Long Lea Residential Home

This assessment was carried out to follow up on action we told the provider to take at the last assessment. During this assessment we spoke with people who lived at the service, their relatives, staff, the registered manager and sought feedback from other healthcare professionals. We looked at care plans, recruitment files and quality assurance records. The provider was previously in breach of the legal regulation in relation to safe care and treatment and good governance. Improvements were found at this assessment and the provider was no longer in breach of these regulations.

Following our last assessment, a new registered manager and a new deputy manager had been appointed. Staff described the positive impact the new management team had on the culture of the home and in promoting positive outcomes for people. Staff told us managers were always available and encouraged them to speak up about concerns and share their feedback about the service. Managers regularly checked the quality and safety of people’s care and where any improvements were identified as being required, plans were developed to address these. The registered manager was proactive in supporting and developing staff learning and practice to ensure the delivery of good standards of care.

There were enough skilled and experienced staff to provide safe and effective care. Staff understood their responsibility to keep people safe and to report any concerns or accidents and incidents that could put people at risk of harm. Potential risks to providing people's care and support had been identified and care plans included the actions staff should take to minimise the risks. Records and our observations confirmed staff worked in accordance with people’s risk management plans.

Processes were in place to ensure actions were taken following any adverse incidents and learning was shared throughout the staff team. The environment was well-maintained, and staff followed good infection control practices. Checks ensured people received their prescribed medicines when they needed them.

People were supported to attend regular healthcare appointments to keep them well and referred to other healthcare professionals when a need was identified. Processes were in place to promote communication as people moved between healthcare providers. People’s nutritional needs were assessed and care plans described what support people needed to maintain their nutritional intake. Staff worked within the principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and offered people choice and sought their consent before supporting people.