Larchfield Manor

Updated 13 November 2019

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.

Inspection team

One inspector carried out this inspection.

Service and service type

Larchfield Manor 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 had a manager registered with CQC. This means that 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 since the last inspection. We sought feedback from the local authority who works with the service. We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return. This is information providers are required to send us with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. This information helps support our inspections. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection-

We spoke with 14 people who used the service and four relatives about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with seven members of staff including the registered manager, deputy manager, senior care workers, care workers and the chef.

We reviewed a range of records. This included two people’s care records and five medication records. We looked at two staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures were reviewed.

After the inspection

We received written feedback from five relatives who could not speak with us during the inspection but wanted the opportunity to give their opinions of the service.

Updated 13 November 2019

About the service

Larchfield Manor is a residential care home providing accommodation and personal care for up to 47 people, including people living with dementia. At the time of the inspection there were 42 people using the service.

The service has communal space and bedroom accommodation over two floors. There are two wings to the service each of which has separate adapted facilities. One of the wings is called the Coach House and specialises in providing care to people living with dementia.

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

People told us they felt safe and well supported by staff. The provider followed robust recruitment checks, to employ suitable staff, and there were sufficient staff employed to ensure care and support was carried out in a timely way. People's medicines were managed safely.

Staff received appropriate training to give them the knowledge and skills they required to carry out their roles. This included training on the administration of medicines and on how to protect people from the risk of harm. Staff received regular supervision to fulfil their roles effectively and had yearly appraisals to monitor their work performance.

People had choice and control of their lives and the staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

There was a planned programme of activities which met people's needs and was tailored to their interests and abilities.

Staff knew about people's individual care needs and care plans were person-centred and up to date. People and relatives gave us positive feedback about the staff and described them as "Excellent, caring and friendly." Staff treated people who used the service with compassion, dignity and respect.

The service was well managed and organised. The registered manager assessed and monitored the quality of care provided to people. People and staff were asked for their views and their suggestions were used to improve the service.

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

Rating at last inspection

The last rating for this service was good (published April 2017).

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating. 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.