Puppy Platters Farm Style Meals for Your Pet Pal
Platters Farm Lodge
Platters Farm Lodge
Platters Farm Lodge offers short breaks, respite, rehabilitation, and long-stay facility for adults in Rainham, Medway. Individuals can live at Platters Farm Lodge on a long-term basis. The service also provides people with dementia related care and support.
For some people, the fun and nurturing environment of Platters Farm Lodge is their permanent home. The service is vibrant, socially warm, and inviting for the individual and their family and friends.
Our Services
- A long-term residential care home for people with or without dementia
- Short residential care breaks (respite or otherwise)
- Care and support with dementia
- A period of rehabilitation (in partnership with Medway Community Health Trust)
Our Facilities
- Single spacious bedrooms suited to the individual
- Spacious and accessible communal living areas
- Communal dining areas
- Accessible outdoor space
- A wide variety of opportunities for activities and outings
- Accessible in-house hairdresser, manicurist and aromatherapist
Our team of dedicated staff aim to ensure all those living or visiting Platters Farm Lodge receive the highest levels of care and support to continue living life to the fullest.
For more information, or to discuss your requirements or make a referral please contact 01634 377579 or email [email protected].
Platters Farm Lodge
We rate most services according to how safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led they are, using four levels:
Outstanding the service is performing exceptionally well.
Good the service is performing well and meeting our expectations.
Requires improvement the service isn't performing as well as it should and we have told the service how it must improve.
Inadequate the service is performing badly and we've taken enforcement action against the provider of the service.
No rating/under appeal/rating suspended there are some services which we cant rate, while some might be under appeal from the provider. Suspended ratings are being reviewed by us and will be published soon.
Pet Pal Animal Shelter
Our Mission
Our mission is to rescue dogs and cats from shelters that may otherwise be euthanized due to time limitations, illness, injuries or lack of socialization and training. We are dedicated to educating the public about the pet overpopulation crisis, the importance of spaying/neutering and responsible pet ownership.
Adoption Policy
Please come in to the shelter to meet our dogs and cats. Once you find your new furry friend, you will fill out our short adoption application to get the process started. Please note that we work on a first come, first served basis.All of our adoptable dogs are spayed/neutered, microchipped, dewormed, vaccinated, heartworm negative, and medically cleared by our veterinarian. Upon adoption, dogs will receive an adoption packet including a complimentary physician's exam at Pet Pal Veterinary Clinic, discount coupons to local pet food stores, microchip registration information, suggested doggie day care and boarding facilities, and more.All of our adoptable cats are spayed/neutered, microchipped, dewormed, vaccinated, Feline Leukemia/AIDS negative, and medically cleared by our veterinarian. Upon adoption, cats will receive an adoption packet including a complimentary physician's exam at Pet Pal Veterinary Clinic, discount coupons to local pet food stores, microchip registration information, suggested day care and boarding facilities, and more.
Platters Farm Lodge
Background to this inspection
Updated 23 July 2021
The inspection
We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (the Act) as part of our regulatory functions. We checked whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act. We looked at the overall quality of the service and provided a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.
As part of this inspection we looked at the infection control and prevention measures in place. This was conducted so we can understand the preparedness of the service in preventing or managing an infection outbreak, and to identify good practice we can share with other services.
Inspection team
The inspection team consisted of two inspectors.
Service and service type
Platters 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.
The service had a manager registered with the Care Quality Commission. This means that they and the provider are legally responsible for how the service is run and for the quality and safety of the care provided.
Notice of inspection
This inspection was unannounced.
What we did before the inspection
We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return. This is information providers are required to send us with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. This information helps support our inspections. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.
During the inspection
We spoke to five people who used the service and four relatives. We spoke to nine members of staff including the registered manager, deputy manager, director of care and care workers.
We reviewed a range of records. This included three peoples care plans and medicine records. We looked at two staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision. We also looked at a variety of records relating to the managements of the service, including quality assurance audits.
After the inspection
We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence we found. We looked at training data and feedback from people.
Updated 23 July 2021
About the service
Platters Farm lodge is a residential home that provides accommodation and personal care for up to 43 older people. At the time of inspection there were 31 people living at the service with a variety of needs. Needs included people living with dementia and with a physical disability. The home consists of 3 separate wings, each of which has separate adapted facilities. One of the wings provides specialist care for people living with dementia.
Peoples experience of using this service and what we found
People in the service were kept safe from harm and abuse. People were cared for in a safe environment. Medicines were managed safely, and enough staff were deployed to keep people safe. The provider followed infection, prevention and control guidance.
The service assessed peoples needs before admitting them to the service. People were supported by staff who were adequately trained to meet their needs. People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.
People and their relatives told us the support they and their loved ones received was kind and caring. Staff encouraged people to be as independent as possible. We observed caring and compassionate interactions between staff and people.
People were receiving person-centred care and their communication needs were being met. Relatives told us they were able to visit and were happy with the process.
The registered manager worked well with other agencies to ensure joined up care for people. Effective audits were in place to ensure the quality of the service delivered by staff. Staff spoke highly of the management team.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at last inspection
The last rating for this service was good (published 12 November 2020) covering two key questions safe and well-led).
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.
We looked at infection prevention and control measures under the Safe key question. We look at this in all care home inspections even if no concerns or risks have been identified. This is to provide assurance that the service can respond to COVID-19 and other infection outbreaks effectively.
Follow up
We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.
Platters Farm Lodge
Platters Farm Lodge is registered to provide accommodation for people who require nursing or personal care. It is registered for 43 beds which included 20 beds for rehabilitation, and 23 respite care beds. The local authority and community health trust commission the beds within the service. The service provides care and support for older people and younger adults; and people with physical disabilities, sensory impairment and dementia. It also provides a day care centre which is not regulated by the Care Quality Commission. There were 26 people staying at the service on the day of our inspection. Although the service only provided short term care for people, there were six people who had been living at the service for a long period of time. The registered manager had been liaising with the local authority and community health trust to find a permanent placement for these six people as the purpose of Platters Farm Lodge was to provide short term care and support only.
The service had a registered manager. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission (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.
At our previous inspection on 25 November 2014 we found a breach Regulation 20 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2010 which corresponds to Regulation 17 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014, this related to accuracy of records. At this inspection we found that some records had not improved.
People gave positive feedback about the service. People felt safe and well cared for.
Risks to peoples safety and wellbeing were not always managed effectively to make sure they were protected from harm. Risk assessments had not always been reviewed and updated when peoples health needs changed. Records were not always complete, accurate and stored securely.
People were not always protected from potential abuse by staff trained in how to safeguard adults. Four staff we spoke with did not understand their responsibilities in reporting abuse, this put people at risk of harm. We made a recommendation about this.
There were enough staff deployed to meet peoples needs. However people who lived with dementia were left in one area of the service for short periods whilst staff carried out tasks. We made a recommendation about this.
The environment did not meet the needs of people living with dementia and those that were disorientated because the service was new to them. Some doors had dementia friendly signs to help people find the bathroom or toilet, other doors did not. We made a recommendation about this.
People who stayed at Platters Farm Lodge on a short term basis had suitable care plans in place. There were six people who were staying at the service on a longer term basis. Their care plans did not list their life histories, personal histories, likes and dislikes. We made a recommendation about this.
The provider had a complaints policy and procedures which included clear guidelines on how and by when issues should be resolved. It did not contain the contact details of relevant external agencies, such as the local authority and Local Government Ombudsman, who people could go to if they were not satisfied with the providers response. Additional guidance for people about how to complain was available in communal areas of the service.
The provider followed safe recruitment practice. Gaps in employment history had been explored to check staff suitability for their role.
Equipment and the environment had been maintained. The service was clean and smelt fresh.
Staff had received training relevant to their roles. Staff were supported and encouraged to complete work related qualifications.
The providers business continuity plan was not specific to Platters Farm Lodge. Key information had not been completed that would ensure peoples care could continue safely if access to Platters Farm Lodge was no longer available.
Staff had a good understanding of the Mental Capacity Act 2005. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) monitors the operation of the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) which applies to care homes. The registered manager had submitted Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) applications for some people. The tracking system that the registered manager had in place to monitor DoLS was not robust, they made changes to this during the inspection.
Meals and mealtimes promoted peoples wellbeing, meal times were relaxed and people were given choices.
People received medical assistance from healthcare professionals when they needed it. Staff knew people well and recognised when people were not acting in their usual manner.
People were supported to maintain their relationships with people who mattered to them. Relatives and visitors were welcomed at the service at any reasonable time and were complimentary about the care their family members received.
Staff were cheerful, kind and patient in their approach and had a good rapport with people. The atmosphere in the service was calm and relaxed. Staff treated people with dignity and respect.
People were encouraged to take part in activities that they enjoyed. People were supported to be as independent as possible.
Peoples views and experiences were sought through surveys.
There were quality assurance systems in place. The registered manager and provider carried out regular checks on the service. Action plans were put in place and completed quickly.
Staff told us they felt supported by the registered manager. Health and social care professionals gave us positive feedback about the management of the service.
We found two breaches of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014. You can see what action we told the provider to take at the back of the full version of this report.
