Lavenders

Updated 27 January 2021

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008.

As part of the Care Quality Commission's response to care homes with outbreaks of coronavirus, we are conducting reviews to ensure that the Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) practice was safe and the service was compliant with IPC measures. This was a targeted inspection looking at the IPC practices the provider has in place.

This inspection took place on 14 January 2021 and was announced.

Inspection team.

This inspection was carried out by one inspector.

Service and service type

Lavenders provides accommodation and personal care for up to 53 older people. There were 35 people using the service.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We used this information to plan our inspection. We did not ask the provider to submit a PIR for this inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with the deputy manager of the service and looked at the layout and condition of premises. We reviewed COVID policies and staff training records.

Updated 27 January 2021

What life is like for people using this service:

People and their relatives spoke positively about Lavenders. They told us it was a friendly and homely place. Comments included, “We are looked after well” and “The carers are very nice people." Another person said, “The care is amazing I couldn’t be looked after better, I’m so much happier here.” People spoke about having developed new friendships with other people since coming to live at Lavenders.

The environment was clean and maintained to a high standard. There was investment in the environment to ensure people had a safe, warm place to live.

People were supported to take their medicines safely. However, we found some improvements were needed to the current system for medicine management. The provider and registered manager acted immediately at inspection to address the shortfalls found and reviewed systems to reduce the likelihood of any similar occurrence. We have made a recommendation about the management of medicines.

Risks people experienced from their environment and because of their own needs were assessed, but the level of detail in some risk guidance was an area for improvement. We have discussed this with the registered manager.

People’s health needs were well managed and good links had been made with health professionals to help support and promote people’s health and wellbeing. People had access to the appropriate equipment they needed for their care and support needs.

People made their own day to day decisions and choices about their care, they were supported to be as independent as they could be, and there were enough suitably trained staff available to support them, when needed. Staff understood people’s likes and preferences and delivered care tailored to meet their needs. Policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

People enjoyed the meals they received. They were consulted about food quality and special diets were catered for. Those at risk of not eating or drinking enough were assessed and monitored and health professionals were contacted where this became a concern.

People were encouraged and supported to maintain the important links with their friends and family who were made welcome when they visited.

People told us that staff were caring and kind, treated them well and respected their privacy and dignity. Staff were observed to have good relationships with people and had time to spend with people during the day.

Staff received appropriate induction, training and supervision to enable them to carry out their role safely. Staff understood how to identify, record and respond to suspicions of abuse and to escalate this appropriately to the provider or external agencies, if needed.

Staff understood the process for reporting incidents and accidents and records showed they took appropriate action to ensure people received appropriate support or treatment and care and risk information was updated. Health and safety checks of the premises and equipment were made to ensure people were safe.

People were consulted about the things they liked to do and how they spent their time. A range of activities was provided to suit different tastes and abilities. Staff understood how to support people with sensory impairments and adjustments were made to ensure activities and information was inclusive for them. There were opportunities for people to go out into the community with staff support.

Several checks and audits were carried out by the registered manager and staff to provide assurance that the quality and safety of the service was being maintained, shortfalls identified were addressed.

The provider and registered manager had a visible presence in the service. People and relatives told us they had no reason to complain, but knew how to do so and felt confident this would be addressed promptly. Staff said they found the registered manager and senior staff approachable and had confidence in their leadership. Staff were given opportunities for feedback at regular staff meetings and handovers.

People and relatives were asked for their views and all feedback was used to make continuous improvements to the service.

Rating at last inspection: Good. Report published 24 March 2017

About the service: Lavenders is a privately-owned care service for up to 53 people over the age of 65, who require accommodation and personal care. The property is a detached older house, to which large extensions have been added. At the time of the inspection 52 people were receiving a service.

Why we inspected: This was a planned comprehensive inspection based on the rating at the last inspection. The service has remained rated Good overall.

Follow up: We will continue to monitor intelligence we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our inspection programme. If any concerning information is received we may inspect sooner.