Lavender Hills Care Home

Updated 24 February 2022

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 (CQC’s) response to care homes with outbreaks of COVID-19, we are conducting reviews to ensure that the Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) practice is safe and that services are compliant with IPC measures. This was a targeted inspection looking at the IPC practices the provider has in place. We also asked the provider about any staffing pressures the service was experiencing and whether this was having an impact on the service.

This inspection took place on 28 January 2022 and was announced. We gave the service one days’ notice of the inspection.

Updated 24 February 2022

About the service: Lavender Hills Care Home is a residential care home providing personal and accommodation for up to 45 older people and older people living with a dementia. At the time of the inspection visit 36 people were using the service.

People’s experience of using this service:

People told us they felt safe at the service. There were enough staff available to provide care and support; staffing arrangements were kept under review. Staff had received training on safeguarding and protection matters. They were aware of the signs and indicators of abuse and they knew what to do if they had any concerns.

The provider had arrangements to promote the safety of the premises, this included maintenance, servicing and checking systems. People were protected by the prevention and control of infection.

Staff followed some good processes to manage people's medicines safely. Some improvements were made during our visit and the provider confirmed further action was in progress, including the medicines management checking systems.

People's needs were assessed, planned for and reviewed. Each person had a care plan which was designed to ensure their needs and choices were met. People were supported with their healthcare needs. Changes in people's health and well-being were monitored and responded to. Where necessary, people received appropriate medical attention.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems at the service supported this practice.

People made positive comments about the caring, sociable attitude of staff. They said their privacy and dignity was respected. We observed staff interacting with people in a kind, pleasant and friendly manner. Staff were respectful of people's choices and opinions.

There were numerous opportunities for people to engage in a wide range of group and individual activities. Visiting arrangements were flexible, relatives and friends were made welcome at the service.

There was a good standard of décor and furnishings to provide for people's comfort and well-being.

People said they were satisfied with the variety and quality of the meals provided at the service. Their individual needs and preferences were catered for. People were supported to enjoy the mealtime experience.

People had an awareness of the service's complaints procedure and processes. They indicated they would be confident in raising concerns. Some complaints records were unclear and didn’t properly show how they were investigated and managed. The provider confirmed to us, action had been taken to make improvements.

The provider had arrangements to encourage people to express their views and be consulted about Lavender Hills Care Home. They had opportunities to give feedback on their experience of the service and suggest improvements.

The provider used a variety of systems and processes, to regularly monitor and improve the service. Management and leadership arrangements supported the effective day to day running of the service.

Rating at last inspection: At the last inspection the service was rated good (published 5 October 2016).

Why we inspected: This was a planned inspection in line with the previous rating.

Follow up: We will plan a follow up inspection as per our inspection programme. We will continue to monitor the service and if we receive any concerning information we may bring the inspection forward.

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