The Care Quality Commission

Archived: Larchwood Nursing and Residential Home

133 Yarmouth Road, Thorpe St Andrew, Norwich, Norfolk, NR7 0RF (01603) 437358

Provided and run by:
Bondcare (Larchwood) Limited

Important: The provider of this service changed. See new profile

All Inspections

7 October 2013

During an inspection looking at part of the service

We conducted this inspection to follow up concerns identified at our previous inspection carried out on 24 June 2013. These concerns related to errors being made in reviewing people's assessments and the monitoring of people's care records. As a result of the June 2013 inspection an action plan was submitted by the provider which told us how they would make the necessary improvements and when this would be completed by.

We returned to Larchwood Nursing and Residential Home and found that improvements had been made.

24 June 2013

During an inspection looking at part of the service

This inspection was carried out to establish whether progress had been made following our inspection in April 2013. This inspection had identified areas of concern relating to respecting people's dignity, their care and welfare, management of medicines and complaints. We found that improvements had been made in these areas but that improvements were required in risk assessing and the monitoring of service provision.

We spoke with six people living at Larchwood, most of whom were content. One person told us, 'I'm very happy here, I'm well looked after.' Another person said, 'Staff know me and what I like, they make sure I'm okay.' We also spoke with one relative who praised the care their family member received.

Managers had developed an action plan to help make improvements around management of medicines and we found appropriate arrangements for the recording, handling and safe administration of medicines.

We found that people's dignity was respected and their safety was ensured as call bells were within reach for people. The manager had instigated daily walk arounds to ensure that standards were being upheld.

People with health conditions that had not been reflected in their care planning previously now had needs assessments and care plans in place to support their individual requirements.

The complaints system was now being brought to the attention of service users and anyone else who may wish to make a complaint about the service.

29 April 2013

During an inspection in response to concerns

During this inspection we assessed whether people's medicines were being managed safely and administered correctly. We conducted a sample audit of medicines and found there were gaps in the records and that there were numerical discrepancies so we could not be assured people were receiving their medicines as prescribed. We noted some medicines had not been obtained and so were not available to administer as prescribed.

We met and spoke with people living at Larchwood. One person told us 'Everybody's very friendly, it's a wonderful place.' Another said 'I'm quite happy living here, it's about as good as the rest I reckon.' However some people raised issues relating to delays in answering call bells and queried whether their particular needs and other people's needs were met and understood by staff.

We found instances where people's dignity was not being maintained and these were brought to the manager's attention. For example, one person was partially clothed sitting in a wheelchair covered by a stained sheet whilst waiting for staff to attend to them.

Whilst there was a complaints procedure this had not been made available to people. However, we found that where a complaint had been made the manager had responded in detail and the response made was appropriate. One complaint was outstanding at the time of our visit.

10 October 2012

During an inspection looking at part of the service

We spoke with three people using the service and were told that improvements had been made. One person told us that they "were very happy" and that they had plenty of things to do to "occupy" themselves. Another person commented to us "since [the new manager] has been here, it's been great - it was not good before" they further told us that they had been enabled to attend "barbecues, parties and buffets".

We spoke with three members of staff who all confirmed they felt the previous issues with regards to adequate staffing of the home were improving. People using the service also commented on the improvements they had seen. One person stated "There used to be too many agency staff - these girls [the staff] know their jobs well". Another person commented "Things have really improved since [the manager] came - my [relative] comes every day and has seen changes - when calling for help staff come quicker and are more supportive". Our observations during the day demonstrated that the environment was calm, call bells did not remain unanswered for long periods of time and staff were enabled to spend time with people during lunch time to hold conversation.

We found that the home had made improvements following our last inspection. We found that all the actions required to be met following our review of compliance in June 2012 had been met. This meant that the home was found to be compliant with the Health and Social Care Act (Regulated Activities) Regulations.

11 June 2012

During a routine inspection

People we spoke with told us that they were very happy with care they received at Larchwood. We were told that staff are 'lovely' and that 'they look after me well'. We spoke to three people who all told us the care received was to their expectations.

7 February 2012

During a routine inspection

We spoke with six people who lived in the home. They told us that their needs were met but that they were not consulted about the care and support that they were provided with. People were complimentary about the new staff that cared for them and told us that they always treated them with kindness and that their privacy and dignity were respected. They told us that there had been a lot of staff changes and that recently there were enough staff on duty to assist them. They told us that they felt safe living in the home and that the environment was comfortable and clean. They also told us that they were provided with meals that were mostly good but that there were not enough activities and things for them to do in the home.