We carried out a review of the data available to us about Ladysmith Care 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 Ladysmith Care Home, you can give feedback on this service.
Ladysmith care Home is a residential care home providing personal care for up to 90 people aged 65 and over, some of whom may be living with dementia. The service was supporting 86 people at the time of the inspection. Care was provided in one building across two floors.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
People’s medicines were administered safely. We made a recommendation about receiving and returning medicines to the pharmacy. Care plans and risk assessments provided staff with information about people’s needs and to maintain their quality of life. Staff were responsive and proactive when we identified some documentation which could be further developed.
People were supported to remain safe. Staff knew how to report allegations and concerns of abuse and understood their roles clearly and what was expected of them. Safe recruitment and selection processes were followed.
People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.
End of life care wishes were explored and recorded. People and relatives knew who to contact with any complaints. People received person-centred, responsive care. People were supported by kind and caring staff. Staff developed positive relationships with people through meaningful conversations, activities and spending time with them to find out their diverse needs.
The registered manager had systems in place to monitor the service and drive forward improvements. A positive culture was observed, including being open and honest and willing to listen to feedback. The provider was actively involved in monitoring the service and provided support the registered manager.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the Care Quality Commission’s (CQC) website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at last inspection
This service was registered with us on 1 July 2020 under this provider, and this was their first inspection. The last rating for the service under the previous provider, Knights Care (2) Limited was good, published on 20 October 2018.
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.
We found the following examples of good practice.
¿ Appropriate measures were in place at the entrance and inside the home to prevent visitors from spreading infection. All visitors had their temperature checked and were asked a set of screening questions to ascertain any risks posed and for track and trace.
¿ There were good stocks of personal protective equipment (PPE). There was clear signage on the correct use of PPE and handwashing techniques, and staff had received appropriate training in infection prevention and control.
¿ Staff supported people’s social and emotional wellbeing. Measures were in place to ensure they kept in touch with family and friends.
¿ A new visitor’s room had been completed which ensured safe visiting in the service. Relatives had direct access from the garden. The room was divided by a wall and windows and there was an intercom facility to assist communication.
¿ The provider and senior management team recognised the challenges staff were facing during the pandemic. They had introduced support sessions staff could use to talk about their work and offload their feelings, to support their wellbeing.
Further information is in the detailed findings below.