Downsvale Nursing Home

Downsvale Nursing Home provides residential and nursing care for up to 35 individuals, including those living with dementia. This inspection report from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) offers insights into the home's performance across key areas, with a particular focus on safety and leadership following concerns raised about staffing, training, and medication management. The overall findings indicate that while the home is safe and effective, there are areas where leadership and the consistent application of policies require further attention to ensure the highest standards of care are maintained for all residents and their families.

Regarding safety, residents generally feel secure, with staff demonstrating a good understanding of safeguarding procedures and risks. The home has robust systems for assessing and managing risks, including detailed care plans for specific needs like pressure area care and choking. Safety checks for premises and equipment are conducted appropriately, and there are clear emergency plans in place. While most infection control practices were satisfactory, there was an observation of staff not consistently following national guidelines for face mask usage in close proximity to residents, and the provider has implemented an action plan to address this.

On how effective the care is, residents receive their medications on time and are supported with self-administration if they wish. Staffing levels appear sufficient to meet residents' needs, with quick response times noted for call bells and during mealtimes. Care records are maintained, including those detailing identified risks. The home actively learns from incidents, analysing events like falls to implement improvements and reduce future risks, often in collaboration with healthcare professionals and families.

In terms of how caring the service is, residents and their relatives consistently report feeling safe and well-supported by kind and compassionate staff. Staff are well-trained in safeguarding and understand how to report any suspicions of abuse. Feedback indicates that residents feel their needs are being met and that they receive good care.

Looking at how responsive the service is, residents and their families are aware of how to raise concerns or make complaints and feel confident that these will be addressed. While in-person feedback meetings were paused due to COVID-19 restrictions, the home utilises surveys and telephone calls to gather feedback, which residents and relatives feel is genuinely listened to and acted upon.

Finally, concerning how well-led the service is, there is a clear communication structure and staff understand their roles and responsibilities. Regular supervisions are provided, and staff feel supported and able to approach management with suggestions. However, the provider needs to strengthen its auditing processes to ensure consistent adherence to national guidelines, particularly regarding the use of personal protective equipment like face masks. The provider has acknowledged this and is implementing further training and quality assurance measures to improve oversight in this area.