this inspection, the overall rating has improved to ‘Good’ in all five key questions.

There was a registered manager in post. 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 were protected from harm by staff who understood how to safeguard people. Risks were assessed, managed and reviewed. There were enough staff to keep people safe, and the provider followed safe recruitment processes. Medicines were managed safely, and people were protected by the prevention and control of infection. Lessons were learnt and improvements made when incidents occurred.

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’s needs were assessed and support was given in line with evidence-based guidance. Staff had the knowledge and skills needed to provide effective care for people. People’s nutritional needs were met, and they were supported to access healthcare services. The layout of the building was accessible for the people who lived there.

Staff were caring and compassionate in the way they supported people who used the service. People’s privacy was respected and their dignity and independence was promoted. People were enabled to direct the care they received, and staff listened to them. Visitors were encouraged and people were able to maintain relationships that were important to them.

People received care that was personal to them and responded to their needs. They were able to participate in activities they enjoyed in the home and community. People were involved in the planning and reviewing of their care, and the records supported staff to offer individual support to them. People and their relatives were confident in raising issues or concerns, and the provider responded to these in a timely manner.

The registered manager was supported by senior staff and the roles staff had were clear to people. The provider was committed to making improvements in the home, and involved people with these plans. Staff were motivated in their work and supported to carry out their roles. People and staff were encouraged to be involved in the development of the service, and their feedback was listened to and acted upon. The registered manager understood their responsibilities as a registered person.

This inspection was unannounced and took place on 31 January and 1 February 2017. Park Farm Lodge is registered to provide accommodation for up to 80 people. The home is divided into two units, one providing nursing care for people living with dementia, and the other providing nursing care for people with physical health care needs. At the time of our inspection, 72 people were using the service.

There was a registered manager in post. 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.

This was our first inspection since the location had reregistered with a new provider. We had previously inspected the home on 21 April 2016, when it was under a different provider. When the new provider took over the home, the registered manager and staff remained the same. We have referred to the previous inspection within this report. We had told the previous provider to make improvements to ensure there were enough staff to meet people’s needs and keep them safe. At this inspection, we found that the required improvements had been made. However, we found that other improvements were needed.

Staff gained people’s consent before supporting them. However, when people were not able to make certain decisions for themselves, staff had variable understanding as to how this should be done legally and in accordance with guidance available. When people lacked capacity and were being restricted, the provider had ensured this was done lawfully. People did not always receive care that was individual and personal to them. Some people were not able to participate in stimulating activities that they could engage with.

There were enough staff to meet people’s care needs, and the provider had safe recruitment processes in place. People were protected from harm by staff who knew how to recognise and report any concerns. Risks to people were assessed, managed and reviewed to minimise potential harm. People’s medicines were managed safely by staff who were suitably trained and supported to do this.

Staff received training to enable them to carry out their roles. People were supported to maintain and balanced diet and good health.

People were cared for by staff who were respectful and kind towards them. Staff knew people well and supported them in a dignified manner. People’s privacy was respected and their independence promoted. Visitors were made to feel welcome and important relationships were maintained.

People were involved in the planning of their care and knew how to raise any concerns which were then acted on. There was a positive culture within the home and staff felt supported to carry out their roles. People were encouraged to share their views and give feedback about the support they received. The quality of the service was monitored and this information was used to drive continuous improvement.