Care home is ordered to improve for a third time
INSPECTORS SAY FAILINGS IN SOME AREAS PUT RESIDENTS AT RISK OF HARM
A CARE home has been ordered to improve for the third consecutive time after a watchdog found medicine and recruitment failings had put people ‘at risk of harm.’
Richard House, in Cale Green, Stockport, has again been rated as ‘requires improvement’ following an inspection by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
The Beech Road home, which provides care for up to 33 people aged over 65, was last rated as ‘good’ in May 2017.
The CQC’s most recent visit, in March this year, found ‘multiple and repeated breaches of regulations’ despite previously being told it must do better in 2020 and 2018.
And while a recently published inspection report notes that people at the home were ‘happy and felt cared for,’ there were also ‘multiple and repeated breaches of regulations.’ Officials found some aspects of the service were ‘not always safe’ and there was an ‘increased risk that people could be harmed.’
A key area of concern was the management and administration of medicines. Not enough improvement had been made since the last inspection and the home remained in breach of care regulations.
Recruitment was another area in which the home, run by Denmax Limited, was found wanting on safety grounds. “Robust recruitment procedures had not always been used and staff were not always recruited safely,” inspectors noted.
“We were not assured that the provider had carried out the necessary checks to ensure staff were suitable to work with people who may be vulnerable.”
Officials found that information was missing in two of the three staff files they reviewed.
Inspectors also found the home still ‘requires improvement’ in the ‘effective’ and ‘well led’ assessment areas. “Although we found some improvements had been made in some aspects of running the home, we found the required improvements from the last inspection had not always been implemented,” the report adds.
“Repeated shortfalls in environmental safety were identified. These included hot water checks, radiator safety, gas and electrical installation and fire safety.”
However, inspectors observed staff being attentive to residents during the inspection. People living at the home said they felt safe and there were sufficient staff around.
Staff training levels were also said to be ‘much improved since the last inspection’ and the home was no longer in breach of regulations.
However, inspectors were unable to confirm new staff had always received the necessary training.
Richard House was contacted for comment.
Robust recruitment procedures had not always been used and staff were not always recruited safely, CQC report