Alderwood Residential Care Home ordered to improve

Alderwood Residential Care Home in Boothstown scored a rating of "requires improvement" after a visit from healthcare watchdog, the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

The Simpson Road facility was ranked as requiring to improve in two out of the five areas it was monitored on- its responsiveness and leadership.

The report stated: "People did not always receive care that met their needs and reflected their preferences.

"Accurate, secure and contemporaneous records were not always maintained by staff.

"Not all aspects of the service were well-led. Further improvements were still required to governance and auditing systems within the home.

"We also made a recommendation regarding the policy and procedure for the frequency of quality assurance checks within the home."

CQC inspectors did note positive aspects about the care home, which had 34 people living there at the time of their visit.

Its effectiveness and care was categorised as "good".

Its safety was also classed as "good" after being labelled in the worst possible category of "inadequate" in the home's previous inspection, which was published last July.

The report stated: "The service was safe. There were systems in place to safeguard people from abuse.

"Medication was handled safely.

"Staff told us they received sufficient training, induction and supervision to support them in their roles.

"We observed staff seeking consent from people throughout the inspection.

"People who lived at the home and visiting relatives made positive comments about the care being provided.

"People were treated with dignity and respect.

"We observed caring interactions between staff and people living at the home."

The inspection took place over two days on December 4 and 6 with the first day being an unannounced visit.

A spokesman from Alderwood Residential Care Home said: "We are pleased the CQC identified Alderwood Residential Care Home as a 'good' rating in safe, effective and caring, with residents and relatives providing positive feedback to inspectors on the support and care we provide.

"The report did identify some areas of improvement and we have put an action plan in place to ensure these are met.

"We continue to liaise with the CQC about these improvements and look forward to our next inspection."