Changes needed at care home

AN Oldham care home has said it is "striving for improvement" following an inspection by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

Anbridge Care Home, on Herbert Street, was rated as "requires improvement" in safety, responsiveness and leadership categories.

The home, which provides accommodation and personal care for up to 20 people, was also rated as "good" in effectiveness and care.

Two breaches of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 were identified during the unannounced visit, including a failure to carry out an initial needs assessment for a person.

The report stated: "Care records reviewed included detailed risk assessments to mitigate risks associated with falls, moving and handling, pressure relief and nutrition, with clear plans in place to show how to minimise the risk.

"However no financial risk assessments was in place for one person to ensure that they were protected from the risk of potential financial abuse, as he had capacity to withdraw money from a cash point."

However, inspectors added that they found the home to be well maintained, clean, tidy and odour free.

Staff were also praised for being attentive to people's needs and developing a good working relationship with other health care professionals.

The report also quoted one relative of a resident who said: "There's nothing they wouldn't do for [person], it's the next best thing to home, I have no worries leaving [person] here.''

A variety of activities were also on offer and the home had an "open and friendly atmosphere".

Charles Jones, owner and manager of the home, said: "We were disappointed to have received the most recent inspection report rating as each year we strive to improve the quality of the service we offer.

"We focus on providing good quality care for our residents and have developed an excellent reputation in Oldham as we put our heart and soul into what we do.

"Changes to the CQC inspections mean that we have to be 100 per cent perfect, 100 per cent of the time, with our records and we have now hired an administrator to ensure that our documents are always in order."