Working at St Margarets Care Home

Medicines were not being managed safely or administered as prescribed... The provider did not demonstrate people were being given their medicines as prescribed as staff were not following the correct administration times.

Staff told us they felt supported by the provider. However, our assessment identified significant shortfalls whereby the provider failed to adequately support staff. For example, staff rotas were completed a week in advance, which did not demonstrate staff were given ample time to know their working patterns.

Safe staffing levels were not robustly assessed or reviewed which placed people at risk of harm. There was not always enough staff to meet people’s needs... only 1 staff member was on duty between the time of 21.30 and 22.00 for 15 people.

The provider failed to ensure staff had completed safe and effective training. We found staff had not completed training to meet the specific needs of people they supported, for example, epilepsy and diabetes training had not been undertaken.

The provider did not have oversight of the service to monitor quality and safety appropriately. Furthermore, we found shortfalls in their regulatory knowledge to drive improvements and meet the required regulations.

We found limited evidence of meaningful activities taking place at the care home, and no evidence of any activities specifically designed for people living with dementia. The provider employed an ‘activities co-ordinator’, but we found when they had planned leave, arrangements were not made to cover this role.