Alderwood Care Home

Alderwood Care Home is a facility for up to 39 older people, currently caring for 27 residents. This report details the findings from a CQC inspection focused on ensuring the home provides safe, effective, caring, responsive, and well-led services. The inspection was prompted partly by a serious incident and aimed to assess potential risks to residents.

On safety, while residents and relatives generally felt safe and staff were recruited safely with adequate PPE, there were recurring issues with record-keeping. This included incomplete documentation for topical creams, food and fluid intake, pressure relief repositioning, and pressure mattress settings, meaning it was not always possible to confirm that residents received the required care. Some residents also expressed concerns about timely call bell responses and the frequency of baths and showers, leading to a recommendation for reviewing staffing levels.

Regarding how effective the care is, the inspection found that while residents received appropriate diet consistencies, there were discrepancies in thickened fluid records. The home has been advised to strengthen its quality assurance processes to ensure record-keeping improvements.

In terms of caring, the report highlights that residents and relatives spoke positively about the care received, describing staff as excellent, kind, and caring. Residents felt safe in the environment, and staff interactions were noted as brilliant, contributing to good outcomes for individuals.

For responsiveness, the home has systems in place for feedback through audits, surveys, and meetings. Staff are aware of the need for improvements in record-keeping, which has been identified through internal audits. The home works in partnership with local authorities and health teams, and has strong links within the local community.

On how well-led the service is, leadership and management were clear about their roles. Staff reported a positive culture, enjoying their roles and feeling supported by management. While the service had systems for monitoring quality, the ongoing issues with accurate record-keeping meant that this area required improvement. The home is also required to display its latest inspection ratings.