CQC report explained · a nursing home
What the CQC found at The Lawns Nursing Home
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- People were protected from avoidable harm, and risks, medicines, equipment and infection control were managed safely. Some people experienced delays when call bells were answered.
- Effective?
- Good
- People's needs and care plans were regularly reviewed. Staff had training, including manual handling, and people received suitable food, drink and access to healthcare.
- Caring?
- Good
- This key question was not inspected during this focused visit. Its previous rating was carried forward.
- Responsive?
- Good
- This key question was not inspected during this focused visit. Its previous rating was carried forward.
- Well-led?
- Good
- Inspectors found open leadership, regular meetings, strong quality checks and active involvement of people living at the home.
What inspectors found, November 2022
Rated Good overall; inspectors found safe, effective and well-led care, but some people waited for call bells to be answered.
This was an unannounced focused inspection on 4 and 5 October 2022. Inspectors spoke with 12 people, five relatives and staff, and reviewed care records, recruitment files and management checks.
The home was rated Good overall. Safe improved from Requires Improvement at the previous inspection to Good. Effective and Well-led remained Good. Inspectors found no evidence that the concerns leading to this inspection had put people at risk of harm.
People were supported with medicines, food, health care and moving safely. Staff had suitable training and knew people's care plans. Leadership was described as open, and the home used checks, feedback and meetings to improve care.
Some people experienced delays when using call bells. The manager recognised this, adjusted staffing and was changing care plans to help reduce waiting times. The inspection did not reassess Caring or Responsive, so those areas carried over from the previous inspection.
Safe medicines support
Medicines were administered, stored and disposed of safely. Records included photographs, allergy information and personalised instructions.
“Medicines were administered, stored and disposed of safely.” from the report
Skilled and supported staff
Staff completed induction and mandatory training, including manual handling. They also had mentoring, supervision and opportunities to gain qualifications.
“The provider's comprehensive training programme gave staff the opportunity to develop their skills and knowledge.” from the report
Food and nutrition
People were offered choices and food was adapted for their dietary needs. Staff encouraged people to eat and drink in line with their wishes.
“The lunchtime experience was positive and calm.” from the report
Healthcare access
People had timely access to healthcare professionals and equipment. Staff used referrals and handovers to respond to health needs.
“People had timely access to healthcare services and equipment when needed.” from the report
Open leadership
People, relatives and staff described approachable management. Meetings, audits and feedback were used to monitor and improve care.
“There was a positive and open leadership culture.” from the report
Call bell delays
needs fixingSome people waited for their call bells to be answered. The manager was reviewing staffing and care plans, but families should check whether waiting times have improved.
“Some people experienced delays for call bells to be answered.” from the report
Missing medicine signatures
minorAudits found missing signatures on two occasions. Management investigated and provided staff supervision to reduce the chance of this happening again.
“Medications audits had identified missing signatures on two occasions.” from the report
- 01How long are people currently waiting for call bells to be answered?
- 02What staffing changes and new care plan arrangements were introduced to reduce call bell waiting times?
- 03What action was taken after the two occasions when medicine signatures were missing?
- 04How are you checking that staff continue to follow medicines recording procedures?
- 05What were the previous ratings for Caring and Responsive, and when will these areas next be assessed?
This was a focused inspection of Safe, Effective and Well-led only; Caring and Responsive were not inspected and their previous ratings were carried forward. This explanation was written from the published report of 16 November 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, May 2020
Rated Good overall; inspectors found kind, effective care, but medicines management and some electrical safety checks required improvement.
Inspectors visited the home on 28 and 29 January 2020. They spoke with people living there, relatives and staff. They also observed care and checked care records, medicines records, staff files and management records.
People generally felt safe and were treated kindly. Inspectors found good care in the areas of effectiveness, kindness, meeting individual needs and management. The home was clean, staff understood people's needs, and activities and healthcare support were available.
The safe rating remained Requires Improvement. Medicines records and checks were not always reliable, and portable electrical equipment had not always been tested as required. The overall Good rating means the home met the expected standard overall, but some important improvements were still needed.
Kind care
People were cared for by staff who understood their wishes and care needs. Inspectors saw people relaxed with staff.
“People were cared for by kind and considerate staff who showed an understanding of their wishes and care needs.” from the report
Personalised support
Care plans covered individual needs, and staff knew how to respond to people's preferences and comfort.
“Care plans for people's individual needs such as wound management were up to date providing staff with the information about the persons support and care needs to ensure these were met.” from the report
Activities and interests
People could take part in different activities and events, including seasonal celebrations and gardening.
“People were able to engage in a range of interesting and fun activities and events.” from the report
End of life care
The home had end of life care plans and had received recognition for this area of care.
“The provider had obtained recognition for their end of life care.” from the report
Medicine records
seriousMedicine balances did not always match the records. Some doses were not signed for, and staff could not explain all the gaps. The new checks were not yet fully effective.
“There were also gaps on the records where staff had not always signed to evidence people had received their prescribed medicines.” from the report
Electrical safety checks
seriousPortable electrical items, including hairdryers, had not always received the annual testing required by the home's own procedure. The home later provided evidence that testing had taken place.
“Portable electrical appliances had not always received a test to ensure they were safe to use.” from the report
Staff presence in communal areas
minorOne relative was concerned about staff presence in the communal lounge and delays in answering call bells. Inspectors found that call bells were answered promptly, but asked the manager to monitor this.
“One relative commented on the lack of staff within the communal lounge throughout the day and delays in answering call bells.” from the report
Meal delays
minorSome people reported delays in receiving their meal and dessert. Inspectors raised this with the manager for review.
“Some people spoke of the delay in serving their meal and sweet.” from the report
- 01What changes have been made to medicine recording and checking since this inspection?
- 02How do you check that medicine balances, signatures and handwritten records are correct every day?
- 03How often is portable electrical equipment now tested, and how are overdue checks followed up?
- 04How do you make sure there is enough staff presence in communal areas throughout the day?
- 05What action was taken about reported delays in serving meals and desserts?
This was a planned inspection covering all five key questions, including the premises and care provided; the previous Requires Improvement ratings for Safe and Well-led were reviewed. This explanation was written from the published report of 27 May 2020 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 Lawns Nursing Home
4 rated inspections over 7 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- November 2022Goodcurrent ratingstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- May 2020Goodup from Requires improvementSafe: Requires improvementEffective: GoodWell-led: Good
- February 2019Requires improvementdown from GoodSafe: Requires improvementEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Requires improvement
- September 2015GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- December 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- October 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- January 2011
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 10 January 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.
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