Norman Hudson Care Home in Lockwood, Huddersfield, remains rated inadequate overall and in special measures, following an inspection by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in December.
Norman Hudson Care Home, run by Park Homes (UK) Limited, provides residential and nursing care for up to 42 people. At the time of the inspection there were 29 people living at the home, most of whom were living with a dementia.
This focused inspection was prompted in part due to concerns received about safe recruitment, safeguarding, management of risk, and leadership in the home. It was also to follow up on action CQC told the provider to take at a previous inspection in July 2022. Due to concerns inspectors had about how people’s needs were being met, this latest visit became a comprehensive inspection.
After the previous inspection in July 2022 the provider completed an action plan to show what they planned do to improve. At this latest inspection the provider remained in breach of regulations and had not made enough improvements. The home’s overall rating remains rated inadequate. It also remains inadequate for being safe, effective and well-led. It has dropped from good to inadequate for being caring and responsive.
The service will remain in special measures which means it will still be kept under close review and another inspection will be carried out to check for significant improvements. If CQC does not see rapid and widespread improvement, further enforcement action will be taken which could include proposing to cancel the provider’s registration,
Sheila Grant, CQC deputy director of operations in the north, said:
“When we inspected Norman Hudson Care Home, it was disappointing that issues identified at the last inspection had not been addressed. We found an ineffective leadership team, who didn’t have a robust and complete overview of the service which was putting people at risk of harm as staff weren’t clear about their roles.
“People’s care and support wasn’t recorded in a consistent way, it was inaccurate and incomplete. Staff didn’t always know why they were recording the information and lacked understanding of how to identify and report concerns which is essential for caring for the vulnerable people living at this home.
“Inspectors found people didn’t have adequate daily opportunities to be purposefully engaged and occupied.
“Many people were living with a dementia and needed support and reassurance however, staff lacked the skills and abilities to communicate effectively with people when they were upset or anxious. Although they remained in their presence, there was little attempt to reassure anyone or involve them in activities and conversation. However, the provider told us they were actively recruiting for activities staff to improve this.
“We will continue to monitor the service closely to ensure people are receiving safe care. If we are not assured this is happening, we will not hesitate to take further action.”
Inspectors found:
- People were not always safe. Some relatives shared concerns about how safe their loved ones were. Risks to individuals were not identified accurately, and there were not adequate systems in place to ensure actions were taken to mitigate the risk of harm
- Fire safety had been a serious concern at the last inspection, these issues had not all been addressed
- There were insufficient checks carried out to ensure staff were suitable to work in the home. Staffing levels were adequate on the days of the inspection, although people and relatives told us the home was not always well staffed
- Infection control practice remained an area of concern. Staff mask usage was a continued concern at this inspection, qualified nurses were not always bare below the elbow and there were some malodours and equipment in need of thorough cleaning
- Some improvements had been made to the living environment and the décor in the home as well as some new furniture. However, some fixtures and fittings were not safe or secure, such as toilet seats, radiator covers and drawers. Equipment such as tray tables and footstools, were in short supply. Improvements were still needed to make the home more dementia friendly and to ensure living spaces were accessible
- People were not always supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives because everyday decisions were made for people, without always asking them
- Staff worked with healthcare partners where they were involved to meet people’s needs. However, people did not always have their health needs reviewed routinely, such as for the risks associated with diabetes.
However:
- Some staff understood how to support people in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.