Care home rated ‘requires improvement’ a third time

The Care Quality Commission team visiting Roche Abbey Care Home found residents had lost “considerable weight” and care plans were not reviewed.

Inspectors also noted that, while the Maltby-based service was “visibly clean”, some mattresses, pressure cushions and chairs were “stained and dirty.”

Following the unannounced inspection in June, the CQC rated the home as “requires improvement” in the categories of ‘safe’ and ‘well-led’.

For the three areas not inspected, it used the ratings awarded at the last inspection in February 2022 – all 'good' – to calculate the overall rating.

There were 37 people living at the home on Millard Lane at the time of the inspection, including some residents with dementia.

Inspectors found residents had lost “considerable weight, the care plans and supporting documentation did not give details of how to manage this” and care plans were not reviewed.

Following the CQC’s visit, the manager sent evidence of introducing new tools to address the shortfalls and arranged additional staff training.

The CQC said the home “generally, was visibly clean”, but they found mattresses, pressure cushions and chairs which were “stained and dirty and kitchenettes required a thorough clean.”

The manager “confirmed action had been taken” following the inspection.

Inspectors spoke with five people who used the service, seven relatives, and ten employees.

One resident said: “I am settled alright – the staff are nice and good to you.”

Staff were described as “lovely”, but one relative said the home “seem(ed) to have a reduced staff level at the weekend.”

There were enough employees on duty on the day of the CQC visit, but inspectors discussed people’s feedback with the manager who agreed to look at staffing deployment, especially at weekends.

Inspectors requested an action plan “to understand what they (Roche Abbey) will do to improve the standards of quality and safety.”

The commission will continue to monitor information about the service ahead of its next inspection.

Roche Abbey was approached for a comment but declined to respond.