Easterlea

Updated 21 March 2024

Date of assessment 24 May and 17 July 2024. This was a responsive assessment due to information we had received about the quality of care provided. We assessed 10 quality statements across the key questions of safe and well led. We found 3 breaches of the legal regulations. The provider had not always managed people’s medicines safely and people had not always been protected from abuse. The provider’s governance systems and audits were not always effective in identifying and addressing areas of concern. We also identified concerns regarding how risks to people’s health and safety were being managed. The systems in place to report and investigate concerns or incidents and accidents needed to be more robust and safeguarding incidents had not consistently been escalated and reported to the local safeguarding adults’ team or to the Care Quality Commission in a timely way. In addition, there was a lack of evidence safeguarding concerns or alerts were used to promote learning opportunities to keep people safe. We have asked the provider for an action plan in response to the concerns found at this assessment.

Updated 21 March 2024

Relatives felt their family members were safe and received person centred care that met their needs. For example, “We looked at a few homes and this stood out for us from the very first time we visited… As a family we are reassured.” None of the relatives felt there were areas the home could improve on with 1 saying, “It has set the gold standard of what elderly people need… it’s genuine love and humanity that is needed and they have it”. Relatives told us they were encouraged to raise concerns. For example 1 said, “Yes, I think we are [encouraged], [Registered manager] is always there, and we speak to her. She’s very approachable.” Relatives were overall confident they were kept informed about risks to their family members health One relative said, “Yes most definitely [We are kept informed], she is now on an advanced care plan, and I was consulted with all areas of that.” When people displayed distressed behaviours, relatives felt this was managed professionally, but also in a person centred manner. The majority of relatives felt there were suitable numbers of well trained staff available. For example, 1 relative said, “There’s always enough staff buzzing around and at lunch times”. Relatives were confident the home was kept clean and hygienic, with 1 relative saying, “Absolutely yes. It’s very clean. They have a lovely cleaner.” Relatives felt the leadership team managed the home well. For example, 1 said, “Yes, they are very well organised. It's like there is a time for everything and it all runs like clockwork.” There was a confidence amongst relatives that the leadership team promoted a positive culture with 1 saying, “It’s sunny, it’s happy, it's nice and airy and the staff are always pleasant we are lucky to have found it”. While the people we spoke to expressed that they were happy with their care, our assessment found elements of the care and support being provided did not meet the expected standards. There is further detail about this below.