A care home has been removed from special measures – but has been told it must improve further due to under-trained staff and poor medicine management.
The Downham Grange home, based on Clackclose Road, has been handed a ‘requires improvement’ rating following a Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspection.
It was rated ‘good’ when it came to being effective, caring and responsive – but needs improvement for being safe and well-led. The service had been in special measures since June 2023.
Downham Grange has been removed from special measures – but still requires improvement. Picture: Google Maps
It provides residential and nursing support to adults of all ages and some people living with dementia, and can accommodate up to 63 people. At the time of the inspection between May and June, there were 38 living there.
“We found that people’s medicines were not always well managed, and not all staff were fully trained to meet people’s individual needs,” a CQC report said.
“There were inconsistencies in people’s care records and we identified shortfalls in the governance oversight and the systems in place.
“The provider was in breach of the legal regulations relating to safe care and treatment, safe and effective staffing and good governance.”
The report added: “However, people lived in a purpose-built home that was clean and environmentally safe.
“They were actively involved with the community and there were a range of activities for people to participate in or they were supported to carry out their own daily activities. A variety of nutritious meals and snacks were provided daily.
“We received positive feedback from people, their relatives and healthcare professionals that visited the service about the staff and management being kind and caring and this aligned with our findings from being in the service.
“The provider was proactive throughout the inspection in addressing the shortfalls we had identified.
“The provider demonstrated improvements had been made in most areas. The service is no longer rated as inadequate overall or in any of the key questions. Therefore, this service is no longer in special measures.”
Inspectors received a “mixed response” on staffing levels within Downham Grange.
Some people felt the service could do with more staff – especially on a weekend, when bosses “could not always locate staff”.