Blackpool care home inspected by CQC after concerns raised about nursing care

The New Victoria Nursing Home in Hornby Road, was dropped from a "good" rating to "requires improvement" following its latest Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspection in March.

The watchdog inspection came after it "received concerns in relation to the management of people’s nursing care needs," and the home's safety and leadership was observed.

Some aspects of safety and good governance were highlighted as a concern during the inspection, but no concerns were raised in relation to nursing care.

The report said: "We noted some areas of the home required redecoration. Plans were in place to improve the environment, so cleaning was more effective and minimised the risk and spread of infection. Plans had been delayed due to the difficulties posed by the Covid-19 pandemic."

Despite finding issues with the decoration, CQC said other aspects of safety within the home were satisfactory, including that the manager provided PPE and training to staff, and "increased cleaning of the home took place and checks were carried out to ensure the home remained clean."

Medicines were managed safely, staff knew the help people needed to keep them safe and equipment was serviced and checked, documents showed.

But the home failed to document many of its policies and procedures, contributing to a "requires improvement" rating from the watchdog.

Inspectors continued: "The registered provider had not ensured an effective governance system was operated to identify shortfalls and drive improvements.

"Care records were not always accurate. One care record did not contain accurate information on the support a person required to manage their health condition. Staff were aware the help and support the person required but the documentation did not reflect this.

"[The manager] said the amount of administration they had to do was preventing them from completing other tasks such as audits to drive improvement."

However, despite its shortcomings, inspectors found there was "a positive culture" at the home, and staff told them they enjoyed working there as a team.

The manager told inspectors if things could have been done differently, investigations were carried out and an apology was made, they added.

A spokesman for Regency Healthcare, the firm running the New Victoria, said: "Obviously we were very disappointed with the report from CQC. We strive to maintain a high standard of care.

"The Commission found that we had not recorded our Covid-19 and infection training. All our staff had completed the training but we fell down on the recording.

"The CQC also felt that the decoration of the home needed updating. Our refurbishment plans were severely curtailed by Covid-19 as was the ability to have workmen in the home.

"Our training has now all been recorded and our programme of work is moving forward.

"All our staff work tirelessly and selflessly to give a high standard of care and have done so since the onset of the pandemic. Sometimes under very difficult circumstances.

"We respect the CQC findings and are committed to working alongside them to drive forward excellent standards."