Langholme

Updated 8 April 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 Care Act 2014.

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 was carried out by one inspector.

Service and service type

Langholme is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

The service had a manager registered with the Care Quality Commission. This means that they and the provider are legally responsible for how the service is run and for the quality and safety of the care provided.

Notice of inspection

This inspection was announced. We notified the registered manager 24 hours before due to the inspection being undertaken outside normal working hours. We needed to be sure essential staff would be on available and there was full access to records.

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 and professionals who work with the service.

We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return. This is information providers are required to send us with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. This information helps support our inspections. We used all this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with six people who used the service about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with nine members of staff including the registered manager, care staff, administrator, cook and housekeeper.

We reviewed a range of records. This included three people’s care records and medication records. We looked at two staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures were reviewed.

After the inspection

We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We looked at minutes of meetings within the service.

Updated 8 April 2022

About the service

Langholme provides accommodation with personal care for up to 40 people. There were 38 people using the service at the time of our inspection. The service is purpose built two storey building surrounded by large gardens.

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

At the previous inspection we found care plans did not always report on when people’s needs changed and information in care plans was not always up to date. At this inspection we found improvements had been made and care planning, reviews and staff understanding of people’s needs were current. Staff told us they had the information they needed to support people.

At the previous inspection we identified that care files were not held securely. People’s care plans were stored in their bedrooms in boxes on the wall. These boxes had locks which did not always work. At this inspection the provider had taken action to ensure all personal care records were secure and only accessible to designated staff.

Safeguarding processes were in place to help safeguard people from abuse. Risks associated with people's care had been assessed and guidance was in place for staff to follow. Medicines were safely managed.

There were processes in place to prevent and control infection at the service, through regular COVID-19 testing, additional cleaning and safe visiting precautions.

There were enough staff to meet people's needs and ensure their safety. Appropriate recruitment procedures ensured prospective staff were suitable to work in the service.

Staff told us that they had received the training they needed to meet people’s needs safely and effectively. The training matrix tracked staff training, and this ensured all staff received the training and updates needed to provide safe consistent care.

Staff were supported in their roles through a plan of supervision. Staff told us they felt supported by senior staff and the manager.

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.

The management team maintained oversight of complaints, accidents and incidents and safeguarding concerns. The management team engaged well with health and social care professionals.

The systems in place to monitor the quality of care within the service were effective. The registered manager promoted a positive person-centred culture and fully understood their responsibilities as a registered manager.

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 Requires Improvement. (Published 31 October 2019)

Why we inspected

We undertook this inspection to check previous breach of regulation had been met.