CQC report explained · a nursing home
What the CQC found at Larkhall Springs Nursing Home
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors were assured that infection risks were being managed, including testing, protective equipment, cleaning, admissions and visits. The home was also meeting COVID-19 vaccination requirements for non-exempt staff and visiting professionals.
- Effective?
- Good
- This area was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
- Caring?
- Good
- This area was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
- Responsive?
- Good
- This area was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
- Well-led?
- Requires improvement
- This area was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
What inspectors found, January 2022
Inspected but not rated; inspectors found strong infection control, safe visiting arrangements and appropriate COVID-19 precautions.
This was an announced, targeted inspection on 14 January 2022. Inspectors looked mainly at infection prevention and control, visiting arrangements and whether COVID-19 staffing pressures were affecting the home.
Inspectors found the home was clean and had detailed cleaning schedules. They found regular infection control audits, suitable supplies of protective equipment, and staff who had been trained to use it safely.
The home had several ways for relatives to visit or keep in touch, including a visiting pod, video calls and visits in bedrooms. The report says the home met the COVID-19 vaccination requirements for staff and visiting professionals.
The service was inspected but not rated. This means the report does not give a quality rating for the service or a full assessment of all five areas of care.
Clean environment
The home was clean and had comprehensive cleaning schedules. Infection control audits were carried out regularly and actions were followed up when needed.
“The service was clean and there were comprehensive cleaning schedules in place.” from the report
Safe visiting
Relatives were offered different ways to stay in touch, including a visiting pod, video calls and visits in people's bedrooms.
“People's relatives were presented with a number of options of staying in touch with their loved ones.” from the report
Protective equipment and training
The home had appropriate supplies of protective equipment. Staff had training and used the correct infection control process.
“All staff received training and followed the correct infection prevention and control process by using appropriate PPE.” from the report
COVID-19 controls
The home had controls for visitors and professionals, including testing, vaccination checks, hand sanitising and protective equipment.
“The service was meeting the requirement to ensure non-exempt staff and visiting professionals were vaccinated against COVID-19.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01What measures are currently in place if COVID-19 creates staffing pressures, and how could this affect people's care?
- 02What visiting arrangements are available now, and are relatives still offered different ways to keep in touch?
- 03How often are infection control audits carried out, and how are any actions checked and completed?
- 04How are staff and visiting professionals currently checked for the required vaccination, testing and infection control measures?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control, visiting arrangements and COVID-19-related staffing pressures; it did not provide a full assessment of all five areas of care. This explanation was written from the published report of 28 January 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, January 2019
Rated Good overall; inspectors found kind, safe care, but the home needed to improve its leadership and record-keeping.
Inspectors visited unannounced on 4 December 2018. They spoke with people, relatives, staff and health professionals. They observed care and reviewed care plans, medicines records, staff files, complaints, incidents, training and quality checks.
The home was rated Good for Safe, Effective, Caring and Responsive. Inspectors found kind and respectful staff, person-centred care, safe medicines support, meaningful activities and good links with health professionals.
Well-led was rated Requires Improvement. The home had not followed its safeguarding reporting policy for two incidents. Inspectors also found gaps in some records and said end-of-life planning and some mealtime support needed improvement. The overall rating stayed Good, the same as at the previous inspection in June 2016.
Kind and respectful care
Inspectors saw staff treating people with kindness and respect. Staff knew people well and supported their dignity and relationships.
“People were supported by staff who were kind, caring and polite.” from the report
Safe medicines support
Medicines were administered and recorded safely. Staff also had guidance for medicines given only when needed.
“Medicines were administered and disposed of safely. Medicine administration records (MAR) confirmed people received their medicines as prescribed.” from the report
Person-centred care
Care plans included people's preferences, life histories, communication needs and independence. People and relatives were involved in reviewing care.
“Care plans highlighted people's memories and achievements and documented areas that may upset or distress a person.” from the report
Meaningful activities
People could take part in activities they enjoyed, including outings and creative activities.
“Activities were meaningful and appropriate for people living at Larkhall Springs Nursing Home.” from the report
Safeguarding reporting
needs fixingThe provider did not follow its safeguarding reporting policy for two incidents. Inspectors recommended reviewing how reportable incidents are assessed and reported.
“The provider had failed to follow their policy in relation to safeguarding reporting for two incidents in July and October 2018.” from the report
Incomplete end-of-life plans
needs fixingSome end-of-life plans lacked people's wishes, preferred care and cultural or religious preferences. This could make it harder to provide fully individualised care at the end of life.
“End of life care plans were in place but were not always completed or often contained limited individualised details.” from the report
Gaps in care records
needs fixingRecords did not always show positional changes for two people at risk of pressure ulcers. Inspectors also suggested that specific health-condition plans could be added.
“Gaps in recording of positional changes were identified for two people who were at risk of developing pressure ulcers.” from the report
Uneven mealtime support
minorPeople on the lower floor did not always receive focused support at mealtimes, and the environment there could have supported people better.
“People on the lower floor did not always get focused support during their mealtime and the environment could have supported people more effectively.” from the report
- 01What has changed in the way safeguarding incidents are assessed and reported since the inspection?
- 02How do you make sure positional changes are recorded for people at risk of pressure ulcers?
- 03How are end-of-life plans completed with each person, including their wishes and cultural or religious preferences?
- 04What improvements have been made to mealtime support on the lower floor?
- 05How are individual staff supervisions now provided and recorded?
This was a planned, unannounced inspection covering all five CQC questions, including both the premises and the care provided. This explanation was written from the published report of 16 January 2019 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 Larkhall Springs Nursing Home
2 rated inspections over 3 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- January 2022Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
Read what inspectors found at Larkhall Springs Nursing Home →
- January 2019Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Requires improvement
Read what inspectors found at Larkhall Springs Nursing Home →
- June 2016GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- December 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- April 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- February 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- December 2010
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 2 December 2010.
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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25 live-in carers within about an hour of Bath and North East Somerset
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 £1,030 to £1,320 a week. 20 can care for a couple. 12 years' experience on average.
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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.