Good rating marks big turnaround at Shrewsbury care home

Last October, inspectors from the care Quality Commission visited Coton Hill House and found that staff failed to protect the dignity of the residents - some of whom are living with dementia.

But on a return visit in March, the inspectors found the home's care procedures have "improved significantly".

The home, on Berwick Road was fined £50,000 in September when a 78-year-old resident died after going without medication for a month.

There were 44 residents when inspectors visited this spring.

The inspectors they gave the home, which had previously had a rating of requiring improvement, a good rating in all areas except in being well run, where it once again was said to be requiring improvement.

They said: "People were protected from the risks of avoidable harm or abuse. The provider followed safe recruitment procedures to ensure people were suitable to work at the home before they started work there. There were enough suitably trained staff deployed to meet people's needs.

"People were supported to take their medicine safely. Only staff who had received training on managing medicines safely were able to administer medicines. Staff monitored people's health and arranged health care appointments as necessary.

"The staff were kind and caring. People were treated with dignity and respect and they were supported to maintain their independence.

"People received individualised care that took account of their preferences and wishes. People were able to spend their time as they wished and were actively encouraged to maintain their interests."

Inspectors felt that there was now a positive working culture at the home where the acting manager led by example.

The inspectors added: "Staff felt valued and listened to.

"The provider had openly shared the outcome of our previous inspection with people, their relatives and staff. They had improved the systems they used to assess and monitor the quality of care and their effectiveness was kept under review."

David Coull, chief executive of Coverage Care Services, said: “We are delighted with the very positive report by the independent inspectors of the Care Quality Commission on Coton Hill House.

“It is a testament to our very dedicated, hard-working and caring staff who continuously put tremendous effort into meeting their day-to- day responsibilities. The inspectors were keen to highlight the many positive ways in which the people who use Coton Hill House were looked after, with their best interests carefully protected and their feedback constantly sought, listened to and acted upon.

“A very thorough programme of continuous improvement has achieved the kind of transformation we were aiming for at this home and our ongoing task is to maintain these standards and continue to build on them.”