Tallis House

This report from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) provides an overview of the inspection conducted at Tallis House. The inspection focused on safety, effectiveness, and leadership, with the aim of assessing the quality of care provided to residents. It details specific findings in each of these areas, highlighting both areas where care meets standards and where improvements are needed. The report aims to offer transparency to families looking for suitable care for their loved ones.

On safety, the home had systems in place for medicine management, hygiene, and infection control that were generally effective. However, there were significant concerns regarding insufficient staffing levels, which impacted residents' ability to receive timely support and engage in activities they wished. Some recruitment processes were not consistently followed, and there were instances where staff lacked essential training or proper checks, potentially putting residents at risk. While risks in care plans were generally assessed, a relative identified unexplained marks on a resident that were not initially recorded or investigated, leading to a safeguarding concern.

Regarding effectiveness, while residents' needs were assessed and care plans were generally in place, staff did not always possess the necessary knowledge and skills to provide consistently safe and effective care, particularly in areas like moving and handling. The induction process for new staff, especially those recruited from overseas, was found to be insufficient in some cases, with staff working unsupervised without full competency checks. Despite these challenges, residents were positive about the staff who supported them, and support for eating, drinking, and accessing healthcare services was generally good, with appropriate professional referrals being made.

In terms of how well-led the service is, the leadership and management structure was found to be inconsistent. Systems to monitor the service's performance had not identified all the issues raised during the inspection, including significant concerns about staffing and staff support. Although audits were in place, the analysis of incidents was not always thorough. While staff were offered opportunities to contribute to improvements, they reported that current staffing levels and management changes affected their ability to consistently deliver person-centred care.