South Shields care home told to improve after being found not '˜safe'

Seahaven Care Home, in Beach Road, South Shields, was the subject of an unannounced inspection by staff from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in March.

The inspection found the home fell short in a number of areas according to a report released by the watchdog in which it was told it “requires improvement” overall.

In terms of safety, the home was given an “inadequate” rating.

“Medicines were not always managed in the right way,” read the report.

“Controlled drugs, were not stored appropriately. Controlled drugs that were not used regularly were kept in a locked metal safe in the locked treatment room, but the safe was not fixed to a wall.

“Controlled drugs that were used regularly were kept in a small locked safe within the medicines trolley.

“This meant controlled drugs were not being stored safely in line with current guidance.”

The report added: “People were not always protected from the risk of infection.

“On the first day of our inspection a communal toilet on the ground floor was dirty, the waste bin was not pedal operated, and the light pull cord was not plastic coated so it could be wiped clean.

“Also, a person who used the service required additional infection prevention measures due to a medical condition, but this was not clearly documented in their care plan.”

The service was found to be good in terms of care offered, but improvements are required in respect of how effective and responsive it is.

The leadership of Seahaven has also been told to improve.

The report states: “The meal time experience was inconsistent.

“People were helped to eat while their food was still hot, but some staff were seen to rush people as they had several people to support.

“Other staff prompted people to eat in a gentle and encouraging manner.”

The report said staff were praised by the families of residents and inspectors found them to be helpful in trying to maintain residents’ independence.

Seahaven provides personal care for up to 28 people with dementia or general care needs.

There were 20 people living there at the time of the inspection of which six were receiving short-term care.

In response to the report, the home’s manager June Holmes said: “We have taken note of what the CQC’s concerns were and in regards to the drug policy and storage, we are working alongside local pharmacists, residents, GPs and the CQC to correct the problems regarding the procedures and record keeping.

“We’ve also spoken to the CQC with regards to the report and they are quite happy with the progress we have made in putting these things right.”