CQC says care home has improved standards
● A RUNCORN care home placed in special measures and graded ‘inadequate’ a year ago is celebrating after inspectors reported a turnaround in its performance.
St Luke’s on Palacefields Avenue was slated last year when the Care Quality Commission (CQC) discovered several breaches of the Health And Social Care Act.
After a return visit and inspection it has upped its rating to ‘good’ in all areas.
The home specialises in Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia care, and has accommodation for 56 clients.
It is managed by Widnes-based Community Integrated Care (CIC).
When inspectors visited last year, the home’s registered manager was on leave and subsequently resigned.
The manager has since been replaced.
The CQC reported that the home was no longer in breach of care regulations and that clients and relatives had a ‘positive attitude’ towards it, and ‘acknowledged improvements since the registered manager had commenced working’.
Risks and medicines were man- aged properly and ‘ people were treated with respect, consideration and kindness’.
The watchdog added that residents had ‘a varied recreational and leisure activity programme’.
A CIC spokesman said the St Luke’s team has worked ‘incredibly hard’ to improve its performance, which has resulted in it leapfrogging the ‘requires improvement’ rating up to ‘good’.
Caroline Broughall, CIC regional manager, said: “The success of this report is a direct result of everybody at St Luke’s efforts, hard work and dedication.
“The staff have been an asset to both our team and our organisation.
“It’s been a positive journey and one that has made positive working relations with Halton council.”
Mark Adams, CIC chief executive, said: “This great news paves the way for all of our services, with our new strategic direction stating the need for all of our care homes to be rated by the CQC as ‘good’ or ‘outstanding’.
“With this fantastic double jump, it really demonstrates that we truly can deliver on our ambitious strategy.” ●