Hayling care home told to improve to keep residents safe

The government Care Quality Commission (CQC) carried out an unannounced inspection at Blossom House, on Hayling Island – formally Pear Tree Lodge – two years after three members of staff were convicted of falsifying records of a resident who was badly scalded when she was being showered. There was no suggestion the victim was deliberately mistreated but staff admitted not calling a nurse then trying to cover their tracks.

Inspectors found Blossom House – which looks after 328 elderly people – to be ‘homely, happy and informal’ but that management style was informal and lacked structure.

They asked five questions of the service provided – whether it is safe, well led, caring, responsive and effective.

All categories were deemed to require improvement – the second-lowest rating – although not serious enough to take urgent action at the home.

They found:

n Risk assessments were in place but were not always up to date and followed.

n Staff skills and knowledge were not kept up to date by timely and relevant training.

n Staff were not well supported through supervision and appraisal, but informal support was available.

n People did not always receive care responsive to their needs.

n Care plans and assessments were not always complete and kept up to date when their needs changed.

n People’s privacy and dignity were not always respected when they had a visit from a healthcare professional and some were treated in the shared lounge, behind a screen, because they did not want to be moved.

n Some residents wore other people’s clothes because the laundry was put in the wrong wardrobes.

But it highlighted good points, including residents’ healthy diet, and found:

n Staff engaged with people in a caring way and took time to engage with them and were attentive to their needs.

n Staff encouraged people to be involved in decisions about their care and support.

Relatives told inspectors they felt their loved ones were happy and safe in the home and staff were kind.

A spokesman for Blossom House, in Beech Grove, said: ‘We have studied the report by the Care Quality Commission which was carried out in January 2015. Since then we have carefully dealt with each of the issues they raised.

‘It should be noted that no enforcement action was demanded and that the CQC described Blossom House as homely and happy.

‘We look forward with confidence to the next inspection that will reflect the dedication, professionalism and caring qualities of our staff.’