Gorseway Nursing Home

This report from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) provides an overview of Gorseway Nursing Home following an inspection in November 2022. The inspection aimed to assess the quality and safety of care provided to residents. It covers key areas including how safe, effective, caring, responsive, and well-led the service is. This summary highlights the main findings for families looking for a care home, focusing on the day-to-day experience of residents and the overall quality of the provision. The report notes significant improvements since the last inspection, with many areas now rated positively.

On safety, residents are protected from harm as risks to their health and well-being are assessed and managed effectively by staff. While some risk assessments could be more detailed, staff demonstrate good understanding, and the management team acts quickly to address any omissions, ensuring safety measures are followed and monitored. Safeguarding systems are effective, and residents feel safe, with medication managed correctly and sufficient staffing levels to support needs. Infection control measures are robust, assuring visitors and residents of a protected environment, and while staff are generally available, some noted feeling stretched at times due to busy periods.

In terms of how effective the care is, residents' needs are met through personalised care plans developed with their involvement. The home operates in line with the Mental Capacity Act, ensuring decisions are made in residents' best interests, and residents are supported to make their own choices. Staff are considered well-trained, and a new programme is supporting nurses in developing clinical skills, with ongoing training and supervision provided. Residents receive nutritious meals tailored to their preferences and dietary needs, and while fluid intake targets were sometimes automatically generated, plans are in place to improve monitoring.

Regarding how caring the service is, the inspection found staff to be kind, compassionate, and respectful towards residents, treating them with dignity. Staff demonstrate a good understanding of individual needs and preferences, using this to engage meaningfully with residents. Residents reported feeling happy and well-treated, with staff actively supporting their relationships and involvement in activities.

In terms of how responsive the service is, people's needs are met in a personalised way, and they are supported to maintain relationships and engage in enjoyable activities. The service takes complaints seriously and uses feedback for improvement. The environment is adapted to meet residents' needs, with efforts made to personalise rooms and make the dementia unit more dementia-friendly. Residents have access to gardens and enjoy outdoor spaces.

However, concerning how well-led the service is, the provider's quality assurance systems were not always fully effective in identifying all concerns, and records were not consistently accurate or detailed, leading to a recommendation for improvement in governance. Despite this, when issues were raised, the provider acted promptly and effectively to address them, and the registered manager is committed to continuous improvement. The home has made significant progress since the previous inspection, with overall improvements noted in how the service is run.