Shropshire care homes concern after watchdog visit

Legrand Nursing Home near Whitchurch and Woodcote Hall near Telford are among 13 homes and homecare agencies which have been rated as "requires improvement" by the Care Quality Commission.

Legrand Nursing Home, which was inspected in February, provides accommodation and personal care for adults who require nursing care and who may have a dementia-related illness for a maximum of 38 people.

The report has highlighted issues with assessments and monitoring of medicines. "People told us that they felt safe and free from the potential risk of abuse," the report said.

"People received their medicines as prescribed and at the correct time. However, we found systems and processes needed to be improved.

"Staff had not monitored the amount of medicines used where people required medicines as needed.

"Assessments of people's capacity to consent and records of decisions had not been completed in their best interests.

"The provider could not show how people gave their consent to care and treatment or how they made decisions in the person's best interests.

"People told us and we saw that their privacy and dignity were respected and staff were kind to them.

"The provider had not reviewed or responded to all concerns raised. They had not used the information to learn and improve the service."

Bosses of the home today said they were addressing the issues highlighted in the report.

Woodcote Hall, which was inspected in December, provides accommodation, nursing and personal care for up to 56 older people with a range of needs.

The report has highlighted that staffing levels were an issue. "Everyone we spoke with told us more staff were needed," the report said.

"People considered the service was not always responsive to their individual needs due to staffing levels. There were delays in staff responding to call bells.

"People did not always receive the care they needed to minimise the risk of skin damage.

"Staff had received training to keep people safe and knew their responsibility to protect people from harm or potential abuse.

Andrea Gamble, director of operations at the Select Healthcare Group, which runs the home, said: "Much has been done over the last four months to ensure we are providing a safe, quality service to all our residents.

"The home has been working closely with CQC and the local authority whilst addressing the concerns and we are confident that all the issues have now been fully addressed and that when the home is re-inspected it will be fully compliant."