Cary Brook

People were happy living at the home. Relatives spoke positively about the care and activities, and inspectors described a friendly and welcoming atmosphere.

“People were happy living at the home. Relatives spoke positively about the care and activities provided by staff.” from the report

The home followed safe recruitment procedures. Equipment, fire safety systems and other building systems were regularly checked.

“Staff were recruited safely. The service was working to recruit to vacant positions. Equipment and fire safety systems were regularly checked.” from the report

Activities were tailored to people's needs, and the home involved relatives and the local community through meetings, events and outings.

“Relatives told us people were engaged in activities on offer which had been tailored to their needs.” from the report

Multiple exposed pipes in bathrooms had not been identified or risk assessed. The provider took action after the inspection to identify and report them.

“People had not been protected from the risks of hot pipes. We found multiple exposed pipes in individual and communal bathrooms, which had not been identified as a risk to people.” from the report

Medicine cupboards and the medicine fridge had sometimes exceeded recommended temperatures, but actions were not always recorded. This meant the home could not be sure how long medicines had been stored outside those temperatures.

“Medicines were not stored safely, as actions were not always documented when records demonstrated recommended temperatures of medicine cupboards and the medicine fridge were exceeded.” from the report

Some guidance for medicines taken when needed was not detailed or personal to the individual. The effectiveness of these medicines was not always recorded.

“PRN protocols did not demonstrate how people may present or communicate additional medicines were required.” from the report

Environmental and medicine audits had not identified the problems found by inspectors. This was part of the breach of good governance.

“There were systems in place to monitor and improve the quality and safety of care provision. However, these systems were not effective in ensuring shortfalls were identified and addressed.” from the report

There were staff vacancies and a high level of agency use. Staff said temporary workers did not know residents as well, although relatives said they had not noticed a difference in care.

“There was a high level of agency use at the service.” from the report