We carried out a review of the data available to us about The Laurels Residential and Nursing Home on 6 July 2023. We have not found evidence that we need to carry out an inspection or reassess our rating at this stage.
This could change at any time if we receive new information. We will continue to monitor data about this service.
If you have concerns about The Laurels Residential and Nursing Home, you can give feedback on this service.
The service is a large adapted property. Accommodation is split across two floors and there were communal living and dining rooms.
People's experience of using this service and what we found
People were protected from the spread of infection, the service was clean and staff wore personal protective equipment which they changed regularly.
Risk assessments were regularly reviewed with people’s changing needs and care plans had relevant and up to date information.
Staffing levels were calculated using a dependency assessment. This calculated staffing hours required, and the manager ensured they were staffed to people’s needs.
Staff were recruited safely. Appropriate checks were made prior to staff starting in post to ensure they were suitable to work with vulnerable adults.
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.
People’s health and social care needs were managed well. There were positive relationships with professionals which supported people’s overall wellbeing. Medicine was administered safely and there were clear protocols in place for medicine which was taken when required.
People had enough to eat and drink. However, menus were written corporately, and people were not consulted on what they would like to eat and drink.
People told us the staff and the management were kind and caring. People were treated with dignity and respect. People had consented to the care provided and information was available in accessible formats.
The registered manager and deputy were keen to drive continuous improvements and were working on developing systems to have better management oversight.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Why we inspected
This service was registered with us on 6 July 2020 and this is the first inspection.
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 the service can respond to COVID-19 and other infection outbreaks effectively. This included checking the provider was meeting COVID-19 vaccination requirements.
Follow up
We will return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.
We found the following examples of good practice:
•There was clear infection prevention signage and instructions around the home to explain what people should do to ensure safety.
•Communal areas such as an indoor visiting pod and garden areas were used creatively to support relatives' visits.
•There was a booking system in place to stagger visitors and visiting times. This minimised visitor numbers and provided time between visits for cleaning of the visiting pod.
•Arrangements were in place to ensure staff appropriately social distanced during breaks. Staff wore a fluid repellent surgical mask, eye protection, gloves and apron when delivering personal care to people.
•There was a COVID-19 testing scheme in place for all staff and people living at the home. The system also ensured that people had tested negative for COVID-19, from the hospital and the community, before they were admitted to the home.
•Clear masks were available in the home for staff or visitors to use when they spoke with people who had a hearing impairment and lip read to aid communication.
•The registered manager of the home worked closely with the cleaning staff to monitor that cleaning processes were in line with national COVID-19 guidance. Cleaning staff demonstrated a very good knowledge of the cleaning products they used and the importance of their role in keeping people safe.
•There were systems in place to support staff working at the home. The registered manager of the home ensured that they meet regularly with the night staff to update them on any changes and to monitor their wellbeing. Welfare checks to support staff who were shielding were also carried out.