CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at The Laurel
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors were assured about infection control, PPE, testing, safe admissions, visiting arrangements and outbreak planning. The provider also said it had measures to manage COVID-19-related staffing pressures.
- Effective?
- Good
- This was not covered by the targeted inspection.
- Caring?
- Good
- This was not covered by the targeted inspection.
- Responsive?
- Outstanding
- This was not covered by the targeted inspection.
- Well-led?
- Good
- This was not covered by the targeted inspection, although inspectors noted infection control audits and support from a regional quality and assurance manager.
What inspectors found, February 2022
Inspected but not rated; inspectors found strong infection control, safe visiting arrangements and measures to manage COVID-19 risks.
This was an announced, targeted inspection on 3 February 2022. Inspectors focused on infection prevention and control, visiting arrangements and whether COVID-19-related staffing pressures affected the home.
Inspectors found the home was clean and had regular cleaning, infection control audits and extra cleaning of frequently touched surfaces. They were assured that the home used PPE safely, arranged testing, managed admissions safely and had plans for possible outbreaks.
The home supported visits through technology, outdoor and well-ventilated face-to-face visits, and visits in line with government guidance. The service was meeting the requirement for non-exempt staff and visiting professionals to be vaccinated against COVID-19.
The home was inspected but not rated. This report does not provide ratings for the quality of care, staffing, responsiveness or management.
Clean environment
The home was clean and fresh. It used regular and additional cleaning schedules, including for frequently touched surfaces.
“The service was clean and fresh, staff carried out a regular cleaning schedule.” from the report
Safe admissions
New admissions were only allowed after a confirmed negative COVID-19 test. The environment had also been assessed for possible isolation needs.
“The provider had robust systems to ensure safe admissions, including only allowing new admissions after a confirmed negative result of the Covid-19 test.” from the report
PPE and staff training
Staff were trained in infection prevention and the safe use of PPE. Their competence was checked regularly.
“Staff had received training on infection prevention and control guidance.” from the report
Keeping families in touch
Relatives could stay in touch through technology, outdoor visits and face-to-face visits in well-ventilated spaces, in line with guidance.
“People's relatives were able to stay in touch with people.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01What infection control, PPE and COVID-19 testing arrangements are in place now?
- 02How would you manage a new admission who needed to isolate?
- 03How are visits arranged now, and what would happen if infection restrictions changed?
- 04What staffing pressures does the home currently have, and how are they affecting people's care?
- 05What are the home's current ratings for effective, caring, responsive and well-led care, as these areas were not assessed in this inspection?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control, visiting arrangements and COVID-19-related staffing pressures; it did not rate the other key areas of care. This explanation was written from the published report of 16 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, September 2018
The Laurel was rated Good overall; inspectors found safe, kind and effective care, with Outstanding support for people's individual needs and choices.
This was an unannounced inspection on 13 July 2018. The inspectors spoke with two people, observed care and medicines support, and spoke with the manager and two staff. They reviewed care plans, risk assessments, medicines records, recruitment files, complaints, staffing records and quality checks.
The home supported up to five people with learning disabilities. Inspectors found enough trained staff, safe medicines practice, suitable risk assessments and a clean, well-maintained environment. People were supported to make choices, develop independence and manage their health.
People and relatives spoke very positively about the kindness of staff. Support was personalised and included work, hobbies, holidays, community activities and bereavement support. The home was rated Good for Safe, Effective, Caring and Well-led, and Outstanding for Responsive.
The overall rating remained Good, as it had been at the previous inspection in June 2016. The report says the home had improved its Responsive rating to Outstanding.
Personalised support
Care plans reflected people's preferences, histories, relationships and goals. They were reviewed and changed promptly when needs changed.
“People's needs and the support provided to them were constantly reviewed and the care plans were immediately changed when needed.” from the report
Strong response to changing needs
Staff responded quickly to a serious health crisis and continued supporting the person in hospital and after returning home.
“The service went above their contractual duty providing support to the person when they had experienced a health crisis.” from the report
Promoting independence
People were supported to develop daily living skills, work, travel, take part in activities and pursue hobbies.
“People were supported to develop their skills and pursue their hobbies and interests.” from the report
Kind and respectful staff
People and relatives consistently described staff as kind and caring. Staff understood people's communication methods and protected their privacy and dignity.
“People and relatives were delighted with the kindness and thoughtfulness of staff.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How would you support my relative's individual goals, hobbies, work or community activities?
- 02How are care plans and risk assessments updated when a person's health or needs change?
- 03How would staff communicate with my relative if they have complex or non-verbal communication needs?
- 04How do you make sure there are enough trained staff to support people's changing routines and needs?
- 05How would you involve my relative and our family in planning health care, end of life wishes and important decisions?
This was an unannounced inspection covering all five CQC areas, with the previous overall rating of Good retained and the Responsive rating improved to Outstanding. This explanation was written from the published report of 8 September 2018 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 The Laurel
2 rated inspections over 2 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- February 2022Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- September 2018Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: OutstandingWell-led: Good
- May 2016GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- April 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- December 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- November 2011
Report published without a new overall rating.
- February 2011
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 4 February 2011.
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.
Weigh the report against the rest
Fees, photos and reviews from families
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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.