Pemberley House

This CQC inspection report for Pemberley House, conducted in August 2022, provides an assessment of the care services offered. The report covers key areas including safety, effectiveness, care, responsiveness, and leadership, offering an overview of the home's performance and areas for improvement to families considering placement.

On safety, the home had some areas of concern, including the management of medicines which were not always administered as prescribed. Recruitment procedures did not always meet regulatory requirements, and some staff lacked appropriate pre-employment checks. Additionally, certain aspects of the building's safety, such as fire safety measures and the secure storage of hazardous items, were not consistently maintained, although some issues were addressed during the inspection.

In terms of how effective the care is, the report highlights that up-to-date best practice guidance, particularly concerning food textures for people with swallowing difficulties, had not been fully implemented. Some staff training, especially for nursing staff in clinical areas and refresher training for dementia care, needed to be more consistently delivered. The home's décor was also noted as not always being dementia-friendly, with a lack of clear signage and contrasting colours that could assist residents with memory impairment.

The care provided at Pemberley House was found to be a positive aspect, with staff described as caring and kind. Inspectors observed staff being patient and compassionate, and they understood residents' needs well, effectively managing any anxiety. Residents and their relatives reported that staff were attentive, and the home was generally clean and tidy.

Regarding responsiveness, the report indicates that activities available were sometimes limited, particularly for residents with reduced mobility. There were concerns that staff did not always have sufficient time to dedicate one-to-one engagement with residents for reminiscence or activities, though the home was in the process of recruiting an additional activities co-ordinator. In some instances, residents or their representatives were not consistently asked for informed consent regarding the sharing of photos or videos.

On leadership, the inspection found that quality assurance measures were not always robust, and some issues identified during the inspection had not been adequately prioritised by the provider. Records were not always up-to-date or consistent. Staff also described a culture that could be perceived as blaming between managers and other staff. While the home was working to address identified issues, there were breaches in relation to safe care and treatment, good governance, and the employment of fit and proper persons.