Aspects of care at Nynehead Court have been graded as ‘requiring improvement’ after the latest unannounced inspection by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) on 31st October 2018.
The CQC Inspectors’ report, published on 28 December 2018, found that Nynehead Court was rated as ‘Requires improvement’ in findings related to three key questions: ‘Is the service safe?’, Is the service responsive? and ‘Is the service well led?’ The outcome of two further questions – ‘Is the service effective?’ and ‘Is the service caring?’ – rated Nynehead Court as ‘Good’.
The CQC report said, “We last inspected Nynehead Court in December 2017. During that inspection we found people’s legal rights were not always understood and upheld because the service did not work in accordance with the Mental Capacity Act 2005. We also found medicines were not always managed safely and the governance systems were not fully effective.
“Following the last inspection, we asked the provider to complete an action plan to show what they would do and by when to improve the key questions safe, effective and well led to at least good. During this inspection we found that improvements had been made in some areas, however we found some concerns which resulted in continued breaches in two of the regulations.
“Whilst we found some areas of medicines management had improved, there were still areas that required improvement. Risks to people were not always being identified and management plans put in place to mitigate any risks.
“Care plans lacked some specific details to guide staff on how to meet people’s needs and they were not consistently person centred. Staff however knew people well and were able to describe how they supported people.
“The systems in place to monitor the quality and safety of the service still required some improvement.”
Inspectors said they found two repeated breaches of he Health and Social Care Act and would be considering its actions.
The report also praised highlights at the home, including its caring staff members who receive regular training.
The care home says changes are already underway and families should feel reassured their loved ones are in good hands.
A spokesman for Nynehead Court said: “CQC inspectors performed an unannounced inspection at Nynehead Court.
“The management and staff of Nynehead Court take these inspections very seriously, and are naturally disappointed with the inspectors’ conclusion that certain aspects of our service require improvement.
“We were, however, encouraged that the inspection found that improvements have been made, and that it also judged the care provided at Nynehead Court and its effectiveness to be ‘good’.
“Work is already in progress to rectify the areas where the CQC inspectors felt improvements were required.
“We wish to reassure our residents and their families that we will continue to care for them to the same high standards that we always have.”
In summary the report’s finding are as follows:
Is the service safe?
Some aspects of the service were not safe.
Some aspects of people’s medicines management needed to be improved.
There were not always plans in place to reduce or mitigate risks to people.
There were sufficient staff to meet people’s needs. Staff were recruited safely.
People were supported by staff who knew how to recognise and report abuse.
People were protected from the risk of infection.
REQUIRES IMPROVEMENT
Is the service effective?
The service was effective.
Where some decisions were made for people in their best interest, these were not always completed in line with the Mental Capacity Act 2005.
People saw appropriate health care professionals to meet their specific needs.
People were supported to have enough to eat and drink. Our observation of people’s mealtime experience was positive.
Staff received appropriate training and support to undertake their role and meet people’s needs.
GOOD
Is the service caring?
The service was caring.
People and their relatives spoke highly of the staff supporting them.
People told us they were supported in a way that promoted their
Good
Is the service responsive?
Some aspects of the service were not responsive.
People’s care plans were not consistently person centred and detailed.
People had access to a wide range of activities to meet their needs.
Where concerns were raised these were responded to and addressed.
REQUIRES IMPROVEMENT
Is the service well-led?
Some aspects of the service were not well led.
The governance systems to monitor and improve the quality and safety of the service people received were not fully effective.
People were supported by staff who felt able to approach their managers.
The service had good links with the local community.
REQUIRES IMPROVEMENT
The full report can be found on the CQC website.