Regulator demands immediate improvement at Blackpool care home
Regulator demands immediate improvement at Blackpool care home
The Care Quality Commission has issued a formal warning to Barchester Healthcare Homes Limited, registered provider of Glenroyd care home, Whitegate Drive in Blackpool, stating that it must make urgent improvements or face further action.
The warning follows an unannounced visit to the "Memory Lane" unit at Glenroyd on 1 May 2012 to follow up on a previous review of compliance.
The "Memory Lane" unit provides residential and nursing care for up to 31 people with dementia conditions.On inspection CQC reviewed a sample of care records and staff rotas, and also spoke to people using the service, their relatives and members of staff.
As a result inspectors found that the provider was failing to ensure safe practice in respect of staffing levels and have set a deadline by which improvements must be made.
During their visit inspectors found that there was an insufficient number of suitably qualified staff on duty to meet the specific needs all people using the service. Inspectors observed that the unit had been divided into two designated sections, one to cater for those with nursing needs, and the other for those with residential needs.
A review of staff rotas indicated times when there had been no qualified nurse on duty despite nine people specifically requiring nursing care. Records also showed that on several occasions there had been only one member of staff on duty in the residential section of the unit, which was occupied by ten residents.
In some cases this had been the result of staff absence due to sickness, however, inspectors found no evidence of any action being taken to ensure sufficient staff cover.
On three occasions staffing rotas showed that there had been no time allocated for a nurse handover between staff shifts. This raised concerns that staff may not have had the necessary information needed to provide the correct level of care.
In addition, staff had to be brought to the unit from other areas of the home to ensure that the five people requiring assistance at meal times were adequately supported.
Ann Ford, CQC Regional Head of Compliance for the North West, said:
"The law says that these are the standards that everyone should be able to expect. Providers have a duty to ensure they are compliant.
"This warning sends a clear and public message that Barchester Healthcare Homes Limited needs to address this issue as a matter of urgency or face serious consequences.
"Our inspectors will return to Glenroyd in the near future and if we find that the provider is not making the required progress we won't hesitate to use our legal powers to protect the people who use this service."
Since CQCs visit Barchester Healthcare Homes Limited has submitted an improvement plan outlining the steps they are taking to ensure that they are fully compliant with government standards.
June 22, 2012, 2:34 pm
