New Forest Nursing Home

Date of Assessment:15 and 16 December 2025. This inspection was prompted in part by a notification of an incident following which a person using the service died. This incident is subject to further investigation by CQC as to whether any regulatory action should be taken. As a result, this inspection did not examine the circumstances of the incident.

However, the information shared with CQC about the incident indicated potential concerns about people’s care and treatment. This inspection examined those risks. Although we found no concerns about people’s safety, we found the provider was in breach of 1 regulation for governance.

New Forest Nursing Home is a residential care home providing personal and nursing care to up to 48 people. We reviewed 17 quality statements across 4 of the key questions. The manager had been in post for 3 months and was aware of the concerns and had begun to make changes to the management and oversight of the service.

Some areas of medicines management needed some improvement, which had not been identified by the provider. Incidents and accidents were reported and investigated, and staff knew how to report concerns about people’s safety. Lessons learned were shared with staff formally and informally. People had been referred to other health professionals for their support when required. Safety checks in relation to the environment were carried out.

The service used nationally recognised tools to assess people’s needs. Advice was sought from external health professionals when required. Staff protected people’s dignity. Staff treated people with kindness and compassion and there was a friendly and welcoming atmosphere at the service.

We received positive feedback about the new management team from staff who told us they felt the service was “more organised.” The management team were visible, knowledgeable and supportive, helping staff develop in their roles. Staff told us they felt supported to give feedback and were treated equally, free from bullying or harassment. Staff understood their roles and responsibilities.

In instances where CQC has begun a process of regulatory action, we may publish this information on our website after any representations and/or appeals have been concluded, if the action has been taken forward.

We have asked the provider for an action plan in response to the concerns found at this assessment.

Date of Assessment: 09 January and 10 January 2025. New Forest Nursing Home provides accommodation with nursing care for up to 48 people. At the time of this assessment there were 38 people using the service. Our assessment was prompted by concerns received about the clinical safety of the home and how this was managed. Incidents and accidents were reported; however, documentation to show how lessons learned were shared with staff was not always available. Despite this, care plans had been updated to reflect any required changes following an incident. Overall, medicines were managed safely. However, we found improvement was needed for ‘as required’ medicines protocols. There were enough staff to meet the needs of people and staff knew how to support people safely. Staff followed safeguarding processes and systems were effective to manage any safeguarding concerns. The service was clean, and we observed staff following infection prevention and control guidelines. Checks for safety had been carried out for the premises and equipment being used. Although we saw some bedrail covers did not completely cover bedrails, the registered manager confirmed new covers had been ordered following our assessment. Staff told us there was an open culture and they felt valued and respected. They spoke positively about the registered manager and clinical manager and told us they felt listened to. Clinical governance processes were effective in maintaining oversight of the service.

Following our initial on-site inspection activity, we received additional information of concern about this location. As a result, we undertook an additional out of hours site visit on 17 March 2025 to complete a welfare check on people and speak with staff.