Report highlights concerns at home

ST. GEORGE'S nursing home, Moorside

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"SHORTFALLS" were found at a Moorside nursing home after an unannounced inspection was undertaken.

Concerns over safety, cleanliness and management led the Care Quality Commission (CQC) to rate St George's Nursing Home as 'Requires Improvement'.

However, the report included several positive comments on staffing levels, training and support provided by the manager.

A report published in December said: "We found shortfalls in the administration of medicines as policies and procedures for the safe storage, administration and recording of medicines were not always followed.

"We also found that some areas of the home were not kept satisfactorily clean and that hazardous substances were not always stored safely.

"The registered manager had addressed some of our concerns by the second day of the inspection.

"We found shortfalls in some aspects of the management of the service. Systems for monitoring the quality and safety of the service were not sufficiently robust to pick up some of the concerns we identified during the inspection.

"The registered manager was keen to address issues we identified as soon as possible.

Specialist

"They had made improvements in a number of areas and told us they planned to use the inspection outcome as a benchmark from which to continue to make improvements."

The inspection in October found two breaches of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 relating to safe care and treatment and good governance.

The home, which cares for up to 77 residents, is divided into six specialist units comprising those living with dementia, older and younger adults, as well as those with physical disabilities and mental health needs.

Good signage and a rehabilitation kitchen, hairdresser and old-fashioned sweet shop on site were said to support the needs of those living with dementia.

Staff were said to communicate with residents in "reassuring tones" and intervened quickly when people became upset.

Inspectors said: "We observed people interacting with staff with warmth and humour and they told us that they felt well cared for and that staff were nice. People's privacy and dignity was respected and promoted.

"Care plans were in place which contained person centred information."

Registered manager Cheryl Newsome said: "We welcomed the report because it gives us something to build on.

"Many of the issues were addressed immediately and we have got an action plan in place.

"We were really pleased with the fact that the caring side of it was highlighted and there were some really nice comments included.

"We are auditing things moving forward and making sure we are set to meet the requirements in the future.

"We are hoping that the improvements we have made will build on the good practices we are already implementing."