Improvements underway at Banbury care home after critical inspection

Glebefields Care Home was rated as ‘requires improvement’ by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in a report published on August 17, following unannounced inspections in June.

Inspectors did praise the Stratford Road nursing home for being clean and caring but employees and residents commented on the lack of staff.

A spokesman for parent company Brighter Kind said: “Although no aspect of the service was rated as inadequate, we recognise that improvements were required to bring it to the standards that we expect to provide.

“Since the inspection, which took place in June, we have been carrying out a comprehensive improvement programme.”

Glebefields was rated as ‘requires improvement’ – the second-worst score – for four out of five criteria but ‘good’ for ‘caring’ by the CQC.

Inspectors said there was not always sufficient staff to meet people’s needs and staff did not always apply the principles of the Mental Care Act.

One person told inspectors: “I am sometimes left waiting for help.” While another said: “I call for staff and they don’t come. There are not enough staff though I’m told they are fully staffed.”

A member of staff said: “There is not enough staff to deal with the levels of need. We especially need more night staff. I feel rushed especially when I need to do things like medication and contact people’s GPs.”

The Brighter Kind spokesman said a ‘safe staffing tool’ had not been used correctly but the number and skills mix of employees has been reviewed and they are confident levels are appropriate to meet residents’ needs.

Residents were complimentary to inspectors about the staff who are ‘kind, caring and compassionate’, with one saying: “Couldn’t better it, this place. I’ve no complaints at all.”

Plus the environment at Glebefields was suitable to meet people’s needs and there was a homely feel, the premises were clean and people were protected from the risk of infection.

Care plan records were criticised by inspectors, who said they were not always clear and concise, but the care home spokesman said more detail is being included.

Inspectors also said ‘staff did not always follow the recommendations of healthcare professionals’.

The spokesman said this related to one incident of ‘human error’ that was corrected as soon as it was pointed out to the manager.

To read the full report, click here.