St Elmo Care Home

This report from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) provides an overview of St. Elmo Care Home following an inspection. The inspection focused on assessing the quality and safety of care provided to residents, examining various aspects of the home's operation, from daily care practices to overall management and compliance with regulations. The findings detailed in this report offer insights into the home's strengths and areas identified for improvement.

Regarding safety, while the premises were clean and infection control measures were in place, there were concerns about how accidents and incidents were managed, with lessons not always shared effectively. Medication management also presented some challenges, including the temperature of the medication storage and the appropriate use of prescribed thickeners.

In terms of effectiveness, the care plans were generally well-assessed and reflected residents' needs. However, the service was not always fully aware of its responsibilities under the Mental Capacity Act, with inconsistent application of assessments and best interest decisions in care planning, particularly concerning medication.

The inspection found that staff were caring and knew residents well. However, there were some areas where residents' privacy and dignity could be better respected. Recruitment processes were robust, and staff received relevant training and supervision.

Concerning responsiveness, residents' needs were assessed, and care plans aimed to meet them. While meals were generally appetising, the lunchtime experience could be improved. The home faced challenges with staff availability for activities due to recruitment difficulties.

On the well-led aspect, audits had not always identified issues, and there was a lack of assurance regarding the registered manager's full oversight of the service. While feedback was sought from relatives and the manager was available, underlying issues within the staff team were impacting well-being and potentially service delivery, which the manager was struggling to address.