CQC report explained · a nursing home
What the CQC found at Lambwood Heights Care home
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- People felt safe. Inspectors found suitable staffing, safe recruitment, risk assessments, safe medicines systems, infection controls and checks on accidents and incidents.
- Effective?
- Good
- People's needs were assessed and staff were trained and supported. Inspectors found good support with food, healthcare and day-to-day choices, but recommended improvements to mealtime practice and capacity assessments.
- Caring?
- Good
- Staff treated people with kindness, dignity and respect. People and relatives said staff were caring, and inspectors observed positive, unhurried and attentive interactions.
- Responsive?
- Outstanding
- Care was highly personalised and activities reflected people's histories, interests and abilities. Inspectors found strong support for relationships, communication, community involvement, complaints and end-of-life wishes.
- Well-led?
- Good
- The management team promoted an open culture and used audits, meetings and clinical reviews to monitor quality and make improvements. People, relatives and staff said they could share their views.
What inspectors found, August 2021
Rated Good overall; inspectors found exceptionally responsive, kind and safe care, with improvements needed to dementia mealtimes and capacity assessments.
This was the first inspection since the home registered. It was unannounced and took place on 09 June 2021 and 11 June 2021. Inspectors spoke with six people, four relatives and 12 staff. They also observed care and checked care, medicine, recruitment and management records.
The overall rating was Good. Safe, Effective, Caring and Well-led were rated Good. Responsive was rated Outstanding. Inspectors found enough staff, safe medicines practice, clean premises, kind care and strong management systems.
Activities were highly personalised and linked to people's past interests and lives. The home also supported community links, family contact and detailed planning for people's wishes at the end of life.
Inspectors made two recommendations. Mealtimes for people living with dementia could be improved, and mental capacity assessments needed to be more specific to each decision.
Personalised activities
Activities were built around people's past hobbies, skills and interests. Inspectors found that this improved people's sense of purpose and wellbeing.
“Activities in the service were exceptionally meaningful and had a positive impact on people's lives.” from the report
Kind and respectful care
Staff spent time getting to know people and provided positive, unhurried care. People's privacy, dignity and choices were respected.
“We observed positive and unhurried care throughout our inspection with staff providing attentive care to people who used the service.” from the report
Safety systems
The home had systems to manage risks, check equipment, recruit staff safely and administer medicines. People and relatives told inspectors they felt safe.
“The service used an electronic medicine system which gave the senior team very good oversight and alerted them immediately to any omissions or concerns.” from the report
Communication and community links
The home used technology and communication aids to help people stay in touch and understand information. It also had strong links with local schools, groups and health professionals.
“The provider understood and met the AIS.” from the report
End-of-life support
People's wishes were discussed and recorded, with staff and end-of-life champions supporting people and relatives. Medicines and equipment were planned for comfort when needed.
“Staff treated [family member] with such care, dignity and compassion during this time and were wonderful with me too” from the report
Dementia mealtimes
needs fixingSome people living with dementia were not reminded what food was available during the meal. Staff also added sauce without checking first, so the provider was advised to follow best practice.
“We recommend the provider consider best practice guidance when supporting people with dementia at mealtimes.” from the report
Capacity assessments
needs fixingMental capacity assessments were not always linked to a specific decision and were sometimes generic. The provider was advised to seek further training based on current best practice.
“People had mental capacity assessments in place however, these were not always decision specific and were generic in their content.” from the report
- 01What has changed in the way staff explain meal choices and check preferences for people living with dementia?
- 02How are mental capacity assessments now made specific to each decision?
- 03How will you make sure new staff understand each person's care plan, history, likes and dislikes?
- 04How are activities planned for someone whose interests or abilities change?
- 05How will you involve our family member and us in care plan reviews and decisions about future or end-of-life care?
This was the first unannounced inspection of the newly registered home and covered all five CQC key questions, including infection prevention and control. This explanation was written from the published report of 13 August 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 Lambwood Heights Care home
Each visit the CQC has published, newest first, back to the day the home was registered.
- August 2021Goodcurrent ratingSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: OutstandingWell-led: Good
- December 2019
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 18 December 2019.
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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35 live-in carers within about an hour of Essex
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 £1,020 to £1,260 a week. 25 can care for a couple. 10 years' experience on average.
“Not only was she professional, polite and efficient but she bought a lovely smile and laughter to my parents home.”
“She brought fun and stimulation into mums life.”
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.