St Elmo care home in Ringwood rated as 'requires improvement' following inspection by CQC

A CARE home in Ringwood where accidents were not always sufficiently recorded and medicines not properly stored has been rated as ‘requires improvement’ by health watchdog the Care Quality Commission.

St Elmo in Gorley Road, which has capacity to provide personal care to up to 23 people, was visited by inspectors on 30th January and 6th February.

While they noted the premises were clean and there were no concerns with regard to infection prevention and control, accidents and incidents had not always been appropriately responded to.

“They had been recorded, however we found there to be limited information about what actions had been taken and therefore were not assured sufficient actions had been taken by staff to ensure people were safe and well,” said inspectors.

“For example, a person fell and told staff their shoulder was painful. No injuries had been recorded but a note mentioned they were confused and scared. No information had been added to indicate whether medical advice had been sought or pain relief administered.”

Another recorded incident detailed a resident who had slipped through their hoist sling onto their head.

The report said: “No apparent injuries were recorded, however we were concerned there was no record of medical attention being sought.

“There was also no record to show the matter had been reported under Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR) 2013.

“We were not assured that learning was taken from accidents and incidents to prevent reoccurrence. This was a breach of regulation 12 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014.”

Inspectors found medicines were not always safely managed, with prescribed food and fluid thickener left unattended on a drinks trolley in the dining room for 10 minutes.

The report added: “Products of this nature pose a serious risk to people should they ingest them in their granular form; they may swell and prevent breathing.”

Inspectors found sufficient staff were deployed to support residents’ needs, although at times several staff would be seated in the dining area completing care records rather than spending quality time with residents.

The report highlighted the provider was not fully aware of their responsibilities under the Mental Capacity Act 2005, which provides a legal framework for making particular decisions on behalf of people who may lack the mental capacity to do so for themselves.

Inspectors observed one resident who refused medication, and stated: “It would be unlikely the person had capacity to decide to refuse their medicines, therefore both an MCA assessment and best interest decision should be in place with a care plan to ensure staff administered medicines in line with the decision.”

The inspection revealed that residents and their relatives were confident the service was safe and felt staff were kind and respectful, although inspectors raised some concerns over how privacy and dignity was respected.

The care home was last inspected in 2019 and was rated as ‘good’.

A spokesperson for St Elmo said: "We take great pride in the care of our residents at St Elmo and have had very positive feedback from professionals and family members.

"Whilst obviously disappointed with the CQC rating, the actual recommendations at the end of the report are fairly straightforward and the report itself recognises we have implemented them already.

"We look forward to regaining our 'good' rating at the next inspection.