About the service Langley House Care Centre is a residential care home that provides accommodation and personal care for up to 30 people. At the time of our inspection there were 26 people using the service, some of whom were living with a dementia type illness. The home accommodates people in one adapted single storey building.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
At the time of our inspection, the ownership of the registered provider had recently changed. During the same week our inspection took place, the new provider was carrying out their own audits and quality assurance checks. Staff spoke highly of the new provider and the support the home was now receiving. One member of staff told us “The new owners are a breath of fresh air and improvements are happening already.”
The new provider responded to the concerns we found immediately during and after the inspection. We observed the new provider beginning to implement comprehensive new policies, procedures, care plans and risk assessments into the service. The new provider had increased staffing levels in the home.
We found safety concerns and risks to people were not consistently identified and ongoing monitoring of risks to individuals was limited. Care plans and risk assessments did not always reflect people’s current needs or provide appropriate guidance for staff. We were not always assured appropriate and timely referrals to relevant professionals were made.
People were not always supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff did not always support them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service did not always support this practice.
Audits had failed to identify the issues found during this inspection regarding assessing risk, monitoring safety, the requirements under the MCA, and governance records. Care plans and risk assessments were not effectively reviewed.
People said they felt safe and well cared for. There were enough staff on duty and staff were recruited safely. Staff received training and supervision to support them to carry out their roles. Staff understood their safeguarding responsibilities and medicines were managed safely.
People’s likes, dislikes and preferences were recorded and staff were knowledgeable about people’s needs. People had enough to eat and drink to maintain a balanced diet.
There was a person-centred culture at the home and the registered manager had an ‘open door’ policy. Relatives, staff and people told us that the registered manager was approachable and would take appropriate action. The home had good links with the local community,
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 4 February 2020).
Why we inspected
We undertook this targeted inspection to look at infection prevention and control (IPC) 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 coronavirus and other infection outbreaks effectively.
We inspected and found concerns with the recording of capacity assessments and consent around COVID-19 testing and vaccinations. We therefore widened the scope of the inspection to become a focused inspection which included the key questions of safe, effective and well-led.
Enforcement
We are mindful of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our regulatory function. This meant we took account of the exceptional circumstances arising as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic when considering what enforcement action was necessary and proportionate to keep people safe as a result of this inspection. We will continue to monitor the service to keep people safe and to hold providers to account where it is necessary for us to do so.
We have identified breaches in relation to consent, safe care and treatment, and good governance at this inspection.
Please see the action we have told the provider to take at the end of this report.
Follow up
We will request an action plan for the provider to understand what they will do to improve the standards of quality and safety. We will work alongside the provider and local authority to monitor progress. We will return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.