The Laurels Care Home

Updated 18 November 2020

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 27 October 2020 and was announced.

Updated 18 November 2020

About the service

The Laurels Care Home is a residential care home providing personal and nursing care to 30 people aged 65 and over at the time of the inspection. The service can support up to 35 people in one adapted building. The home is situated over two floors.

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

Since the last inspection the provider had increased staffing levels and our observations confirmed care was delivered in a timely manner. Some people told us they felt there were sometimes not enough staff during the morning, and call bell response times were sometimes very long. Staffing levels were regularly reviewed and monitored to ensure staff were available in sufficient numbers to support people in a timely way.

Activity hours had been increased since the last inspection and were available most days. Some people told us they did not feel there was enough going on in the home to support their enjoyment. The registered manager told us activities were reviewed regularly and people’s feedback sought before timetables were considered. During the inspection we saw activities taking place and people joining in.

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 supported effectively with their healthcare needs. This was because staff continued to liaise with other healthcare professionals to meet people's needs. Support plans contained clear ways for staff to support people with their needs.

Staff received training and support to enable them to carry out their roles. Staff felt able to approach senior staff and the registered manager. Staff were aware of where to find policies and procedures when needed.

People received the support they needed to eat and drink and maintain a healthy and balanced diet. Staff knew people's dietary needs and people told us they enjoyed the food available to them. People could enjoy snacks throughout the day and were able to choose alternative meals if they did not like what was on the menu.

There was an effective staffing and management structure in place with a team of care workers, senior care workers, deputy manager and the registered manager. Staff spoke positively about the management and running of the home. Staff understood their role and had confidence in the manager. Staff told us they worked well together as a team, and there was good morale amongst them.

There were systems in place to monitor and improve the quality of the service. Audits were carried out and people's views were sought. Where shortfalls were highlighted the registered manager was using the information to make changes and improve the service.

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

Rating at last inspection and update

The last rating for this service was requires improvement (published 22 August 2018) and the provider was in breach of regulation. The provider completed an action plan after the last inspection to show what they would do and by when to improve. At this inspection we found improvements had been made and the provider was no longer in breach of regulation.

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.