A care home in Churchdown has been rated ‘requires improvement’ for keeping lax records after an inspection earlier this year.
Hunters Green Care Home was visited by inspectors from the Care Quality Commission (CQC), the independent regulator of health and social care in England, in January. Their findings were published this week.
Hunters Green Care Home, in Criftycraft Lane, provides accommodation and personal care for four adults with a learning disability or an autistic spectrum condition.
The inspector said the four living there had a range of support needs including help with communication, personal care, moving about and support if they became confused or anxious.
They wrote: “People were supported by a caring staff team who knew them well and treated them as individuals. The ways each person communicated their needs and preferences were understood by staff.
“People were encouraged to make choices and be as independent as possible. In order to achieve this, a balance was struck between keeping people safe and supporting them to take risks and develop their independence.”
But the inspector reported that people had decisions made on their behalf that were not fully documented or regularly reviewed to make sure their changing needs and circumstances were addressed.
And while people received the medicines they needed, the recording and storage of medicines did not always comply with best practice.
The inspector said people’s immediate health needs were responded to but records were not being regularly updated.
A spokesman for Brandon Trust, which owns the care home, said: “We acknowledge the need for improvements and have already provided a detailed plan to the CQC in relation to the areas requiring action following the inspection. We are confident of achieving the necessary outcomes and now looks forward to CQC’s next visit to Hunters Green. As a charity, we welcome feedback on our services so we can continue to improve our support of people with learning disabilities and autism.”