Loose Valley Nursing Home

Updated 30 June 2021

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 CQC's response to the coronavirus pandemic we are looking at the preparedness of care homes in relation to infection prevention and control. This was a targeted inspection looking at the infection control and prevention measures the provider has in place.

This inspection took place on 31 March 2021 and was announced.

Updated 30 June 2021

This inspection took place on 17 and 19 December 2018 and was unannounced.

Loose Valley Nursing 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, both were looked at during this inspection.

Loose Valley Nursing Home is registered to provide accommodation and personal or nursing care for up to 39 older people. Accommodation is provided on two floors; a passenger lift provides easy access between floors. Situated just outside Maidstone town centre, Loose Valley Nursing Home enjoys easy access to local amenities and public transport links. There is a garden to the rear of the building. At the time of our visit there were 18 people living in the service. People had a variety of needs including dementia, communication difficulties, physical health and mobility difficulties.

At our last full inspection on 10 May 2016, the service was rated as Good overall and Requires Improvement in the ‘Safe’ domain. We revisited the service on 2 March 2017. This was a focused inspection, looking at the ‘Safe’ domain. At that inspection, we found improvement had been made in the 'Safe' domain and it was rated as Good following that inspection.

At this inspection, on 17 and 19 December 2018 the evidence seen continued to support the rating of Good, there was no evidence or information from our inspection or ongoing monitoring that demonstrated serious risks or concerns. This inspection report is written in a shorter format because our overall rating of the service has not changed since our last inspection.

At this inspection we found the service remained Good.

A registered manager was in post. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the care Quality Commission to manage the service. 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.

Care and nursing needs were assessed before people moved to the service. People received consistent care from trained nurses and care staff, their specific health care needs were met with the support from health care professionals. Care records were up to date, comprehensive and reviewed on a regular basis. People were always treated with dignity and compassion. The care team worked alongside health care professionals to ensure people could remain at Loose Valley and have a comfortable and pain free death.

People received a service that promoted their safety whilst encouraging their rights and choices. Potential risks to people were identified and mitigated. People were protected from the risk of infection by appropriate control measures. The premises and equipment were maintained with due regard to people’s safety.

People were supported to eat and drink enough. Kitchen staff ensured people had access to a variety of food choices. People who required specific diets or additional support with their meals were catered for and supported in a safe way.

Nurses and care staff were trained to meet people’s needs including any specialist needs. Staff received regular support and guidance from the management team.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives, staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

People were treated with kindness and compassion. Staff understood the importance of promoting and respecting people’s privacy and dignity. People were supported to maintain independence.

People had the opportunity to raise and concerns or make suggestions about the service they received and systems were in place to monitor and improve the quality of the service.

Further information is in the detailed findings below.