19 July 2016
During a routine inspection
Langdale Residential Home provides both care and nursing for up to 31 people who are aged over 65 and who are living with Dementia or who have a physical disability. The home is located on two floors. Each person had their own bedroom. The home had a communal lounge, kitchen and dining room where people could spend time together. At the time of inspection there were 31 people using the service.
The service had a registered manager. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.
People and staff felt the service was well managed. The service was led by a registered manager who understood most of their responsibilities under the Care Quality Commission (Registration) Regulations 2009. We found that not all statutory notifications had been submitted to the Care Quality Commission.
People were protected from the risk of harm at the service because staff had undertaken training to recognise and respond to safeguarding concerns. They had a good understanding about what safeguarding meant and how to report any concerns.
There were effective systems in place to manage risks associated with people's care and this helped staff to know how to support people safely. Where people displayed behaviour that may cause harm to themselves or others guidance was available to staff to help them to manage such situations in a consistent and positive way.
The building was well maintained and kept in a safe condition. Evacuation plans had been written for each person, to help support them safely in the event of an emergency.
People’s medicines were handled safely and were given to them in accordance with their prescriptions. People’s GPs and other healthcare professionals were contacted for advice whenever necessary. People had access to healthcare service when required.
There were enough staff to meet people’s needs. People felt that they had to wait for support at times. Staff had been checked for their suitability before starting work to make sure people were supported by staff with the right skills and attributes. Staff received appropriate support through induction and supervision. There was an on-going training programme to provide and update staff on safe ways of working.
People were supported to maintain a balanced diet and guidance from health professionals in relation to eating and drinking was followed. We saw that people were able to choose their meals.
People were supported to make their own decisions. Staff and managers had an understanding of the Mental Capacity Act (2005) and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS). We found that DoLS applications and appropriate assessments of capacity had been made. Staff told us that they sought people’s consent before delivering their support.
People or their representatives had contributed to the planning and review of their support.
People received support from staff who showed kindness and compassion. They told us that staff treated them with respect.
People received care and support that was responsive to their needs and preferences. Care plans provided detailed information about people so staff knew what people liked and what they enjoyed. People were encouraged to maintain and develop their independence. They took part in some activities that they enjoyed although people felt that the activities were limited. People were involved in developing their support plans.
Systems were in place which assessed and monitored the quality of the service. This included obtaining feedback from people who used the service and their relatives although people did not remember being asked for this.