Care home criticised over record keeping

SANDON House, Mossley

A NURSING home in Mossley was told it requires improvement after inspectors found breaches of the Health and Social Care Act.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) found "a lack of accurate records" for residents at Sandon House, based in Market Street.

The home, which is run by Meridian Healthcare Limited, provides nursing or personal care for adults over 65, including those with dementia.

A spokesman said Sandon House has worked closely alongside the health regulator to address its concerns and stressed that the health, safety and wellbeing of those in its care was of the highest importance.

The CQC said in their report: "We found two breaches of the Health and Social Care Act. There was a lack of accurate records in relation to the care people received and the provider's systems of checks and audits was not sufficiently robust.

"The lack of records meant we could not be sure people had received the care and support they needed. Staff received training to administer medicines and medicines were stored safely and securely.

"However, we found one person had not received their medicine as prescribed for 14 days and action had not been taken to identity the cause and rectify the issue."

Inspectors also found the electrical and fire alarm system were not in full working order, and that Sandon House had "failed to access, monitor and improve the quality and safety" of its services.

The report was published in relation to an unannounced inspection on April 26 and May 2.

Sandon House said that they had since implemented "a robust auditing system" and had enhanced the home's fire detection system in line with the CQC's feedback.

The new manager at the home, who had been there for eight weeks at the time of the inspection, was described by inspectors as "open, confident, enthusiastic and committed to providing a person-centred service."

A spokesman for Sandon House said: "Nothing is more important to us than the health, safety and wellbeing of the people we support.

"We were pleased to receive positive comments from the CQC about the caring and responsive nature of our staff and acknowledge that there were areas where improvements were needed.

"We take all feedback from the health regulator very seriously and since the inspection, the team have worked closely with the regulator to address its concerns.

"This has included implementing a robust auditing system and enhancing the home's fire detection system in line with the CQC's feedback.

"We look forward to welcoming the CQC back to show them the positive progress we have been making."