A care home has been ordered to improve after inspectors found the ‘unsafe’ use of medicines had put elderly residents at ‘increased risk of harm’. Berrycroft Manor, in Romiley, Stockport, provides personal care for up to 78 older people, including those living with dementia.
Previously rated as ‘good’, it has now been downrated to ‘requires improvement’ following a three-day visit by CQC officials earlier this year.Its first inspection since 2018, the watchdog found the of the Berrycroft Lane home met people’s needs ‘through good organisation and delivery, while residents were also said to feel safe and happy - one describing staff as ‘absolutely wonderful’.
The home says it has now put measures in place to minimise any future risks regarding medicines and care plans. However, inspectors noted some serious failings - including three breaches of care regulations.
READ MORE : Elderly residents had medicines ‘mixed up’ and were left waiting for help at care home
A new report finds that ‘some aspects of the service were not always safe’ - and there was ‘an increased risk that people could be harmed’. Several concerns were raised over the safe administration and management of medicines.
“We were not assured people received their medicines safely and appropriately,” the report notes. It continues: “Medicines to be given 'when required' to relieve anxiety did not always have a detailed care plan to guide staff on how they should be used safely.
"We found one person had been given a higher dose than what the doctor had prescribed on five occasions in June and July 2022.” Officials also observed that staff did not record where a medicine patch had been applied previously, meaning they could not be sure they had been applied safely - potentially increasing the risk of side effects.
And there was ‘no robust system in place in the event of an internet failure’. “On three days in June 2022 there were no records of administration for any medicines. We could not be sure whether these medicines had been missed or not signed for,” inspectors noted.
Further concerns were raised over residents’ care plans and risk assessments. These were found these were not always current or accurate or provide staff with the information needed to safely meet people's needs.
On a more positive note, the service was found to be responsive - being rated ‘good’ in this assessment category. The home was found to give people 'maximum choice and control of their lives', while 'staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests'.
Officials noted that the management team was helpful throughout the process and reacted quickly to any concerns raised. However, they found that leadership at the home was inconsistent.
The report reads: “Leaders and the culture they created did not always support the delivery of high-quality, person-centred care.” Despite this, officials also noted that evidence and assurance of improvements had been received from the home following the inspection.
A spokesperson for Berrycroft Manor said: "We are proud that all previous inspections for Berrycroft Manor have been given a ‘Good’ rating by CQC. The staff team have worked extremely hard in challenging circumstances since the last inspection.
"We have now put measures in place to minimise any future risks regarding medicines and care plans, and we are actively engaged with CQC to deliver our action plan."
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