CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at The Laurels
Rated Requires improvement: inspectors found the home was not performing as well as it should and told it what to change.
What inspectors found, September 2018
The Laurels was rated Good in every area; inspectors found kind, personalised care and no serious risks, with a medicines fridge recording issue to address.
This was an unannounced, comprehensive inspection on 31 July 2018. One inspector spoke with managers, care workers and relatives, observed how staff supported people, and reviewed care records, medicines, training, recruitment and service records. People living at the home were not able to discuss their care directly with the inspector.
The inspectors found that people received safe, effective and caring support. Staff knew people's communication needs, abilities and preferences. Care plans were detailed and regularly reviewed. Medicines were administered safely, staffing levels were sufficient, and people were supported with health appointments, food, activities and family relationships.
The home was rated Good for Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. This was the same overall rating as the previous inspection in October 2015. The report says there was no evidence of serious risks or concerns.
Kind and respectful staff
Staff knew people well and treated them with dignity. Inspectors saw people looking relaxed and comfortable with staff.
“Throughout our inspection, we observed and heard a lot of kind interactions between people and staff.” from the report
Personalised support
Care plans included people's needs, preferences, communication methods and important relationships. Staff adapted support when people's plans or wishes changed.
“The support provided by staff was person centred and focused on their individual care and support requirements.” from the report
Activities and independence
People were supported to take part in activities and maintain hobbies in the home and community. The report gives examples including horse riding, swimming, art and individual holidays.
“People had the opportunity to participate in a range of activities both in the service and in the community.” from the report
Stable and supportive team
The home had an established staff team, with staff who knew people well. Staff reported receiving training, supervision and support from the manager.
“People were supported by an established staff team who knew them well.” from the report
Good family involvement
Relatives were welcomed, involved in care reviews and asked for their views about the service.
“Relatives told us they could visit the service at any time and were made welcome.” from the report
Medicines fridge temperature record
needs fixingThe recorded temperature of the medicines fridge was above the safe storage level. The manager said this was caused by a problem with the recording equipment and said it would be addressed promptly.
“We raised a concern with the registered manager about the maximum temperature of the fridge used to store medicines” from the report
- 01What action was taken to fix the medicines fridge recording equipment, and how are fridge temperatures now checked?
- 02What is the current position of any Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards applications that had been delayed?
- 03How will you make sure my relative's care plan is reviewed with us and updated when their needs or preferences change?
- 04Which activities and community opportunities would be available for my relative, and how would you support their choices?
- 05How do you check that staff remain trained and competent to support the people living here?
This was an unannounced comprehensive inspection covering all five key questions, and the ratings remained Good from the October 2015 inspection. This explanation was written from the published report of 7 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 Laurels
2 rated inspections over 3 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- September 2018Goodcurrent ratingstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- January 2016GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- February 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- March 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- March 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- December 2010
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 30 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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23 live-in carers within about an hour of Suffolk
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. 17 can care for a couple. 7 years' experience on average.
“Not only was she professional, polite and efficient but she bought a lovely smile and laughter to my parents home.”
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.