Limefield Court Retirement Home

Updated 25 January 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 care homes with outbreaks of COVID-19, we are conducting reviews to ensure that the Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) practice is safe and that services are compliant with IPC measures. We had also received information of concern about visiting arrangements at this service.

This was a targeted inspection looking at the IPC practices the provider has 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 14 January 2022 and was announced. We gave the service 24 hours’ notice of the inspection.

Updated 25 January 2022

About the service

Limefield Court is a two-storey property that is situated off a main road on the outskirts of Bury town centre. The home is registered to provide accommodation and personal care for up to 32 people. At the time of our inspection there were 21 people living at the home.

People’s experience of using this service and what we found

Breaches identified at our last inspections had been addressed. This included improvements in risk management, hygiene standards, opportunities to take part in activities, dignified person-centred care and good governance.

Systems providing better management and oversight of the service had been improved. However, the service has previously been rated requires improvement on three consecutive occasions. Therefore, to demonstrate effective management and consistent good practice over time these systems need embedding to demonstrate on-going improvements. We will check this at our next inspection.

People who used the service, their visitors and staff felt improvements had been made to the service. We were told that staff were kind and respectful and were able to demonstrate their knowledge of people’s individual needs and wishes. People were nicely dressed and were seen to be supported in a dignified way.

Adequate numbers of staff that had been safely recruited were available to support people. A programme of induction, training and supervision provided staff with opportunities for personal development and support. There was good communication between the team, who were clear about their role and responsibilities.

Individual care plans reflected people’s individual needs, wishes and preferences. Where able people had consented to their care and support. Records were kept under review to ensure people’s current and changing needs were reflected.

People received their prescribed medicines in a safe way. Management systems were in place to help minimise the risks to people. Where concerns had been identified additional monitoring was in place to help respond to changing needs. People had access to a range of healthcare support to ensure their well-being was maintained. A health professional spoken with said staff responded to people’s changing needs appropriately.

People said improvements had been made to the menu and meals provided. The kitchen was clean, organised and the dietary needs of people were understood by kitchen staff.

Relevant authorisations were in place where people were being deprived of their liberty. 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.

On-going improvements were being made to enhance the standard of accommodation. Suitable aids and adaptations were available to aid people’s mobility and promote their safety. Relevant maintenance and safety checks were undertaken to ensure the premises and equipment were kept safe.

Policies and procedures and staff training were provided to help safeguard people from abuse. Systems were in place for recording and responding to complaints.

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 September 2018). We also carried out a focused inspection (published February 2019) due to areas of concern that were raised with us. Breaches of the regulations were identified at each inspection. The provider completed an action plan after the last inspections to show what they would do and by when to improve.

At this inspection we found improvements had been made and the provider was no longer in breach of regulations.

Why we inspected

This inspection was carried out to follow up on actions we told the provider to take at the last inspection. However, during this inspection we received concerns about the care and treatment of people living at the home. We found no evidence during this inspection that people were at risk of harm from these concerns. Please see the safe, effective and well-led sections of this full report.

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.