Lammas House Residential Care Home

Updated 25 January 2019

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, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

This was a comprehensive inspection. It took place on 5 December 2018 and was unannounced. One inspector undertook this inspection.

Before our inspection visit we contacted the Local Authority. They had no information of concern about the service, and were very positive about their recent experiences. We also looked at information we had received from people who shared their experience; and from notifications of events we had received from the provider.

During our inspection visit, we spoke with the registered manager, the regional manager, a senior care worker, a night care worker, two day care workers, a domestic worker, the maintenance worker, the chef, the activities worker, and the administrator. We also spoke with four people, and three relatives.

We checked two people’s care records, checked a sample of medication records and health and safety records, as well as team and resident meeting records. We also talked generally with staff and people whilst we observed the lunchtime experience and whilst people undertook activities.

After our inspection visit, the provider sent us documentation to provide further information about staff training, and quality assurance information. They also sent us the Provider Information Return (PIR). This is a form that asks the provider to give some key information about the service, including what they do well and improvements they plan to make. The registered manager thought we had previously received this, but was able to email it to us on request when it transpired there had been technical problems.

In response to our inspection visit, we also received emails from three health and social care professionals, the clergy, and another relative. All provided extremely positive information about the care of people at the home and its leadership.

Updated 25 January 2019

We inspected the service on 5 December 2018. The inspection was unannounced. Lammas House Residential Care Home is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

Lammas House Residential Care Home is a purpose-built home for older people. It is registered to provide care for a maximum of 23 people. The home has three floors. The ground floor has seven bedrooms, the first floor has nine bedrooms and the top floor has seven bedrooms. All floors have communal facilities. On the day of our inspection 20 people were using the service.

At our last inspection on 21 January 2016 we rated the service ‘good’ overall, but the key question of ‘safe’ required improvement. At this inspection we judged the key question of ‘safe’ had improved to ‘good’; and the key questions of ‘caring’ and ‘well-led’ had improved to be ‘outstanding’.’

People received a safe service. Medicines were now managed and administered safely. People were protected from avoidable harm, discrimination and abuse. Risks associated with people’s health and well-being had been assessed and acted on. The premises were well maintained, and infection control procedures were adhered to. There were sufficient staff to meet people’s needs and safe staff recruitment procedures were in place. Accidents and incidents were analysed for lessons learnt and these were shared with the staff team to reduce further reoccurrence.

People continued to receive an effective service. Staff received the training and support they required to meet people’s individual needs. People’s nutritional needs were well met. Staff identified when people required further support with eating and drinking and took appropriate action. Staff worked well with external health care professionals, and people accessed health services when required. 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 in the service supported this practice. The principles of the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) were followed.

People now received outstanding care from staff who were kind, compassionate, and went the extra mile for them. Staff treated people with the utmost dignity and respect. Staff had developed extremely positive relationships with the people they supported, they understood people’s needs, preferences, and what was important to them. Staff knew how to comfort people when they were distressed and made sure that emotional support was provided. People’s independence was promoted.

People continued to receive a responsive service. People’s needs were assessed and planned for with the involvement of the person and or their relative where required. Daily social activities were available which people enjoyed. There was a complaints procedure and the very small number of complaints had been addressed appropriately. People received excellent end of life care.

People now received outstanding leadership, with the service being extremely well-led. The registered manager and her team provided excellent support to staff; and were open and transparent in their management. The management team put people at the heart of what they did, and were well supported by the provider in their quest to deliver an exceptional service.