Concerns raised over care home

REQUIRES improvement . . . Firs Hall Care Home, Failsworth

HEALTH inspectors have told a Failsworth care home it "requires improvement" for the second time running.

While changes had been made at Firs Hall Care Home, concerns were raised over cleanliness, infection control and risk assessments.

Despite its overall "requires improvement" rating, Firs Hall was hailed as "good" in three of the five assessed categories: effective, caring and responsive.

This was an improvement on the previous inspection in 2015, in which four of five categories were rated as "requires improvement."

Since January, 2015, the home has been redecorated, the dining room enlarged and a new music room has been opened.

Inspectors said: "These rooms were attractively decorated. The home looked clean and the cleaning schedules were completed.

"Pressure-relieving mattresses and cushions were cleaned and checked every month.

"However, we found that several of the wheelchairs in use were dirty and stained.

"The registered manager told us that they had recently noticed this themselves and the cleaning of all equipment, such as hoists and wheelchairs, was to be added to the cleaning schedule.

"We found the outside environment was in need of maintenance. Both of the side areas looked neglected and did not provide a clean and pleasant environment for people to sit in.

"The registered manager told us there were plans to improve the outside environment of the home."

Inspectors discovered plastic bags on one of the paved areas and noted a "large number of cigarette ends" outside the front door.

However they said: "Positive efforts had been made to make parts of the home suitable for people with dementia.

Omissions

"Medicines were stored correctly and staff who administered medicines had received the appropriate training. However, we found there were some omissions in the recording of medicines administration.

"Risk assessments had been completed to show how people should be supported with everyday risks such to their mobility or nutrition.

"However, we found that where a risk had been identified and a plan put in place, this was not always followed fully, particularly in relation to risks to nutrition."

Nonetheless, people staying at the 21-room residential care home were encouraged to make their own choices relating to their care.

Residents were also "complimentary" about the "caring nature" of staff at the home.

The CQC report, released at the end of June, was based on a two-day visit in May this year.

Inspectors said: "People spoke positively about the registered manager, the support they received from them and the management of the home."

The Chronicle has approached Firs Hall Care Home Ltd for a response.