Lovat House Residential Care

Lovat House Residential Care is a residential care home providing personal care to up to 25 people in one adapted building over three floors. The service provides support to older people. At the time of our inspection there were 15 people using the service.

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

The provider did not ensure there were effective systems in place to oversee the service and to support effective governance.

The provider had not ensured staff including agency workers were provided with appropriate training, so they could do their job safely and effectively. Staff had also not received supervisions and appraisals in line with the providers policy in order to support their development. Staff said they felt supported to do their job and could ask the home manager for help when needed.

The provider did not always ensure the maintenance of the premises safety in regards to legionella

checks, thermostatic mixing valves and fail-safe checks.

We recommended the provider review their documentation in relation to end of life care and for the provider to ensure they support people to express their views and be involved in making decisions about their care.

People told us they felt safe. Staff understood their responsibilities to raise concerns and report incidents or allegations of abuse. The provider ensured their safeguarding systems were operated effectively to investigate allegations of abuse or neglect. Individual risk assessments were in place meaning staff knew how to provide safe care to people.

The service had an open and transparent way of working to ensure the safety of the people living at the service. Staff knew people they supported well and cared about their wellbeing. People and their relatives said people were treated with care, respect, and kindness by staff. Staff felt they could ask the management team for help when needed.

People were supported with their nutrition and staff worked well with people, families and health and social care agencies to support people’s wellbeing.

People’s care was individualised in order to best meet their needs and activities were in place to support with stimulation. Care plans were person centred and included the input of the relevant person. There were contingency plans in place to respond to emergencies. The provider had sought feedback from people and families.

Systems were in place for people to raise concerns and they felt they would be listened to. People felt that staff were caring, and regular activities were available for them to take part in if they wished to.

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.

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

Rating at last inspection

The last rating for the service under the previous provider was good (published on 8 January 2019).

Why we inspected

This inspection was prompted by a review of the information we held about this service.

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.

You can see what action we have asked the provider to take at the end of this full report.

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

Enforcement and Recommendations

We are mindful of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our regulatory function. This meant we took account of the exceptional circumstances arising as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic when considering what enforcement action was necessary and proportionate to keep people safe as a result of this inspection. We will continue to monitor the service and will take further action if needed.

We have identified breaches in relation to staffing, premises and equipment, and good governance at this inspection.

Please see the action we have told the provider to take at the end of this report.

Follow up

We will request an action plan from the provider to understand what they will do to improve the standards of quality and safety. We will work alongside the provider and local authority to monitor progress. We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.