All inspections: Ladysmith Care Home - Care Quality Commission

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 was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

Ladysmith Care Home is situated in Grimsby. The service is registered with the Care Quality Commission to provide accommodation and personal care for up to 90 older people who may have dementia related conditions.

There was a registered manager in post at the service. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service and has the legal responsibility for meeting the requirements of the law; as does the provider.

Staff were able to describe to us how they would keep people safe from harm and what they would do if they witnessed any abuse. They had also received training about different types of abuse and how to recognise and report these. The provider’s recruitment systems ensured, as far as was practicable, people who used the service were not exposed to staff who had been barred from working with vulnerable adults.

Staff understood the needs of the people who used the service and displayed compassion and sensitivity when undertaking caring tasks. Staff were appropriately trained and received updated training on a regular basis to ensure they had the right skills to meet people’s needs.

People told us they felt included in their care and they attended reviews and meetings about their care. Where people had been assessed as needing support with complex decisions the person who acted on their behalf had been identified and meetings had been held which included health care professionals, the person’s representative and the staff at the home. This ensured any decisions made on behalf of the person who used the service were in their best interest. Care was provided in an enabling environment and people were supported to be as independent as possible.

Staff were enabled to develop their skills and received support from the management team to further their education and gain further qualifications. The manager undertook regular audits of the care the service provided and made improvements where needed. People who used the service, relatives and staff were all encouraged to have a say about how the service was run. All suggestions, compliments and complaints were seen as productive and welcomed as a way of improving the service provided at the home.

The service was last inspected June 2013 and no issues were identified following that inspection.

We spoke with four people who used the service and three relatives. They spoke positively about the standard of care and treatment they received. One person told us "I've been here four months it's a nice place.' Another person said, "Staff make a good effort for us."

We found people's privacy, dignity and independence were respected. People's views and experiences were taken into account in the way the service was provided and delivered in relation to their care.

People who used the service, staff and visitors were protected against the risks of unsafe or unsuitable premises. People confirmed they felt secure at the home.

People were cared for and supported by suitably qualified, skilled and experienced staff. There were effective recruitment and selection processes in place. We spoke with three care staff. They told us staff morale was very good.

The service had a complaints procedure which was available for people who used the service and their relatives. People were given support by the provider to make a comment or complaint where they needed assistance. There was learning from complaints to improve the quality of the service.

We visited the kitchen and saw a variety of food being prepared. People told us they had a choice of food and drink and that the quality was good.

One person told us, 'I have been here several months and I find it very nice. I get to choose where I eat my meals and I get a choice of activities.' A relative told us, 'Respect and dignity are upheld. They used to get X to help with odd jobs, folding laundry, etc. They have plenty of choice of activities. I have been when they have had entertainers in. They recently bought a minibus.'

One person said, 'I get the support with my personal care that I need.' Another person said, 'I am happy with the care and I get the support I need.' A relative told us, 'We were involved in the initial assessment. X sees mainly to her own care needs. Weight is monitored monthly and hydration is checked. Everything seems spot on.'

People we spoke with said they felt safe in the home and relatives confirmed this. One relative told us, 'He is safe in here and we have no concerns.'

People spoke positively about the staff that worked with them. One person told us, 'I find the staff very nice.' A relative told us about how they appreciated the continuity of staff working with their relative and commented on the high standard of their caring skills.

The provider took account of comments and complaints to improve the service. One person said, 'I have been to a resident and relative meeting. It is useful. It is something different. I'm not aware of completing any surveys.' Another person told us, 'I am aware of the resident and relative meeting. I would be interested in attending. I did a survey but it was some time ago.' A relative told us, 'They do a newsletter telling you what happened at the resident and relatives meeting. We have completed questionnaires. I have been given information on complaints.'

Archived: Ladysmith Care Home

All Inspections

10/07/2014

During a routine inspection

9 May 2013

During a routine inspection

4 May 2012

During a routine inspection