The Lawns Nursing Home

Updated 16 November 2022

The inspection

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (the Act) as part of our regulatory functions. We checked whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act. We looked at the overall quality of the service and provided a rating for the service under the Health and Social Care Act 2008.

As part of this inspection we looked at the infection control and prevention measures in place. This was conducted so we can understand the preparedness of the service in preventing or managing an infection outbreak, and to identify good practice we can share with other services.

Inspection team

The Inspection visit was carried out by an Inspector, Inspection Manager, Specialist Nurse Advisor (SPA) and an Expert by Experience. An Expert by Experience is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of care service.

Service and service type

The Lawns Nursing Home is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing and/or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement dependent on their registration with us. The Lawns Nursing Home is a care home with nursing care. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

Registered Manager

This provider is required to have a registered manager to oversee the delivery of regulated activities at this location. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Registered managers and providers are legally responsible for how the service is run, for the quality and safety of the care provided and compliance with regulations.

At the time of our inspection there was a registered manager in post.

Notice of inspection

This inspection was unannounced on the first day. We visited the location on 04 October 2022 & 05 October 2022.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We sought feedback from the local authority. We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return (PIR). This is information providers are required to send us annually with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. We used all this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with 12 people who received care from the service and 5 relatives. We spoke to the registered manager, two deputy managers, a lifestyle and wellbeing lead, head chef, two care staff and two nurses. We reviewed a range of documents including five people’s care records and three staff recruitment files. We also looked at checks the registered manager completed to assure themselves people received safe and good quality care. We spoke to the provider representative and the nominated individual. The nominated individual is responsible for supervising the management of the service on behalf of the provider.

Updated 16 November 2022

About the service

The Lawns Nursing Home is a residential care home providing personal and nursing care to up to 63 people. The service provides support to people requiring person and nursing care, including those living with dementia and physical disabilities. At the time of our inspection there were 59 people using the service. The Lawns Nursing Home is an adapted building, with care provided over two floors.

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

Some people experienced delays in call bells being answered. The registered manager identified this and was engaging with people to alter care plans to meet their needs. The registered manager had also adjusted staffing levels to meet people’s care needs People’s needs were assessed and monitored to support them to live safely. Staff had a good understanding of people’s care plans and risk assessments, which were regularly updated.. Medicines were administered safely.

Staff completed a robust induction, including training in manual handling. Staff received regular peer mentoring and supervisions with management. The provider had a comprehensive training programme which allowed staff to gain formal qualifications and develop their skills to support people’s needs.

People were offered a choice of good quality food and drink, which was tailored to meet their dietary requirements. People were actively involved in their care and their choices were respected. There was timely access to healthcare services and equipment. Staff supported people to meet their cultural and religious needs. People had a good choice of activities and their views were listened to. The registered manager worked proactively to establish a resident ambassador to advocate for people, as well as seeking individual and group feedback.

There was a positive and open leadership culture. Staff were supported to provide care to people through strong quality assurance processes, which identified areas for development. The registered manager actively engaged with staff to promote good practice. The provider had strong links with other healthcare professionals to improve people’s health and well-being.

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 were involved in making decisions regarding their care and staff knew how the meet people’s needs. People and relatives knew how to complaint if they were unhappy.

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk

Rating at last inspection

The last rating for this service was good (published 27 May 2020).

Why we inspected

We received concerns in relation to manual handling, staffing levels, people’s nutrition and care needs. As a result, we undertook a focused inspection to review the key questions of safe, effective and well-led only.

For those key questions not inspected, we used the ratings awarded at the last inspection to calculate the overall rating.

The overall rating for the service has remained good based on the findings of this inspection.

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.

You can read the report from our last comprehensive inspection, by selecting the ‘all reports’ link for The Lawns Nursing Home on our website at www.cqc.org.uk.

Follow up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.