Littleborough Home for the Elderly

Updated 9 February 2024

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.

Inspection team

The inspection was carried out by an inspector 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

Littleborough Home for the Elderly 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. Littleborough Home for the Elderly is a care home without 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. Inspection activity started on 3 January 2024 and ended on 19 January 2024. We visited the service on 3 January 2024.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection, including feedback from the local authority. 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

We looked around the home to check on the condition of the building and equipment. We observed the lunchtime meal and saw how staff interacted with people. We spoke with 11 people who used the service and 5 relatives about their experience of the care.

We spoke with the registered manager and area manager and received 3 responses to a questionnaire we emailed to care staff. We reviewed a range of records. This included 3 people’s care records, medicine administration records and 2 staff recruitment files. A variety of other records relating to the management of the service were also considered as part of the inspection. These included audits, training and supervision records and checks of the equipment.

Updated 9 February 2024

About the service

Littleborough Home for the Elderly is a purpose-built care home situated in Littleborough, Rochdale. Accommodation is provided over two floors. Littleborough Home for the Elderly is registered to provide personal care and accommodation for up to 26 people. At the time of our inspection there were 23 people living at the home.

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

Relatives told us they were very happy with the home and its staff. People were supported by caring staff who respected their privacy and dignity and helped them be as independent as they could. Care was person-centred and staff helped people make choices and respected their decisions.

The service had effective safeguarding systems. These helped to protect people from abuse. Risks to people’s safety were identified and managed correctly. There were enough staff to support people in the way they wished. The provider carried out checks on new staff to ensure they were suitable to work with vulnerable people.

People received the support they needed to take their medicines. Staff were trained in infection prevention and control and people were protected against the risk of infection. Although some parts of the home had been redecorated some further improvements were needed, particularly to the toilets. A refurbishment plan was in place to make these changes and further enhance the environment.

Staff had completed appropriate training and received regular support and supervision. People were provided with a balanced diet. The registered manager and staff worked with local health services to ensure people’s health was maintained.

The registered manager and staff understood their responsibilities under the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and people's rights were protected. 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.

We received mixed comments about the provision of activities. However, there were plans to recruit an activities coordinator and develop links with the local community. A procedure was in place for managing complaints. With the support of local and specialist services, staff supported people as they reached the end of life.

The home was well managed by the registered manager, with support from an area manager and the provider. Minor issues we found during our inspection were promptly dealt with.

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 this service was good (published 25 October 2017).

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.

Follow up

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