Background to this inspection
Updated
8 January 2021
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 coronavirus, we are conducting reviews to ensure that the Infection Prevention and Control practice was safe and the service was compliant with IPC measures. This was a targeted inspection looking at the IPC practices the provider has in place.
This inspection took place on 17 December 2020 and was announced.
Updated
8 January 2021
About the service
Laurel Mount is a nursing home providing personal and nursing care to 18 people aged 65 and over at the time of the inspection. The service can support up to 34 people in one adapted building.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
People and relatives said that high quality care was provided that met people’s individual needs. They said the staff and manager were friendly and approachable.
People were safe living at Laurel Mount. Risks to people’s health were assessed and well understood by staff. Medicines were managed safely. There were enough staff deployed to ensure people received prompt care and support. Staff were recruited safely to help ensure they were of suitable character to work with vulnerable people.
People received effective care. Staff turnover was very low with many staff working at the service for a number of years. This helped staff build up knowledge of the people they were supporting. Staff said they felt well supported by the registered manager. People received an appropriate diet and had sufficient choice at mealtimes. Staff received training although more structure was required to ensure staff received regular training updates.
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.
People received care from kind and compassionate staff who were committed to ensuring people were content and comfortable living in the home. People were listened to and their choices respected. Peoples’ independence was promoted where possible.
People received high-quality person-centred care. People’s individual choices and preferences were taken into account during care planning. People had access to a range of activities provided by the activities co-ordinator. The registered manager listened to any concerns and complaints, investigated then and responded fairly and proportionally.
The service was well led. People, relatives and staff praised the overall quality of care provided. The registered manager had good oversight of the service and there was a positive and inclusive atmosphere within the home. A range of audits and checks were undertaken by the service although more input was required at provider level.
We made two recommendations to further improve the quality of care. These related to ensuring a more structured training programme was available to staff and ensuring provider level quality checks were undertaken.
Rating at last inspection
The last rating for this service was Good (Published 23 May 2017)
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.
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.