CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Laureston House Residential Home
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors were assured about the home's infection prevention and control arrangements. This included visiting, admissions, PPE, testing, cleaning and managing outbreaks.
- Effective?
- Good
- Effective was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
- Caring?
- Good
- Caring was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
- Responsive?
- Good
- Responsive was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
- Well-led?
- Good
- Well-led was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
What inspectors found, April 2021
Inspected but not rated; inspectors were assured about the home's infection prevention and control arrangements.
This was an announced, targeted inspection on 17 March 2021. It focused on how the home prevented and controlled Covid-19 infections.
Inspectors were assured that visiting, social distancing, new admissions, protective equipment, testing, cleaning and infection outbreak arrangements were managed safely. The home had a visitor pod, video calls and an arrangement for an essential care giver to support a relative.
The home was inspected but not rated overall, and Safe was also inspected but not rated. This report does not give ratings for Effective, Caring, Responsive or Well-led.
Safer visiting
Visits were by appointment and a visitor pod allowed relatives to visit without entering the service.
“There was a visitor pod in the vestibule so relatives could safely visit their family members.” from the report
Keeping families connected
People could use video calls with family members, and relatives received regular newsletters about developments and Covid-19 safety.
“There was a video portal enabling people living in the service to see and speak with their family members.” from the report
Safe admissions
New residents had Covid-19 testing, a 14-day isolation period and health monitoring.
“A negative test for Covid-19 and a 14-day isolation period were in place.” from the report
Clean environment
The home had cleaning schedules and infection control audits, with actions followed up when needed.
“There were cleaning schedules in place. The service was neat and clean.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How do visiting arrangements work now, and is the visitor pod still being used?
- 02How would an essential care giver be supported to contribute safely to a relative's care?
- 03What testing and isolation arrangements are used when someone new moves into the home?
- 04How do you check that staff and visitors are using PPE safely?
- 05How are cleaning schedules and infection control audit actions monitored?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control during the Covid-19 pandemic; it did not provide a full service rating or assess the other four questions. This explanation was written from the published report of 9 April 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.
What inspectors found, November 2019
Laureston House Residential Home was rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and responsive care, with clear improvements since the previous Requires Improvement rating.
This was an unannounced inspection by two inspectors on 01 November 2019. They spoke with eight people, four relatives, a visiting health professional, the manager and five care staff. They also observed care and checked care, medicine, recruitment and management records.
All five areas were rated Good. Inspectors found that care plans were clearer, medicines were managed safely, staffing levels were suitable and people were treated with kindness and respect. People had activities, access to healthcare and support with food, drinks and communication.
The home had improved from Requires Improvement at the previous inspection. Earlier problems with safe care, person-centred care and management records had been addressed, and the provider was no longer in breach of those regulations.
Kind and respectful care
People and relatives described staff as caring. Inspectors saw relaxed, friendly relationships and found that privacy, dignity and independence were respected.
“People were positive about staff and the support they received.” from the report
Safer medicines and care planning
Care plans were clear and up to date. Medicines were stored, recorded and administered safely, with guidance for as-needed medicines and thickeners.
“Care plans contained the information staff needed to reduce risks to people.” from the report
Activities and personal choice
The range of activities had improved. People were supported to follow their interests, spend time with others or enjoy activities in their rooms.
“The level and variety of activity on offer had improved as a result and people were lively and engaged and told us they were happy.” from the report
Improved management
The management structure, staff support, audits and records had improved since the previous inspection. The provider had acted on earlier failings.
“At this inspection we found improvements had been made and the provider was no longer in breach of regulations.” from the report
End of life decisions still being developed
minorEnd of life care plans were in place, but work was still continuing with people and relatives to record advanced decisions about treatment.
“The registered manager was continuing to build upon these plans and was working with people and their relatives to put in place advanced decisions.” from the report
- 01How do you check that care plans remain clear, accurate and up to date?
- 02How do you monitor medicines records, including as-needed medicines, creams and liquids?
- 03What activities are currently available for people who prefer to stay in their rooms?
- 04How are people's end of life wishes and advanced decisions recorded and reviewed?
- 05How do people and relatives raise concerns, and how are the concerns acted on?
This was a planned inspection covering all five CQC questions, the premises and the care provided; it followed a previous Requires Improvement rating. This explanation was written from the published report of 26 November 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 Laureston House Residential Home
4 rated inspections over 4 years: the service has improved, from Requires improvement to Good.
- April 2021Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
Read what inspectors found at Laureston House Residential Home →
- November 2019Goodup from Requires improvementSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
Read what inspectors found at Laureston House Residential Home →
- December 2018Requires improvementdown from GoodSafe: Requires improvementEffective: Requires improvementCaring: GoodResponsive: Requires improvementWell-led: Requires improvement
- January 2017Goodup from Requires improvementSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- December 2015Requires improvementSafe: Requires improvementEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Requires improvement
- September 2015
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 15 September 2015.
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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39 live-in carers within about an hour of Kent
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 £980 to £1,260 a week. 33 can care for a couple. 12 years' experience on average.
“Always on time and with a lovely smile for my mum. Theresa is kind and sensitive to my mum's needs.”
“Irene was a very kind and empathetic carer who knew just the right words to say to put a smile on my face.”
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.