Forest Edge Care Home in Cadnam, which had been placed in special measures by the Care Quality Commission last year, still requires improvment, inspectors rule

A New Forest dementia care home which was placed in special measures last year after an inspection from the Care Quality Commission still requires improvement, a report has found.

As reported in the A&T, Forest Edge Care Home in Southampton Road, Cadnam, was found to be inadequate last December.

The inspection found staff there lacked an understanding of working with people living with dementia and at times residents were left for over an hour, increasing the risk of falls or potential harm from peers.

Inspectors returned unannounced on 16th May and ruled that while some improvements had been made, the facility still needs improvement.

The care home, which has capacity for 32 residents, currently supports 21 people.

On arrival inspectors found the home was clean and had been refurbished. This included new flooring, furniture and bathrooms.

New signage had also been provided at the correct height for people living with dementia, lighting had been improved and new chairs had been ordered.

However, concerns remained over systems to monitor and mitigate risks to those involved in unwitnessed falls and who may have suffered head injuries.

A report at the time said risk assessments were not always followed and inspectors were not assured all accidents and incidents were recorded.

Reporting on the most recent visit, inspectors wrote: “Not enough improvement had been made at this inspection and the provider was still in breach of [this] regulation.

“In incidents of potential head injury or unwitnessed falls, particularly when people living with dementia are not able to describe what has happened, good practice is to complete observations.

“In a residential service this should include expressed pain and bruising developing and should involve waking sleeping persons to ensure they are not unconscious.

“While viewing records we saw three incidents that required further investigation and four incidents had not been followed up or actioned. This meant we could not be assured appropriate action had been taken to keep people safe, and if appropriate measures and monitoring had been put in place.”

At the last inspection, mealtimes in the home were not always found to be a “positive” experience, and it was noted there were no dining tables for residents to gather.

Since then, tables had been purchased, although residents could still choose to eat in their rooms or in their chairs if they wished, the report stated.

It added :”There was a relaxed atmosphere in the dining room, the meal was unhurried, and people chatted with each other and with staff.”

Inspectors observed staff seeking consent from residents before providing care and support, the report said, and since the last inspection face-to-face training as well as online training had been introduced, which had a positive effect on staff.

A full activity programme was now provided to residents, which included flower arranging, art, music, interactive games and bingo.

The report added residents were now going out on trips both individually and in groups, as well as enjoying the “lovely” garden.

Last year inspectors found procedures were not in place to manage missed or omitted doses of medicines or to ensure that medicines administered had been taken, which had placed people at risk of harm.

However, it said improvements had been made to ensure people received their medicines safely. Some improvements were still required to show people received creams as prescribed.

The registered manager had introduced weekly walk-rounds of the home to ensure it was safe, and directors also visited monthly and met with people to ensure they were happy at the home, the report added.

Forest Edge Care Home registered manager Darren Hughes said: “We are pleased with our new rating and look forward to our next inspection.”