Archived: Leeming Garth

Updated 3 June 2021

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 Care Act 2014.

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

One inspector and an Expert by Experience carried out the inspection. 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

Leeming Garth is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

The service did not have a registered manager. The manager at the service was in the process of registering with CQC. This means that when registered they and the provider are legally responsible for how the service is run and for the quality and safety of the care provided.

Notice of inspection

This inspection was unannounced.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service. We sought feedback from the local authority and professionals who work with the service.

The provider was not asked to complete a provider information return prior to this inspection. This is information we require providers to send us to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We took this into account when we inspected the service and made the judgements in this report.

During the inspection

We spent time with people living at the service. We spoke with 13 people who used the service, two care staff and the manager. We reviewed a range of records. These included two people’s care records, a variety of records relating to the management of the service, audits and procedures.

After the inspection

We carried out telephone interviews with five members of care staff and eight relatives. We continued to seek clarification from the provider to corroborate evidence found. We looked at more audits, care plans, reports and policies.

Updated 3 June 2021

About the service

Leeming Garth care home is a residential care home providing accommodation and personal care to 33 older people at the time of our inspection. The service can support up to 45 people in one adapted building.

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

We received positive feedback from people, who told us they were happy living at Leeming Garth. People received personalised care and staff knew people well. The care plans covered all aspects of people’s care and included their preferences.

There were systems in place for communicating with people, their relatives and staff to ensure they were fully involved. This included one to one meetings, handovers and team meetings. The environment was clean, safe and maintained to a good standard. It was also adapted to meet people’s needs.

Medicines were managed well, safely administered and recorded accurately. Individualised risk assessments were in place. Staff were confident about how to raise concerns to safeguard people. Robust recruitment and selection procedures ensured suitable staff were employed.

All essential visitors had to wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE). In addition, complete NHS Track and Trace information. Additional cleaning of all areas and frequent touch surfaces was in place and being carried out and recorded regularly by staff. Training included putting on and taking off PPE, hand hygiene and other COVID-19 related training.

Additional competency checks and spot checks were carried out by the manager with all staff regarding safe use of PPE as well as practice checks.

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.

Rating at last inspection and update

The last rating for this service was Requires Improvement (published on 7 November 2019). 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.

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating. We looked at infection prevention and control measures under the Safe key question. We look at this in all care home inspections even if no concerns or risks have been identified. This is to provide assurance that the service can respond to COVID-19 and other infection outbreaks effectively.

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.