Care home that was put in special measures two-year-ago still needs to improve on safety, watchdog says

A care home in Middleton has managed to make improvements two years on from being put in special measures – but there are still safety issues.

Although Clare Mount was rated ‘requires improvement’ by the Care Quality Commission in their latest inspection, this is an upgrade on their previous visit from the watchdog which dubbed them ‘inadequate’ in all categories. The CQC found in November 2021 that communication was ‘poor’ and that oversight was not ‘robust’ enough to safeguard people from the risk of abuse.

The 2021 inspection also found that clothing was being shared between residents with ‘a distinct lack of underwear found in people’s rooms’ and care practices were said to ‘demonstrate a lack of respect for people’s individuality and dignity’.

Things have now changed at the Rochdale Road site, run by Rose Petals Health Care Ltd, which provides nursing and personal care for up to 29 people over 65 – including those with dementia, mental health conditions and sensory impairments.

Since that damning inspection report, a subsequent inspection in July 2022 found them to be ‘good’ in the categories of effectiveness; caring; and responsiveness. That report did highlight that the categories of safety and how well-led the service was still ‘required improvement’.

The latest inspection conducted by the CQC on January 11 found safety and leadership still needs to improve. The report, published in February 2024, highlighted that paperwork in relation to fire safety, works assessed as ‘high risk’, and electrical installations had not been completed. 

“Health and safety actions relating to fire safety, the electrical installation and the passenger lift required completion,” the report published on 13 February read. “Infection control checklists required further development and some areas of the home required refurbishment to promote infection control. 

“Audits were carried out by the nominated individual and the operations manager to monitor the quality and safety of the service. However, there had been a delay in starting some works assessed as high risk. 

“The provider was asked to provide an initial action plan following the inspection to inform us about when and how they would make the required improvements.”

The inspector did go on to praise the staffing levels in the home as well as the nurses knowledge on procedures regarding medicines and fire safety. The report even revealed that relatives of residents spoke positively about the home and staff. 

“They thought their loved ones were safe,” the report read.  “One said, ‘staff have been managing [the residents’] diabetes very well; they check their sugars. The staff are wonderful, nothing’s too much trouble and their whole attitude is friendly and caring’.”

Despite the positives at the home, the service management and leadership was found to be inconsistent. The leaders and the culture they created did not always support the delivery of high-quality, person-centred care, the CQC said.

The care provider has been contacted for comment.

George Lythgoe, Local Democracy Reporter