Care home where medicines were mismanaged has been told it must improve
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has told Belmont Care Home in Longridge that it requires improvement
A Lancashire home which provides care for elderly people with dementia has been told it requires improvement following a visit by an inspection team.
Belmont Care Home in Inglewhite Road, Longridge, was inspected by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) last month.
The home also caters for young adults and people with mental health needs.
A previous report published by CQC says changes to risk management and the management of medicines was required at Belmont.
In the latest inspection, the team found “breaches of the legal regulations in relation to safe care and treatment, and good governance”.
The inspectors said: “We spoke with both people who lived at Belmont Care Home and their friends and relatives.
“Feedback was on the whole very positive about how staff supported people. Comments included, ‘The staff always appear very attentive. My friend is in a kind, caring environment and that is great for her’.”
However, the inspectors added: “Changes were required regarding the management of risk and the safe management of medicines.
“Processes needed to be strengthened so that lessons could be learned and improvements made. People were protected and kept safe from the risk of abuse.
“The facilities and equipment metpeople’s needs, were clean and well-maintained and any risks mitigated. There were enough staff with the right skills, qualifications and experience. Managers made sure staff received training and regular appraisals to maintain high-quality care.”
In 2020, told the home it must improve after a surprise inspection of the premises found issues with medicines and the way they were being handled.
Their findings, which were published in mid-March, found that residents “did not always receive their medicines as prescribed and in line with best practice guidance to improve their conditions or symptoms”.
In the latest report, inspectors noted residents were treated with “kindness and compassion”.
They said: “Staff protected their privacy and dignity, treated them as individuals and supported their preferences.
“People had choice in their care and were encouraged to maintain relationships with family and friends. Staff responded to people in a timely way.”