CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at The Laurels
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors found enough staff, safe medicines management, regular safety checks and suitable infection control measures. They identified risks from uncovered radiators and exposed pipes, and the provider took immediate action.
- Effective?
- Good
- This question was not inspected during this focused visit. Its previous rating was used when calculating the overall rating.
- Caring?
- Good
- This question was not inspected during this focused visit. Its previous rating was used when calculating the overall rating.
- Responsive?
- Good
- This question was not inspected during this focused visit. Its previous rating was used when calculating the overall rating.
- Well-led?
- Good
- Inspectors found a friendly, open culture, good teamwork and systems for checking quality and safety. Audits had not identified the risks from hot surfaces, but action was taken.
What inspectors found, August 2023
Rated Good; inspectors found kind, well-organised care, but identified and promptly addressed risks from hot surfaces.
This was an unannounced focused inspection on 17 and 18 July 2023. Inspectors spoke with people, relatives, staff and professionals. They also reviewed care records, medicines records, recruitment files and management checks.
The home was rated Good overall. Safe and Well-led were both rated Good. Inspectors found enough staff, safe medicines practices, good infection control, and systems for monitoring quality and safety. People were described as happy and well cared for.
Inspectors found some uncovered radiators and exposed pipes, which created risks from hot surfaces. The risk assessment was not sufficient, but the provider acted immediately. Inspectors also highlighted changes to the laundry area to reduce clutter and improve infection control.
This inspection only assessed Safe and Well-led. The ratings for Effective, Caring and Responsive were carried forward from the previous inspection, when the overall rating was also Good.
Kind, personalised care
People received person-centred support from caring staff who knew them well. People and relatives described the home as friendly, happy and welcoming.
“People received person centred care and support by caring staff who knew them well.” from the report
Enough staff
The home had no current staff vacancies and did not use agency staff. Inspectors found staff responded quickly to people's needs.
“The home was well staffed. There were no current vacancies, and the service did not use any agency staff.” from the report
Medicines managed safely
Medicines were stored and given safely. Records were completed accurately, and staff had training and competency checks.
“Medicines were stored and administered safely.” from the report
Positive atmosphere
Inspectors saw positive interactions between staff and people. Staff worked well together and people and relatives felt able to raise concerns.
“The home was welcoming, happy and friendly. We observed positive interactions between staff and people.” from the report
Community links
The home involved people in community activities and worked with local organisations and health and social care professionals.
“The service was part of the local community, engaging with local religious and educational organisations.” from the report
Hot surface risks
seriousSome radiators were uncovered and pipes were exposed. The risk assessment did not fully protect people, although the provider acted immediately to address this.
“People were not protected from the risks from hot surfaces. There were some uncovered radiators and exposed pipes.” from the report
Laundry area changes
needs fixingInspectors identified clutter in the laundry area and said changes would help improve infection control. The provider later sent a plan for modifications.
“We highlighted where changes would be beneficial in the laundry area to reduce clutter and promote better infection control practice.” from the report
- 01What immediate action was taken to cover the radiators and exposed pipes?
- 02Has the risk assessment for hot surfaces now been reviewed and updated?
- 03Have the planned changes to the laundry area been completed?
- 04How are checks now made to ensure hot surface risks are included in safety audits?
- 05Which ratings for Effective, Caring and Responsive are being carried forward from the 2018 inspection?
This was a focused inspection of Safe and Well-led only; the ratings for Effective, Caring and Responsive carried over from the previous inspection in 2018. This explanation was written from the published report of 23 August 2023 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, August 2018
Rated Good; inspectors found kind, safe and personalised care, with some improvements still needed to the building and gardens.
This was an unannounced inspection on 25 July 2018. It was the first inspection since the current provider took over in July 2017. Inspectors spoke with people living there, visitors, staff and the manager. They also observed care and checked care plans, medicines records and quality checks.
The home was rated Good in all five areas: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. People said they felt safe and well cared for. Staff were described as kind and respectful. Care plans reflected people's needs, choices and routines, and people were supported with food, health care, activities and independence.
Inspectors found some environmental issues. The downstairs bathroom was also being used as a hairdressing salon and for storage, and parts of the garden were uneven or not inviting. The manager said these points would be addressed. Some documents were also difficult to read, and staff files were held by the provider rather than at the home.
Kind and respectful staff
People said staff were kind, friendly and compassionate. Inspectors saw staff listening carefully and offering comfort.
“Throughout the day we saw staff spoke with people in a kind and friendly manner.” from the report
People felt safe
People and visitors said they felt safe. Inspectors found adequate staffing, safe medicines practice and systems to reduce risks.
“People felt safe at the home and with the staff who supported them.” from the report
Personalised support
Care plans included people's likes, dislikes, routines and interests. Staff supported independence and respected people's choices.
“Care plans gave information about people's likes, dislikes and lifestyle choices to make sure staff were able to provide person centred care.” from the report
Good management and listening
The manager and provider monitored quality and acted on suggestions where possible. People and staff reported positive changes since the new provider took over.
“The provider actively sought people's views and responded to suggestions made.” from the report
Downstairs bathroom
needs fixingThe only ground-floor bathroom was also being used as a hairdressing salon and for storage. This meant it did not provide a relaxing bathing environment at the time of inspection.
“The downstairs bathroom was also used as a hairdressing salon and had a number of chairs in.” from the report
Gardens
needs fixingThe gardens were not well maintained, had no sign to the back garden and included uneven areas. The manager said more parasols would be ordered after the inspection.
“The garden areas were not well maintained and so not all areas were inviting for people.” from the report
Information was hard to read
minorThe complaints policy and activities calendar were printed in small black text. Inspectors said they might not be easy for everyone to read.
“However, the complaints policy and activities calendar were in quite small black print and may not be easy for everyone to read.” from the report
Staff files were not held at the home
needs fixingStaff files were held by the provider and were not available at the home during the inspection. The manager had an action point to move copies to the home.
“At the time of the inspection staff files were not available at the home but were held by the provider.” from the report
- 01Has the downstairs bathroom now been cleared and redecorated, and is it used only as a bathroom?
- 02What work has been done to make the gardens safer, more even and easier to find?
- 03Are the complaints policy and activities calendar now available in formats that are easier for residents to read?
- 04Are copies of all staff files now held at the home?
- 05How are people's suggestions recorded and followed up today?
This was an unannounced inspection of the overall service, including all five CQC questions, care practices, records, medicines and quality monitoring. This explanation was written from the published report of 3 August 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 Laurels
2 rated inspections over 5 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- August 2023Goodcurrent ratingstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- August 2018GoodSafe: GoodWell-led: Good
- July 2017
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 6 July 2017.
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
How to read CQC ratings and reports
What to check when you visit
76 live-in carers within about two hours of 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 £1,020 to £1,370 a week. 62 can care for a couple. 12 years' experience on average.
“She looked after my mum, who can be incredibly challenging, so well and so gently, and we always felt confident that my mum was getting the best care available.”
“She was not phased by anything, she was adaptable, kind & gave us complete confidence to go away & not worry about a thing!”
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.