North Shropshire nursing home is told by regulator it must improve

Inspectors from the watchdog visited the nursing home, which provides personal care and support to older people - some of whom have extra nursing needs or dementia - in January.

A report found the nursing home to be 'good' for being 'effective' , 'caring' and 'responsive'. However, both the 'safe' and 'well-led' categories have been deemed to require improvement.

The CQC said it has asked the provider for an action plan in response to concerns that have been raised from the assessment.

Whitchurch-based company Springcare, which provides care services at the nursing home and at others across the county, said it is "disappointed" with the report and "remains committed" to improving ahead of the next inspection.

The report comes seven years after the nursing home was told to improve in 2018.

The report said: "Risk assessments were not always up to date and consistent. Environmental risks were not always addressed in a timely manner which placed people at risk of harm.

"Clinical risk monitoring was not always robust, but staff were proactive in escalating concerns so people received the care they needed. Staff had the right skills and qualifications to meet people’s needs but there were insufficient staff at night to ensure people’s safety in an emergency.

"Medicines were stored safely but some gaps in medicine administration records (MARs) had not been picked up. Mental capacity assessments and best interests’ meetings had not always been completed when needed which meant the provider could not be assured lawful decisions were being made.

"Quality checks were not always sufficiently robust to ensure concerns were identified and action taken to reduce the risk of reoccurrence. Staff did not always feel heard by leaders but were confident any concerns regarding people living at the home would be responded to.

"People felt safe and were happy living at the home. People were supported by staff and leaders who were person-centred and treated them with kindness and compassion. Managers ensured staff received training and regular supervision and appraisals to ensure they were skilled and knowledgeable to meet people’s needs. People were given choice and opportunity, and proportionate risks were taken to enable people to engage in activities they enjoyed.

"The provider was in breach of regulation in relation to the governance of the service due to systems in place not being sufficiently robust to ensure adequate oversight. We have asked the provider for an action plan in response to the concerns found at the assessment."

Despite criticisms, the CQC said residents and relatives were "overwhelmingly positive" about their care and told inspectors that they felt safe.

It added that residents said they received care from staff who are "kind and caring".

A spokesperson for Springcare said: "Whilst we are disappointed with the overall report for Beech House as a company, we remain committed to improving our performance to ensure compliance at the next Inspection.

"We have provided CQC with an action plan which we have now completed and continue to monitor the standards in our home.

"It is always our aim to provide a safe and caring home for our residents to reside in."