The Leonard Elms Care Home

Updated 24 December 2022

The inspection

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (the Act) as part of our regulatory functions. We checked whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act. We looked at the overall quality of the service and provided a rating for the service under the Health and Social Care Act 2008.

As part of this inspection we looked at the infection control and prevention measures in place. This was conducted so we can understand the preparedness of the service in preventing or managing an infection outbreak, and to identify good practice we can share with other services.

Inspection team

This inspection was carried out by 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.

Service and service type

The Leonard Elms Care Home is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing and/or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement dependent on their registration with us. Leonard Elms is a care home with nursing care. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

Registered Manager

This provider is required to have a registered manager to oversee the delivery of regulated activities at this location. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Registered managers and providers are legally responsible for how the service is run, for the quality and safety of the care provided and compliance with regulations.

At the time of our inspection there was a registered manager in post.

Notice of inspection

This inspection was unannounced.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection.

We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return (PIR). This is information providers are required to send us annually with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make.

We used all this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

Some people living at the service were unable to communicate verbally. We spent time observing people in the communal areas of the home to help us understand their experiences. We spoke with three people who lived at the service, and four relatives.

We spoke with 12 members of staff. This included the registered manager, deputy manager, dementia director and compliance director as well as nurses, senior staff and care staff. We received feedback from four professionals who had contact with the service.

The views of everyone we spoke with have been incorporated into this report.

We viewed a range of records and documents. This included seven people’s care records and medicine records. We looked at four staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision. We checked a variety of records relating to the management of the service. This included policies and procedures, quality assurance and health and safety documents. We considered this information to help us to make a judgement about the service.

Updated 24 December 2022

About the service

The Leonard Elms Care Home is a care home providing personal and nursing care to up to 37 people. At the time of our inspection, 37 people were living at the service. The service specialises in caring for people who are living with dementia. The Leonard Elms Care Home is in a rural location. Accommodation is provided in a purpose built new wing, which is attached to the older part of the property.

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

People were protected from the risk of abuse and harm because the service assessed, monitored and managed the risks associated with their care. Information was recorded and shared appropriately to enable staff to help people get the care they required. Records were accurate, complete and up to date.

Staff understood people’s health and wellbeing needs and referrals were made to specialist services as required. People were supported by staff who followed systems and processes to manage medicines safely. We were assured that people were protected by the prevention and control of infection. The living environment and equipment were regularly checked to reduce and manage risks.

There was a high level of staffing to ensure people could be supported safely with as little restriction as possible. Staff were safely recruited and received a wide range of training opportunities to ensure they followed current best practice.

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.

Staff understood the best ways to communicate with different individuals and showed kindness and compassion when interacting with people. People had opportunities to take part in activities that met their needs and were meaningful to them.

There was a supportive and caring culture where people’s individuality and the importance of family was promoted and valued. The management team were visible and led by example. Staff felt supported and respected and enjoyed working at the service. Feedback from people, relatives and professionals was positive.

Governance processes were effective and monitored performance, kept people safe and encouraged the provision of good quality support. Actions were taken when shortfalls were identified.

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 30 April 2019).

At the last inspection we found a breach of regulations relating to medicines and equipment safety. 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 regulations.

At our last inspection we recommended the service implemented effective systems to ensure care plans were completed and kept up to date. At this inspection we found care plans were in place for everyone living at the service, and these were up to date.

Why we inspected

We carried out an unannounced comprehensive inspection of this service on 25 and 27 February 2019. A breach of legal requirements was found. The provider completed an action plan after the last inspection to show what they would do and by when to improve governance.

We undertook this focused inspection to check they had followed their action plan and to confirm they now met legal requirements. This report only covers our findings in relation to the Key Questions safe, responsive and well-led which contain those requirements.

For those key questions not inspected, we used the ratings awarded at the last inspection to calculate the overall rating. The overall rating for the service has changed from requires improvement to good. This is based on the findings at this inspection.

You can read the report from our last comprehensive inspection, by selecting the ‘all reports’ link for Leonard Elms Care Home on our website at www.cqc.org.uk.

Follow up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.