Background to this inspection
Updated
22 April 2020
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.
Inspection team
The first day of the inspection was carried out by one inspector and an Expert by Experience. An Expert by Experience is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of care service. The second day of the inspection was carried out by one inspector.
Service and service type
The Laurels Residential Care Home 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 on both days.
What we did before inspection
We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We sought feedback from the local authority who work with the service. 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 with 17 people who used the service and five family members about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with 10 staff members of staff including the area manager, registered manager, assistant manager, care workers and the handy person.
We reviewed a range of records. This included four people’s care records and multiple medication records. We looked at four staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures were reviewed.
After the inspection
We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We looked at training data and quality assurance records.
Updated
22 April 2020
About the service
The Laurels Care Home is a is a residential care home providing personal and nursing care to 36 people at the time of the inspection. The service can support up to 40 people. People were accommodated in three units, two of which provided care and support to people living with Dementia.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
We have made two recommendations about the current system in place for reviewing the management of cleaning materials and items that could be hazardous to people’s health and the appropriate storage of people’s personal effects.
People were happy with the care and support they received.
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 and staff always support this practice.
People felt safe using the service and received their medicines when they needed them. Safe recruitment practices were in place to help ensure that only suitable people were employed at the service.
People were able to voice their views and felt they were listened to. People had access to services and facilities that met their cultural needs both within the service and the local community.
People's needs and wishes were assessed prior to moving into the service. People received care and support from experienced staff who were supported in their role. People were offered a nutritious and balanced diet that met their needs and wishes. Systems were in place to ensure that people's healthcare needs were understood and met.
People were protected from abuse and the risk of abuse. People and their family members told us that the service was safe. Infection control practices were followed to minimise the risk of the spread of infection.
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 requires improvement (published 26 February 2019). The service remains rated requires improvement. This service has been rated requires improvement for the last two consecutive inspections.
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.
Follow up
We will meet with the provider following this report being published to discuss how they will make changes to ensure they improve their rating to at least good. We will work with the local authority to monitor progress. We will return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.