The Gables

This report from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) provides an overview of The Gables care home. The inspection focused on safety, effectiveness, responsiveness, and leadership. While residents and their families generally expressed satisfaction with the staff and the care provided, the inspection identified significant areas requiring improvement across several key domains. The report highlights a shift in the home's overall rating from previously good to inadequate, with particular concerns raised regarding safety protocols and the overall management of the service.

Regarding the safety of the service, concerns were raised about the lack of robust systems for reporting and managing incidents of actual or potential harm. This included issues with safeguarding referrals and a lack of a learning process following incidents, placing residents at risk. Risk assessments for health and welfare were not consistently completed, and medication management also presented safety concerns, particularly with high-risk medicines. Furthermore, infection control measures were not always robust, and the building environment presented some hazards.

In terms of how effective the care is, the service did not always consistently ensure residents had maximum choice and control over their lives, with records not always demonstrating that staff supported residents in the least restrictive way possible. The report also noted that the building's design did not always follow best practice guidance for supporting individuals living with dementia, with a recommendation made for environmental adaptations.

On responsiveness, the report indicated that residents felt their care needs were met by staff who knew them well, and they enjoyed the food provided with plenty of choice. However, the report did not explicitly detail findings for the 'Responsive' category within the provided text.

Regarding how well-led the service is, the inspection found that governance systems were not robust, with several breaches of regulations identified due to a lack of effective systems and processes. While staff recruitment was safe and there were sufficient staff, the overall leadership and management of the home required significant improvement to ensure consistent quality and safety for residents.