Care standards at home rapped (From York Press)

Care standards at Marjorie Waite Court rapped

9:45am Wednesday 6th March 2013 in News By Press reporter

COUNCIL care bosses have admitted standards at a York sheltered housing complex have fallen short after a watchdog raised concerns.

A spot inspection of Marjorie Waite Court, in Clifton, by the Care Quality Commission found “suitable arrangements” were not in place to ensure residents always get the care, treatment and support they needed, and highlighted problems with keeping “accurate and appropriate” records.

The inspection report on the City of York Council-run facility in Evelyn Crescent, which can accommodate 22 people, also said staff might not be aware of the “individual needs” of those living there, which could put residents at risk.

The commisssion has asked the authority to compile a report about how it will deal with these issues.

However, it said most Marjorie Waite Court residents were happy with the care they received, arrangements were in place for staff to carry out their roles and the complex had effective systems to reduce the risk and spread of infection.

The commisssion said information on the council’s support plan, detailing healthcare needs and any risks to their wellbeing, was not always recorded on a person’s individual care plan or risk assessments, and this affected the care some people had received.

It said: “Some people told us they did not always know the staff who turned up and did not always have continuity of carers”.

It said a significant number of care and treatment records were incomplete or incorrect, and residents’ support details were sometimes incorrect or very basic, which had an impact on the care they received.

Graham Terry, the council’s assistant director for adult commissioning, modernisation and provision, said: “The areas for improvement identified by CQC confirm our own findings that the service provided at Marjorie Waite Court has fallen below our high standards and expectations.

“Immediately after the inspection, we agreed an action plan with CQC to deliver the improvements required, and we have already made significant progress. Our first priority has been to quickly improve the quality of our care records and procedures, to ensure customers continue to receive the best possible care.”

Mr Terry said the council welcomed the report’s positive findings and residents’ satisfaction levels, and was now focusing on the remaining improvements required.

The authority said it had carried out work to ensure carers had correct, updated information, brought in new systems allowing staff concerns to be quickly raised and responded to, and would provide extra training.