Background to this inspection
Updated
22 May 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
This 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.
Service and service type
Laurieston House 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 announced. We gave a short period notice of the inspection to enable us to discuss COVID-19 factors prior to our visit.
What we did before the inspection
We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection and sought feedback from the local authority. The provider was not asked to complete a provider information return prior to this inspection. This is information we require providers to send us to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We took this into account when we inspected the service and made the judgements in this report. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.
During the inspection
We spoke with one person who used the service and one member of staff. We also spoke with the provider who was available throughout the site visit. We reviewed a range of records which included three people’s care records and multiple medication records. A variety of records relating to the management of the service were reviewed.
After the inspection
Following our site visit we spoke with one person and four relatives on the telephone about their experiences of care and support. We spoke with a further four members of staff and contacted one professional for their feedback about the service. We continued to seek clarification on data found.
Updated
22 May 2021
About the service
Laurieston House is a care home providing care and support for 12 people, some of whom live with dementia. At the site there is a main home for up to nine people and there are bungalows in the grounds. At the time of the inspection there were five people living in the main home.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
People had visits from family members once relatives had completed a lateral flow test and had their temperatures checked. Personal protective equipment (PPE) was provided for visitors to wear. All visiting had to be booked in advance so safety measures could be put in place, such as social distancing and enhanced cleaning of the visiting area.
Staff were observed wearing PPE safely and the provider had ample supplies of stock. Staff had been trained on how to put on and remove their PPE and how to dispose of used items safely. There were posters up to give staff guidance on washing their hands and COVID-19. Staff had received training and guidance on infection prevention and control.
People and staff were being tested as per the government guidance. There had been no COVID-19 positive cases at the home throughout the pandemic. We observed the home was clean and smelt fresh. Additional cleaning had been put in place for high contact areas such as door handles.
People’s medicines were managed safely. Staff had received medicines training and were observed to check their competence. People were able to see their GP when needed and referred to other healthcare professionals in a timely way. Staff worked with professionals to make sure people’s health needs were assessed and met.
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. Staff were working to the principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005.
Risks had been assessed and there were management plans in place. Risk assessments were kept under review and updated when needed. Improvements had been made to daily recording which made it clear what support people had been given.
Staff received support from the provider to help them carry out their roles. They had supervisions, training and were able to attend staff meetings. Staff understood their role in protecting people from abuse and knew how to report concerns. Staff told us morale was good and felt they worked well as a team.
Incidents and accidents had been reviewed and measures taken to try and prevent reoccurrence. The provider had carried out quality monitoring checks to monitor areas of the service. Notifications had been submitted to CQC as required by law and when needed referrals had been made to the local authority safeguarding team.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at last inspection and update
The last rating for this service was requires improvement (published 8 March 2021).
Following the last inspection, we met with the provider to discuss our concerns and findings. At this inspection we found improvements had been made and the provider was no longer in breach of regulations.
Why we inspected
We carried out an unannounced focused inspection of this service on 12 November 2020. Three breaches of legal requirements were found. We issued the provider three warning notices for the breaches of regulations.
We undertook this focused inspection to check they had made the required improvement followed their action plan and to confirm they now met legal requirements. This report only covers our findings in relation to the Key Questions Safe, Effective and Well-led which contain those requirements.
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.
The ratings from the previous comprehensive inspection for those key questions not looked at on this occasion were used in calculating the overall rating at this inspection. The overall rating for the service has changed from Requires Improvement to Good. This is based on the findings at this inspection.
You can read the report from our last comprehensive inspection, by selecting the ‘all reports’ link for Laurieston House on our website at www.cqc.org.uk.
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.