The Laleham

The Laleham is a residential care home providing support for up to 60 individuals, some of whom live with dementia. This recent inspection report from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) provides an overview of the service's performance across key areas, reflecting on previous findings and identifying ongoing areas for development to ensure the best possible outcomes for residents. The report highlights feedback from residents and their families, noting that while many are happy with the support received, some critical improvements identified at the last inspection have not yet been fully addressed.

Regarding safety, the report indicates that while improvements have been made in areas like staffing and learning from incidents, there remain concerns. Specifically, the safe management of medicines and infection prevention and control practices were found to be not consistently effective, leading to a continued need for improvement in these aspects. Although environmental risks like unsecured radiators were identified and promptly rectified, ongoing vigilance in maintaining a safe living space for residents is highlighted.

In terms of how effective the care is, the service has made progress in ensuring care plans are more person-centred and regularly reviewed. However, the transition to a new electronic care planning system means that current care plans and risk assessments may not always contain the necessary detail for staff to provide the most informed support. Improvements are also noted as needed in residents' access to dental care and oral hygiene routines.

When it comes to how caring the service is, residents and their families generally provided positive feedback about the staff and the support they receive. The report notes that staff possess the necessary skills and knowledge, and there is confidence in their ability to protect residents from abuse. Staff also feel engaged and supported within the service.

Concerning how responsive the service is, the report indicates that residents are involved in their care assessments and reviews. When needs change, staff are reported to be proactive in arranging appointments with healthcare professionals, ensuring residents receive timely access to necessary services. However, challenges remain in ensuring consistent oral care and access to dental services for all residents.

Finally, regarding how well-led the service is, the report acknowledges positive changes in the service's culture attributed to the registered manager, leading to smoother operations and better teamwork. While staff feel engaged and supported, the report points to a need for better auditing and checks in key areas to ensure consistent implementation of policies and to identify and address issues proactively, particularly concerning infection control and medicine management. The service is in the process of updating its facilities to be more dementia-friendly.