- Care home
The Lawns
We issued warning notices on Care Dorset Limited on 13 September 2024 for failing to meet the Regulations concerning safe care and treatment, dignity and respect, safeguarding service users from abuse and improper treatment and good governance at the Lawns.
Report from 11 July 2024 assessment
Contents
Ratings
Our view of the service
The Lawns is a care home, providing accommodation for up to 41 people. The service provides support to older people and people who are living with dementia. At the time of our inspection there were 28 people using the service. We conducted our on-site assessment on1, 6 and 12 August 2024, continuing off site until 22 August 2024. This assessment was undertaken to follow-up on concerns received and a decision was made to complete an assessment to examine those risks. As the service had not been inspected under its current provider, Care Dorset Limited, we completed a comprehensive assessment.
At this assessment we identified 5 breaches of the legal regulations in relation to dignity and respect, safe care and treatment, managing risk, consent to care and treatment, use of restraint, premises and equipment, safe staffing levels, and management oversight; we also found provider did not notify CQC of all incidents that affect the health, safety and welfare of people who use services.
We were not assured that service users were receiving their medicines safely as prescribed. People’s risk assessments did not always clearly and concisely describe how to mitigate them. We were not assured that the use of restraint and restrictive practices were only used when necessary, proportionate and regularly reviewed. Best interest decisions were not completed for all decisions pertaining to care and support where a service user lacked mental capacity to consent. Staff, people, and their relatives told us there were not always enough staff deployed. Staff did not always ensure service users privacy and dignity was maintained. Staff did not always feel supported by the management and the organisation. Managers did not have oversight of the service to monitor quality and safety.
Where CQC have decided to take civil enforcement action against a provider, we will publish this information on our website after any representations and/or appeals have been concluded.
People's experience of this service
People and relatives expressed mixed views about the service. Comments included, “Some carers are well trained, so [person] is safe, but others I am not sure about.”, “There’s nothing going on. I feel [person] is going downhill due to nothing to do.”, “It’s a very outdated facility. Old fabric covered chairs and its carpeted throughout… Lots of corridors and small rooms. You can sit in one lounge and not see a carer for an hour due to the lay out… Once woman spilt a drink and pressed the bell, after 5 or 10 minutes I went to find someone”, “[person] is safer here than in their own home”, and " I feel very safe and very supported. I know I could complain, and they would do all in their power to help me, but I have no complaints.”
People and relatives told us there were not always enough staff deployed to meet needs. A person told us, “They could do with more staff. You can’t always get staff when you need them. When I finish my meal in the dining room, I always have to wait for staff to take me to my room. It takes time.” Relatives commented, “They are struggling to get enough staff. I have seen them doing medicines, all looked tired. They are aware they are short staffed and are doing a good job.”, “It’s been difficult times, a high use of agency staff who didn’t know residents’ needs. Now it’s much better except for weekends”, “There are not enough staff, you can often wait for the front door to be opened. Could be 3 or 4 waiting.” and “There are enough staff. [person] says it takes time to answer the bell, but I think there is plenty of staff, always welcoming.”
People told us staff were caring and knew people well. One person told us, “Staff are very kind and helpful. I have always been an early riser and staff support me in getting my morning routine sorted so I can have breakfast early and get to the garden.” Relatives agreed, “Carers knowledgeable and friendly. I never worry about the carers, when I observe them, I see they are proactive."