Archived: Ladymead Care Home

Updated 14 February 2018

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 and to look at the overall quality of the service.

This inspection took place on 9 January 2018 and was unannounced. The inspection team consisted of two inspectors 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.

Before the inspection we reviewed the information we held about the service and the service provider. The registered provider completed a Provider Information Return (PIR). This is a form that asks the provider to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We looked at the notifications we had received for this service. Notifications are information about important events the service is required to send us by law.

Throughout our inspection we spent time observing care at the service. We spoke to nine people and five relatives. We also spoke with the registered manager, the deputy manager, one nurse, one senior care assistant, one care assistant, the maintenance man, the activity coordinator and the chef. We looked at records, which included, five people’s care records and people’s medication administration records (MAR). We checked recruitment, training and supervision records for four staff. We also looked at a range of records about how the service was managed.

Following the inspection we contacted a number of external health and social care professionals and commissioners to obtain their views about the service.

Updated 14 February 2018

We inspected this service on 9 January 2018. Ladymead Care Home is registered to provide personal or nursing care and accommodation for up to 40 people. On the day of our inspection 31 people were living at the service.

Ladymead Care Home is a residential setting. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as single package under one contractual agreement. Care Quality Commission (CQC) regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection. The service comprises of two floors.

At the last inspection in November 2015 the service was rated requires improvement in responsiveness and rated Good overall.

At this inspection we found the service was rated good in all areas and remained Good overall.

There was a registered manager running the service. 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.

At our previous inspection we found people’s care plans did not always reflect people's individual care needs. At this inspection we found improvements had been made and people’s care plans were up to date and reflected support people required.

Ladymead Care Home had a clear management structure, with an established long term committed team of staff. People were encouraged to raise any concerns, they were listened to and people’s feedback was acted upon. The senior team was highly regarded. The service continued to provide a good quality of care and the registered manager had systems to monitor the service delivery, to review and improve if necessary. Complaints were managed appropriately and people knew how to raise concerns.

People remained safe. Staff knew how to report safeguarding concerns and they were aware of safeguarding and whistle blowing procedures. People’s care files contained detailed risk assessments that covered areas, such as mobility, nutrition, skin integrity or falls. Where people had been identified as being at risk, their records outlined management plans on how to keep the person safe. People were supported by sufficient number of suitable skilled staff and received support without any unnecessary delay. Staff complimented the support and development opportunities they received.

The service continued to be caring. The dedicated and stable staff team supported people with kindness and respect. People’s equality and diversity needs were respected. People were provided with a variety of activities, according to their needs, choices and preferences.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) is required by law to monitor the operation of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) and the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) and report on what we find. People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice. People’s rights to make their own decisions were respected.

People’s health and well-being needs were met and staff responded effectively to people’s changing needs. The team worked with health and other professionals where required. People were supported to meet their nutritional needs and encouraged to maintain a good diet. People were supported to take their medicines safely by trained and competent staff.