Care home to remain in special measures - watchdog

A nursing home is to remain in special measures after a second inspection by the health watchdog in the space of four months again deemed it inadequate.

Following an inspection at Beechwood Care Home in Northallerton in June, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) renewed the inadequate rating it had first given the home earlier this year.

Inspectors from the CQC highlighted concerns over medicine management, fire safety and inspection control at Beechwood.

A spokesperson for the facility, which is run by Premier Nursing Homes Limited, said improvements had been made since the previous inspection and they were "disappointed" by the CQC's latest assessment.

Beechwood Care Home provides support to older people, including those living with dementia, according to the CQC.

A total of 36 people were living at the home during the latest inspection which was arranged to follow up on concerns raised at a previous inspection in December and February.

The CQC said the re-inspection found the service remained in breach of regulations relating to safe care and treatment, medicines management and management of the service.

Despite "some positive changes" made by an interim manager since the previous inspection, Alison Chilton, the CQC's deputy director of adult social care in the north east, said they were not being made quickly enough and "significant concerns" remained.

"People didn't always get the care and support they needed," Chilton said.

"Staff didn't always notice when people needed help with eating and drinking or respond when people asked for assistance on the nursing unit.

"We also saw people spending long periods without activities or meaningful interaction."

Chilton said problems with infection prevention and fire safety at the site had not been addressed by the home's leadership.

However, she added: "People and their relatives told us staff were kind and caring, and we saw many compassionate interactions throughout the home.

"Staff clearly wanted to provide good care, but they weren't always supported by effective leadership or systems that helped them deliver safe and consistent care."

Chilton said the home would be monitored "closely" to ensure the safety of residents.

A spokesperson for Beechwood Care Home said it was "encouraging to see" that improvements had been recognised in the report.

They added: "However, we are disappointed by the CQC's assessment and acknowledge the need for further, significant changes to ensure the high standards of care we, our residents, and their relatives rightly expect.

"We are continuing to implement our improvement plan and are committed to making sustained progress in the areas identified by inspectors.

"We welcome the positive feedback from residents and relatives included in the report and would like to reassure them of our ongoing commitment to providing a safe, comfortable and caring home."

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