Woodland Grove
Loughton, IG10 · 0.0 km
NursingDementia
Rated 3 years agocare home
CQC report explained · a residential care home
Loughton Hall
Rectory Lane, Loughton, IG10 3RU
Requires improvementpublished 6 February 2024, 2 years ago
Rated Requires improvement: inspectors found the service was not performing as well as it should and told it what to change.
The five questions inspectors ask
- Safe?
- Requires improvement
- People were not always supported to receive medicines safely. Other safety arrangements, including risk assessments, safeguarding, staffing and fire procedures, had improved.
- Effective?
- Good
- Staff training and supervision had improved. Care plans reflected people's needs, and people were supported with food, drink, healthcare and choices.
- Caring?
- Good
- This question was not rated in this inspection report.
- Responsive?
- Good
- This question was not rated in this inspection report.
- Well-led?
- Requires improvement
- Governance and audit arrangements had improved, but senior staff had not identified medicine errors through their checks. The home remained in breach of the good governance regulation.
The latest report, explained
What inspectors found, February 2024
Rated Requires Improvement; inspectors found unsafe medicines management despite improvements in staffing, training and risk assessments.
Inspectors made two unannounced visits in December 2023. They spoke with people living in the home, relatives and staff. They reviewed care, medicine and staff records and observed how care was provided.
The home had enough staff and recruitment checks had improved. Risk assessments, safeguarding, staff training and support had also improved. People were supported to make choices, and their care plans generally gave staff clear guidance.
The main problem was medicines. Inspectors found unexplained gaps in medicine records and a concern that senior staff had not identified. This meant people were at risk of not receiving medicines safely or as prescribed.
The overall rating remains Requires Improvement. Safe and well-led were rated Requires Improvement, while effective improved to Good. The home remained in breach of regulations about safe care and treatment and good governance.
What inspectors praised
Enough staff
Inspectors found enough suitable staff to meet people's needs. Recruitment checks had improved since the previous inspection.
“The provider ensured there were sufficient numbers of suitable staff to meet people's needs.” from the report
Better staff training
Staff had received relevant training or were on track to complete it. Staff also received supervision and said they felt supported.
“Oversight in relation to training had improved and staff had now either received training relevant to their role or on track to complete training” from the report
Improved risk checks
Risk assessments contained clearer guidance, and environmental safety checks had improved. Fire drills and emergency plans were also being completed more consistently.
“Risks assessments had improved and contained information to guide staff to support people safely.” from the report
People's choices
The home was working in line with the Mental Capacity Act. Assessments and best-interest decisions were in place for restrictions such as bed rails and alert mats.
“People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives” from the report
What inspectors were concerned about
Medicine errors and gaps
seriousInspectors found unexplained gaps in medicine administration records and a medicine concern that senior staff had not identified. This created a risk that people would not receive medicines safely or as prescribed.
“Systems were not effective at ensuring people consistently received their medicines safely or as prescribed. This placed people at risk of harm.” from the report
Weak medicine oversight
seriousDaily checks and audits had not identified the problems found during the inspection. The provider remained in breach of the good governance regulation.
“The provider's failed to keep effective oversight of medicines processes.” from the report
Some environmental repairs
needs fixingSome bathroom and toilet floors still needed work to stop dirt and grime building up. A relative also reported an unresolved bedroom leak, which the manager followed up.
“However, more work was needed to further improve the environment.” from the report
Inconsistent mealtime support
minorOne of two observed lunchtime experiences was positive, but staff were less interactive on the other occasion. The manager said work was under way to improve consistency.
“The registered manager told us they were currently working with staff in this area to improve consistency.” from the report
Questions to ask them, based on this report
- 01What exactly caused the unexplained gaps in medicine records, and how will you check that each person receives medicines as prescribed?
- 02How often are medicine audits now completed, who reviews them, and what happens when an error is found?
- 03What further medicine training and senior staff competency checks have been completed since the inspection?
- 04Which bathroom, toilet and bedroom repairs are still outstanding, and when will they be finished?
- 05How are you making support during meals more consistent for people who need help or encouragement?
This inspection checked whether earlier legal requirements were being met and rated Safe, Effective and Well-led; Caring and Responsive were not rated in the report. This explanation was written from the published report of 6 February 2024 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.
The story over the years
Every inspection of Loughton Hall
7 rated inspections over 8 years: the service has held its Requires improvement rating throughout.
- February 2024Requires improvementcurrent ratingstayed Requires improvementSafe: Requires improvementEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Requires improvement
- June 2023Requires improvementstayed Requires improvementSafe: Requires improvementEffective: Requires improvementWell-led: Inadequate
- August 2022Requires improvementstayed Requires improvementSafe: Requires improvementWell-led: Requires improvement
- June 2021Requires improvementdown from GoodSafe: Requires improvementEffective: GoodWell-led: Requires improvement
- September 2019Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- September 2017Goodup from Requires improvementSafe: Requires improvementEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- July 2016Requires improvementSafe: Requires improvementEffective: Requires improvementCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Requires improvement
- November 2019
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 6 November 2019.
Ratings and report dates from the Care Quality Commission. A service can also be visited without a new rating being published, so the timeline shows published inspections, not every contact the CQC has had with the service.
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