Larchfield House

The following is CQC's published account of its assessment, published 22 May 2025. References to “we” mean CQC. It describes findings at that time.

Date of assessment 6 March to 14 March 2025. We visited the service on 6 March 2025. Larchfield House provides purpose-built accommodation and personal care with nursing to 96 people in 6 separate units, known as communities. The home provides a service to older people including people living with dementia. At the time of our inspection there were 95 people using the service. This was a responsive assessment due to concerns we received in relation to possible institutional abuse and staff recruitment. We did not find any evidence of this during our assessment.

During this assessment, we found in one of the units, the staff seemed unsure how to support a person who was displaying agitation. We also found the care plan of a person living with diabetes lacked detail, and there were some minor shortfalls in relation to mental health care plans which sometimes lacked detail. Following feedback, the provider told us they would address this without delay.

People received their medicines safely and as prescribed, and staff received training in medicines management. Processes to help ensure that risks to people were assessed and mitigated were effective. Staffing levels were overall adequate to meet people’s needs. The provider used a dependency tool to help ensure there were always enough staff to meet people’s changing needs.

There were good systems to protect people from the risk of infection and cross contamination and staff followed good practice. There were systems in place for the safe recruitment of staff. Overall, people were cared for by staff who were kind and caring and knew them well. The home was clean, fresh and well-maintained. The home was developed to meet the needs of the people who used the service, including those living with dementia. There was a range of activities available for people and these were person-centred. People and their relatives were involved in their pre-admission assessment, care planning and the management of individual risks. Staff received regular training and had their competencies checked. People’s end of life wishes had been considered and documented. Staff spoke favourably of the management team and felt listened to and consulted.