HEALTH watchdogs have slammed a care home as ‘requiring improvement’ after an inspection found insufficient staff training meant they couldn’t do their job ‘safely and effectively’. 

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) report identified breaches in relation to “staffing, premises and equipment, and good governance” during July’s inspection of Lovat House Residential Care (LHRC) in Wokingham. 

LHRC is a residential care home providing personal care to up to 25 people. At the time of the inspection there were 15 people using the service. 

Staff had “not received supervisions and appraisals” to assist their development in line with company policy, although staff feel “supported” in their role and can ask the manager for help when needed, according to the report.

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It claims the provider did not ensure there were effective systems in place to “oversee the service and to support effective governance” and did not provide all staff with “appropriate training” to do their job safely and effectively. 

The inspector also noted that LHRC “did not always ensure maintenance of premises safety” with regards to legionella checks – which can cause a potentially fatal type of pneumonia. 

This latest CQC rating saw a decline since its last inspection, having been rated ‘good’ in January 2019 under the previous provider. 

During the inspection, four members of staff were spoken to, plus feedback from a further eight members of staff, in order to make an assessment.    

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The inspector also spoke to six residents and two relatives, as well as reviewing administrative records, care plans, and risk assessments. They also reviewed three recruitment records. 

The report highlighted positive aspects of the care offered too, with residents stating they feel “safe” and staff “understood their responsibilities”. 

It found that safeguarding systems were operated “effectively” to investigate allegations of abuse or neglect and individual risk assessments were “in place” so staff were aware of how to provide safe care. 

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Care plans were “individualised” and included input from the relevant person, alongside contingency plans in case of emergencies. 

Residents, as well as their relatives, were asked for their feedback by the provider and said they were treated “with care, respect, and kindness” by staff. 

CQC has requested an action plan from LHRC “to understand what they will do to improve the standards and quality of safety”. It will work alongside the care provider and local authority to “monitor progress”. 

Lovat House Residential Care were approached for comment.