Background to this inspection
Updated
9 July 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
This inspection was undertaken by two inspectors 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
Leighton Court 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 the Care Quality Commission. 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 quality and safeguarding teams. The provider was not requested to complete a provider information return prior to this inspection. 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 four people and four people’s relatives about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with eight members of the staff team, including the registered manager, maintenance person and the care manager.
We reviewed a range of records. This included four people’s care records and six people’s medication records. We looked at four staff files in relation to safe recruitment. A variety of records relating to the management of the service were also reviewed, including accidents, safeguarding information and audits.
After the inspection
We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found and reviewed additional records provided after the site visit.
Updated
9 July 2021
About the service
Leighton Court is a care home providing residential and nursing care to up to 48 people. Some people live in the home and others stay for short periods of rehabilitation and assessment of their ongoing needs. At the time of the inspection, there were 41 people residing in the home.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
Records did not always allow for clear oversight to be maintained in some areas of the service and required some work to ensure all records were robustly and clearly completed. A range of audits were in place to help the registered manager and provider monitor the quality and safety of the service. We saw that actions identified through the audits had been addressed to help drive improvements.
People told us they felt safe at Leighton Court. The home was well maintained, and staff were knowledgeable about safeguarding procedures and reporting any concerns they had. The home was clean and effective infection prevention and control procedures were in place, including those for COVID-19. Staff told us they felt safe going to work and they had access to all required personal protective equipment.
Individual risk assessments had been completed to identify risks to people and care files included information on how those risks should be mitigated. Regular reviews of accidents and incidents helped to monitor risks and reduce the chance of recurrence. Records showed that referrals were made to relevant professionals when required for specialist advice and support.
There was mixed feedback regarding staffing levels within the home, but most people and staff agreed that there were enough staff to meet people’s care needs. Feedback regarding the quality of service people received was positive and relatives told us they were kept updated about any changes regarding their family members health and wellbeing.
Medicines were managed safely and people told us they received their medicine when they needed them. Systems were in place to encourage independence with administration of medicines, especially for people receiving reablement support.
The registered manager and care manager were aware of their roles and responsibilities. CQC had been notified of incidents that providers are required to tell us about and the rating from the last inspection was displayed as required.
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 21 December 2018).
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.