Background to this inspection
Updated
19 February 2022
We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008.
As part of CQC’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic we are looking at how services manage infection control and visiting arrangements. This was a targeted inspection looking at the infection prevention and control measures the provider had in place. We also asked the provider about any staffing pressures the service was experiencing and whether this was having an impact on the service.
This inspection took place on 27 January 2022 and was announced. We gave the service 24 hours’ notice of the inspection.
Updated
19 February 2022
Herons Lea is a residential care home for 20 people with dementia and conditions associated with old age and frailty. The service provides and care and support without nursing. Herons Lea is a detached home in a rural setting with large grounds. The service is set over two floors with communal lounges and dining areas all on the ground floor.
At our last inspection we rated the service good. At this inspection we found the evidence continued to support the rating of good and there was no evidence or information from our inspection and on-going monitoring that demonstrated serious risks or concerns. The key question of caring has been rated as outstanding at this inspection. This inspection report is written in a shorter format because our overall rating of the service has not changed since our last inspection.
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Why the service is rated as good.
People said they enjoyed living at Herons Lea and felt safe and well cared for. Comments included
“It's very good. It was difficult at first being independent. I find it very satisfactory - the carers have a lot of compassion and are a happy bunch, very caring. I just accept their way of doing things now. They know what they're doing and I trust them - they're very helpful” and “I think it's one of the best places we've got around here. I kept falling over and I didn't like my [daughter] getting upset when I fell down stairs and in the shower room it was awful. I miss home but I'm safe here.”
People were supported to maintain their independence and live fulfilling lives doing the things they enjoyed and being encouraged to try new things.
The home had a registered manager. 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.
Staff were exceptionally caring and knowledgeable about people’s needs, wishes and preferred routines. This helped them to plan personalised care. People, their families and visiting healthcare professionals were positive about the caring and compassionate nature of staff.
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.
Care and support was person centred and well planned. Staff had good training and support to do their job safely and effectively.
Risk assessments were in place for each person. These identified the correct action to take to reduce the risk as much as possible in the least restrictive way. People received their medicines safely and on time. Accidents and incidents were carefully monitored, analysed and reported upon.
There were effective staff recruitment and selection processes in place. People received effective care and support from staff who were well trained and competent.
Quality assurance processes and audits helped to ensure that the quality of care and support as well as the environment was closely monitored. This included seeking the views of people and their relatives.
Further information is in the detailed findings below