CQC report explained · a nursing home
What the CQC found at Ladymead Care Home
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors found that risks were assessed and managed, staffing met people's needs, recruitment checks were carried out and medicines were given safely. Infection prevention arrangements were also in place.
- Effective?
- Good
- Care was planned around people's assessed needs and choices. Staff received induction, training and supervision, and people were supported with food, drink and access to healthcare.
- Caring?
- Good
- People and relatives described staff as caring. Inspectors observed respectful interactions and found that people's privacy, dignity, independence and choices were supported.
- Responsive?
- Good
- Care plans were personalised and updated as people's needs changed. People could choose whether to join activities, but outside visits had reduced during the pandemic.
- Well-led?
- Good
- Inspectors found a stable management and staffing structure, effective checks on quality and a clear focus on improvement. The home worked with families and outside health and social care professionals.
What inspectors found, February 2022
Rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and personalised care, with some concerns about food quality and reduced outside activities.
This was an unannounced planned inspection on 7 and 16 December 2021. Two inspectors and an Expert by Experience spoke with people, relatives, staff and healthcare professionals. They looked at care records, medicine records, recruitment and training records, the building and the home's quality checks.
The home was rated Good in all five areas: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. Inspectors found enough staff, safe medicines systems, suitable training and good risk management. People were treated with kindness, dignity and respect, and received care based on their individual needs.
There were some mixed views about the quality of meat and fish. Activities continued after the activities co-ordinator left, but outside visits had reduced during the pandemic. The manager said there were plans to improve the food and restart outside visits when allowed.
Managing risks
People's risks were assessed and staff knew how to follow the plans. The report gives examples covering nutrition, choking and pressure areas.
“People's risk assessments included areas such as nutrition, choking and pressure area management.” from the report
Kind and respectful care
People and relatives spoke positively about staff. Inspectors saw polite and respectful interactions and found that privacy and dignity were protected.
“People were treated with dignity and respect at all times and were not discriminated against.” from the report
Personalised support
Care planning took account of people's needs, preferences, routines, goals and abilities. Plans were updated when people's needs changed.
“People received personalised care and support specific to their needs, preferences and routines.” from the report
Stable leadership
The home had a stable management and staffing structure. Quality checks, staff feedback and people's views were used to identify improvements.
“There was significant emphasis on continuously improving the service.” from the report
Food quality
minorMost people enjoyed the food, but some people criticised the quality of the meat and fish. The manager said these concerns were being addressed.
“Food on the whole pretty good. Meat very poor you could sew your boots with some of it.” from the report
Reduced outside activities
minorPeople had access to activities inside the home, but outside visits had reduced during the pandemic. The manager said there was a plan to reintroduce them when allowed.
“Records showed people had access to a variety of activities including external visits. However, these had reduced since the pandemic.” from the report
- 01What changes have been made to the quality of meat and fish since this inspection?
- 02How are activities organised now that the activities co-ordinator has left?
- 03Have outside visits resumed, and what activities are available for people who cannot or do not want to attend group sessions?
- 04How will you make sure my relative's care plan is updated as their needs, preferences or routines change?
- 05How will you involve me and my relative in care reviews and decisions about support?
This was an unannounced comprehensive inspection covering all five key questions and infection prevention and control; it was the first inspection for the newly registered service. This explanation was written from the published report of 3 February 2022 by an AI system and checked against the report text: every quoted line appears in the report. It is a guide to the report, not a substitute for it. Read the full report on cqc.org.uk.
What inspectors found, March 2021
Ladymead Care Home was inspected but not rated; inspectors found strong infection-control arrangements during the pandemic.
This was a targeted, announced inspection on 9 February 2021. It looked at infection prevention and control during the coronavirus pandemic, rather than the full range of care.
Inspectors were assured that the home managed visitors, admissions, testing, personal protective equipment and cleaning safely. They also found arrangements for shielding, social distancing and managing possible outbreaks.
The home supported people's wellbeing during lockdown and helped them stay in touch with relatives. It also kept families informed through bulletins, newsletters and other communication.
The service was inspected but not rated. This means the report does not give a quality rating for the home or a standard rating for most of the five areas.
Visitor safety
Visitors were given infection-control information, asked to complete a declaration and have their temperature recorded. PPE and a visiting pod supported safer visits.
“There was a safe system to manage visitors, infection control procedures were explained to visitors on arrival, they were asked to complete a declaration form and record temperatures taken at the time.” from the report
PPE and staff training
Staff had infection-control training and followed PPE procedures. The provider also kept enough suitable PPE available.
“Staff received training and followed correct infection control and using personal protective equipment (PPE) processes.” from the report
Clean environment
Inspectors found the home clean and fresh, with extra cleaning of frequently touched surfaces and regular infection-control audits.
“The service was clean and fresh, staff carried out a number of additional tasks, such as cleaning of any regular touchpoint surfaces.” from the report
Family communication
The home kept relatives informed and helped people maintain contact through technology during lockdown.
“Staff ensured people were able to stay in touch with their families using technology, such as video calls.” from the report
Wellbeing support
The provider introduced an assessment tool to monitor how lockdown and the pandemic might affect people's wellbeing.
“There was an emphasis on recognising people's wellbeing during the lockdown.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01What is the home's current CQC rating, given that this inspection was not rated?
- 02Are the visitor checks, PPE arrangements and visiting pod still in place?
- 03How often are residents and staff tested for infections now?
- 04How would the home isolate new or existing residents if an infection was suspected or confirmed?
- 05How will my relative be supported to keep in touch with family if visiting is restricted?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control during the coronavirus pandemic; it did not assess the other care-quality areas. This explanation was written from the published report of 4 March 2021 by an AI system and checked against the report text: every quoted line appears in the report. It is a guide to the report, not a substitute for it. Read the full report on cqc.org.uk.
Every inspection of Ladymead Care Home
3 rated inspections over 6 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- February 2022Goodcurrent ratingSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- March 2021Inspected but not ratedSafe: Inspected but not rated
- February 2018Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- January 2016GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: Requires improvementWell-led: Good
- July 2020
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 31 July 2020.
Ratings and report dates from the Care Quality Commission, Open Government Licence v3.0. A home can also be visited without a new rating being published, so the timeline shows published inspections.
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44 live-in carers within about an hour of Swindon
These are self-employed carers on PrimeCarers, the introductory agency that runs this directory. Each has a profile with their own rates and reviews from families, and you choose who to talk to.
Most charge £990 to £1,280 a week. 34 can care for a couple. 12 years' experience on average.
“Linet became her carer and all changed, my daughter started eating, taking her medications and more important her happiness came back.”
“She was very caring, kind and patient to all his needs, she built up a wondetful rapport with him, she was dedicated and was there for him through good times as well as through the tough times”
Every carer has had an enhanced DBS check in the last 18 months, ID and right-to-work checks and an online interview. Their skills and training are for you to check with them. Carers set their own rates, and who is free changes week to week.