Background to this inspection
Updated
29 March 2022
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 Health and Social Care Act 2008.
As part of this inspection we looked at the infection control and prevention measures in place. This included checking the provider was meeting COVID-19 vaccination requirements. 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 was carried out by two inspectors.
Service and service type
The Laurels Nursing and Residential 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 who was registered with the Care Quality Commission. This means 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 sought feedback from the local authority care commissioners and professionals who work with the service. The provider was not asked to complete a Provider Information Return (PIR) prior to this inspection. A PIR is information providers send us to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make.
During the inspection
We spoke with five people who used the service about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with nine members of staff including the registered manager, deputy manager, nurse, two catering staff, care workers and domestic staff.
We reviewed a range of records. This included five people’s care records and multiple medication records. We looked at two 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 requested further documents to support our evidence.
Updated
29 March 2022
The Laurels Nursing and Residential Home is a nursing home providing personal and nursing care for up to 43 people. There were 33 people living at the home at the time of our inspection. The service provides support to older people with a range of support needs including complex health conditions and dementia.
The service is a large adapted property. Accommodation is split across two floors and there were communal living and dining rooms.
People's experience of using this service and what we found
People were protected from the spread of infection, the service was clean and staff wore personal protective equipment which they changed regularly.
Risk assessments were regularly reviewed with people’s changing needs and care plans had relevant and up to date information.
Staffing levels were calculated using a dependency assessment. This calculated staffing hours required, and the manager ensured they were staffed to people’s needs.
Staff were recruited safely. Appropriate checks were made prior to staff starting in post to ensure they were suitable to work with vulnerable adults.
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’s health and social care needs were managed well. There were positive relationships with professionals which supported people’s overall wellbeing. Medicine was administered safely and there were clear protocols in place for medicine which was taken when required.
People had enough to eat and drink. However, menus were written corporately, and people were not consulted on what they would like to eat and drink.
People told us the staff and the management were kind and caring. People were treated with dignity and respect. People had consented to the care provided and information was available in accessible formats.
The registered manager and deputy were keen to drive continuous improvements and were working on developing systems to have better management oversight.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Why we inspected
This service was registered with us on 6 July 2020 and this is the first inspection.
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 the service can respond to COVID-19 and other infection outbreaks effectively. This included checking the provider was meeting COVID-19 vaccination requirements.
Follow up
We will return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.