The Care Quality Commission
  • Care Home
  • Care home

Archived: Conifers Nursing Home

158, Manchester Road, Chorlton, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M16 0DZ (0161) 881 2514

Provided and run by:
Dr V K Trehan & Mrs S Trehan

All Inspections

29 April 2013

During a routine inspection

We found that the majority of people who lived at Conifers nursing home were not able to communicate effectively due to dementia or similar conditions. However we talked with one person who used the service and two visitors. We also visited everyone who was living at the home on the day of inspection. On the day of the visit people commented or intimated that they were happy with the staff at Conifers nursing home.

The people we talked with said the service met their needs. We were told: 'Staff treat me alright.'

And:

'Yes it's alright'They tell me what's going on.'

As we went around the home people who used the service indicated to us through smiling and making positive sounds and gestures that they were content at time they were spoken to. Everyone we met looked comfortable, people were able to walk around the home safely and freely and no one was distressed.

We used the Short Observational Framework for Inspection (SOFI). SOFI is a specific way of observing care to help us understand the experience of people who could not talk with us and saw that people were provided with support to meet their individual needs. We found that people were treated with dignity and respect, provided with effective health care and supported by staff who could meet their needs.

1 August 2012

During an inspection looking at part of the service

We carried out this compliance review to assess how the service had responded to the compliance action set in April 2012. At that inspection we found that the provider was not achieving the required standard for meeting people's nutritional needs.

We observed the interactions between people and staff at meal time; we spoke with a person using the service, a relative, the cook, and the registered general nurse on duty.

We found that many people living in the home were unable to express their opinions about the care they received due to difficulties communicating verbally. However we saw that most people ate their meal and appeared to be enjoying the drinks and food provided.

The relative we spoke with told us:

'I thought they were fine but the meals are much improved. There's a choice at every meal time now; and having two sittings means that every one gets a hot meal. It's also better with people sitting at the table if they want.'

We found the service was now compliant with respect to meeting people's nutritional needs.

24 April 2012

During an inspection looking at part of the service

We carried out this compliance review to assess how the service had responded to the compliance actions set at the previous review conducted in December 2011.

We observed the interactions between people and staff, we toured the building, we saw everyone living at Conifers on the day of the visit, and we spoke with two people to find out their thoughts about the home. In addition we spoke with two relatives, the registered manager, and the registered general nurse on duty.

We found that many people living in the home were unable to express their opinions about the care they received due to difficulties communicating verbally. However we visited everyone at the home and each person looked comfortable and smiled when asked about how they were.

When asked about the best thing about living at Conifers, people said:

'The staff are nice and easy going.'

'They keep me clean and comfortable.'

'When he was ill he couldn't wait to get back here.'

And

'Everything is good.'

When we asked about what might be improved at Conifers people felt the service was already good enough.

We found improvements in most outcome areas, however outcomes concerned with food and nutrition had not improved and were not compliant with the Health and Social Care Act (HSCA) 2008.

8 December 2011

During a routine inspection

At the time of our visit there were fifteen people living at Conifers Nursing Home. We made observations and we spoke to four people to find out what it was like to receive care and accommodation at Conifers. In addition we spoke to three relatives, management and staff, a dietician, a social worker and an advanced care practitioner who were visiting the home whilst we were there. People told us they believed the home was meeting their relatives' needs. It should be noted that many people living in the home were not able to express their opinions about the care they received due to difficulties in communication.

Comments from people included:

"The staff are kind and helpful".

"I think all the staff are marvelous. If they find something a person likes they will get it in for them."

"The staff are always gentle and care for me well, but I just don't always understand them."

From our observations there are a number of areas where improvements are required and these were discussed at the time of our visit and are identified within the main body of the report.