Leighton Forest

Ratings

• Overall

  Requires improvement

• Safe

  Requires improvement

• Effective

  Requires improvement

• Caring

  Good

• Responsive

  Good

• Well-led

  Requires improvement

Our view of the service

Date of Assessment: 19 May to 4 June 2025. Leighton Forest is a residential care home with nursing provision. The service supports older people, those living with dementia, physical disabilities and nursing needs. At the time of our assessment, there were 69 people using the service.

This is our first assessment of this service, which was registered with CQC on 19 October 2023. This service was previously owned by another provider and was known as Swiss Cottage. Swiss Cottage, under the previous provider, was rated inadequate when the report was published on 28 October 2023.

We identified 3 breaches of the legal regulations concerning safeguarding, safe care and treatment and governance.

Safeguarding concerns had not always been identified or reported. Incidents, where people had communicated emotional distress, had not been well documented and reviewed to inform learning and reduce risks. Risks people could experience from the use of equipment or changes in their mobility were not always well managed. Medicines were not always managed safely. There were aspects of infection prevention and control (IPC) practices that needed improvement. People’s care plans were not always accurate or detailed enough in relation to their needs and preferences. The provider was receptive to our feedback and could evidence immediate improvement or show us planned actions they would take.

However, communal areas were clean. Staff were recruited safely and received regular supervision. Staff told us they felt able to approach leaders and raise concerns. The service had worked with external health professionals and sought medical advice appropriately. Where people were at risk from weight loss or needed support with their hydration, this was managed safely. There were systems to seek and act on feedback from people. The provider had invested in improving the environment. A staff member told us, “The culture has improved very much since opening; we took on previous staff from Swiss Cottage. The previous culture needed to change. Some people resigned, others adapted to the new company and have come on board.”

In instances where CQC have decided to take civil or criminal enforcement action against a provider, we will publish this information on our website after any representations and/ or appeals have been concluded.

People's experience of this service

Records showed people did not always receive care and support in line with their documented preferences and assessed care needs. However, overall feedback from people and their relatives was positive. They told us they/their family member was safe. They told us there were enough staff. People had support to pursue their interests and take part in group activities. However, some people and relatives expressed they wanted access to more individualised activities for those who could not or did not want to participate in group activities. The provider had sought feedback from people and acted on this. Where people had modified dietary texture needs, they received foods in line with these needs. People were supported in accessing external health professionals as required. A relative told us, “The thing I am most impressed with is their continuous desire to improve. Their attitude is just amazing; the staff are so caring. Yes, there are hiccups and bumps on the way of course.” A person told us, “I think the home is better than it was before.’’