Care homes rated good by watchdog

THREE Oldham care homes are celebrating after being rated highly by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

Following a recent inspection, Franklin House was given a grade of "good" and inspectors noted improvements had been made over the past two years.

The home, in Franklin Street, was rated as "good" in all areas and inspectors found it to be compliant with all inspected regulations.

The CQC report stated: "People told us the staff were kind and our observations confirmed this. Care plans were 'person-centred' and were reviewed regularly.

"Through talking to staff and relatives we found that people were treated as individuals and that staff really knew each person and responded to their needs in a caring way."

Inspectors also added that people were supported to maintain good health and checks and audits were in place to maintain high quality care.

The report continued: "We observed a calm and happy atmosphere in the home with staff working well together as a team."

Treetops Nursing Home, on Carthage Street, was also rated as "good" overall in following their CQC inspection.

The report said: "Care records were personalised and provided good information about the care people required.

"We found care plans had been reviewed and updated regularly."

The home, which had 29 people using the service at the time of the inspection, was rated as "good" in every category except safety, where it was deemed to "require improvement".

Inspectors found one breach of the Health and Social Care Act due to a lack of robust system to ensure the safe administration of medicines and the home were urged to address this.

The report added that there was a timetable of activities for residents and people were supported to access local facilities and resources.

Longwood Lodge Care Home was also praised by inspectors, rated as "good" overall and in all but one inspection category.

The home, in Queens Road, was found to be clean and well-maintained and staff recruitment followed appropriate procedures.

The report said: "A relative we spoke with said 'I thought the previous home was very good till I found this one. What has made it better is there are more carers here and the manager mixes with residents, feeding them. This gives me confidence'."

However, the inspection also found one area for improvement after inspectors found a failure to put appropriate Deprivation of Liberty Safeguardsauthorisations in place for some residents when it was in their best interests.

Inspectors who visited the home praised the staff for the way they cared for residents and the "calm atmosphere" at Longwood Lodge.

The report added:" We observed how staff interacted with people who

used the service and saw that they were patient and kind and spoke politely to people.

"Staff we spoke with were able to give examples of how they would treat people with dignity and respect, for example when carrying out personal care."