Wykeham House

This CQC report for Wykeham House, published in June 2023, provides an overview of the care service's performance based on an inspection in April 2023. The report highlights areas where the service is meeting standards and where improvements are needed. The inspection focused on ensuring residents receive safe and well-managed care.

On safety, while residents generally felt safe and relatives expressed confidence in the care provided, there were issues identified with the clarity and consistency of Do Not Attempt Resuscitation (DNAR) records. This inconsistency posed a risk that staff might not have the correct information in an emergency, though the service has since taken steps to rectify this. While staffing levels were found to be satisfactory by inspectors, some relatives and residents noted concerns about staffing levels, particularly at weekends.

In terms of how effective the care is, the report indicates that incidents and accidents were investigated, and lessons were learned on an individual basis, leading to adjustments in care plans. However, there was a lack of overarching review of incident trends to identify potential improvements across the entire service.

Regarding caring practices, the report suggests that people were supported to have choice and control in their daily lives, with staff acting in their best interests and in the least restrictive way possible. Both staff and residents reported feeling well-supported and that the home fostered a positive working environment.

Concerning responsiveness, while not a primary focus of this inspection, the report implies that residents and their relatives were able to engage with the service and that management was approachable. There were opportunities for people to voice their opinions and see changes made based on their feedback.

On being well-led, the leadership and management of the service were found to be inconsistent. Audits of incidents and accidents did not always identify service-wide trends, and governance processes did not always highlight issues like the inconsistent DNAR information. The report notes that a recent safeguarding concern brought to light the risks associated with inconsistent records, and the registered manager had not reported this incident to the CQC as required. Despite these governance concerns, the report also highlights that people, relatives, and staff spoke highly of the registered manager and the team, describing them as approachable and caring, and noting a positive culture within the home. The service has taken immediate steps to address the identified issues.