Staffordshire care home told it 'requires improvement' after CQC inspection

A North Staffordshire care home has said it has an action plan in place after it was told by a regulator it required improvement.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) gave Compassionate Lodge an overall rating of requires improvement, with assessment areas covering safety and leadership receiving the same grade.

The care home in Draycott was rated good for effectiveness, caring and responsiveness however. And residents said they were happy living there and felt supported by staff.

A spokesperson for operator Compassionate Healthcare Ltd said: “Compassionate Lodge acknowledges the Care Quality Commission’s recent inspection and rating. We took part in the CQC’s formal factual accuracy process to ensure all relevant evidence was considered.

“The safety, dignity and quality of care of the people we support remain our priority. We have a clear action plan in place and continue to work openly with the CQC and local partners to deliver sustained improvement.”

The CQC inspection report, which has recently been published, said: “The provider did not always identify and manage environmental risks effectively, which placed people at risk of harm and lessons had not always been learned from past incidents. There were enough trained staff to meet people’s needs.

“Governance and oversight systems were not always effective in identifying and addressing environmental safety risks or ensuring learning from incidents was fully embedded. While the provider took prompt action when concerns were highlighted, improvements were needed to strengthen quality assurance processes and ensure risks were consistently identified, managed and learned from.”

But the home’s management was described as “approachable and promoted a positive, inclusive and person-centred culture” and “staff, people and relatives felt listened to and valued”, the report said.

It added: “Medicines were managed safely. People, relatives, staff and professionals all spoke positively about the service’s approach to raising concerns and keeping people safe.

“People’s needs were regularly assessed and reviewed and care was person-centred. Staff understood people’s needs and were kept up to date on any changes.

“People had detailed, individualised care plans and staff understood people well. Staff promoted people’s independence and encouraged them to participate in meaningful activities.”