Staff in 'exceptional' turnaround at care home which was threatened with registration loss

Layden Court was rated as inadequate back in August but has now been assessed as good by the Care Quality Commission — an improvement which bosses called “exceptional”.

The home on All Hallows Drive, Maltby, which cares for older people, including some living with dementia, was placed in special measures by the CQC after inspectors discovered a “lack of robust infection prevention and control”, “poor management”, and staff who “weren’t clear about their roles and responsibilities” during inspections in May and June.

Inspectors found some but not enough improvements on unannounced visits last October and November during a “targeted inspection”.

On returning earlier this month, the CQC found the manager had “worked hard to make the required improvements”, the home was “clean and well-maintained”, and staff were “caring and kind”.

The commission changed its overall rating from inadequate to good, as well as good across all five key categories including “safe” and “well-led” — also all previously ranked as inadequate — after speaking to five residents, five relatives and 12 employees.

Inspectors were told there were enough staff on duty to meet needs and family members were “extremely happy”, with one adding: “Staff attitude is so much better, I am glad I kept (relative) here.”

New manager Rebecca Rudman was praised by one person, who said “she’s done a hell of a good job”, while a relative said “it was a big job, but she has managed it”.

Employees also acknowledged the “huge change”, with one saying: “I find working at Layden Court a joy again.”

Another felt “great pride and passion” working at “a beautiful home”, said the watchdog.

The CQC said some “minor improvements” were needed in medicines management and the environment, but these had been identified by the provider and were part of the “ongoing improvement plan”.

Head of operations Jill Andrew said she was “proud” of Ms Rudman and the team for embracing the improvements identified following the takeover of the service from Four Seasons Healthcare in December 2021.

While she was disappointed by the previous CQC rating, subsequent visits in October and November had “evidenced major improvements” and confirmed “the service is fully compliant with all sector legislation”, she said.

Ms Andrew added: “We have been supported in achieving the improvements by our families, our residents, our GP services, the local authority and the CQC, all of whom stood by the service and the new provider during a difficult but ultimately rewarding journey.”

Ms Andrew thanked staff for their “hard work and diligence”, adding: “I know everyone involved in this turnaround has been focused, professional, compassionate, and caring and the recognition by CQC of this hard work is evident within their good rating of the service in all five categories.

“I am delighted that CQC can see the care and support we deliver within the framework.

“To make the leap from ‘inadequate’ to ‘good’ is exceptional and we are all focused on maintaining these high standards for our residents going forward.”