Elderly care homes in Wisbech and March are told they must improve

Orchard House, care home Money Bank.Wisbech (Image: Archant)

Orchard House at Money Bank in Wisbech, has been warned it needs improvement in all five areas, one of many concerns was that residents were put at risk of unsafe medicine administration.

Dove Court in Kirkgate Street was rated good in two areas but required improvement in three areas.

Clovelly House in Station Road, March, was told it is good in two areas but required improvement in three areas.

Inspectors found that references were not always taken up for staff, care plans did not always contain up to date information and the service was not always well led at Clovelly House.

Clovelly House, March. (Image: Archant)

Inspectors last visited Orchard House, run by Ranc Care Homes Ltd, in May 2016 when they found the provider was breaching a legal requirement and a year later had only made “some improvements” to investigate and respond to allegations of harm.”

There were two breaches of the Health and Social Care Act.

Mangers were told that care was not consistent and the staffing team not well led.

However a family member at Orchard House said of the 42 resident home: “I am absolutely confident that staff care is as good when I am not here.”

At Dove Court inspectors said residents were cared for with compassion and the service was effective, by staff who were knowledgeable about safe guarding.

However inspectors said: “We found some areas of the home to be odorous, particularly where carpet was laid and these odorous were present throughout the day.” However a family member commented that they had no worries about the way staff handled family members and the care being given.

At Clovelly House in March managers were told they were good at providing a caring and effective service but were not providing a safe service because there was not robust recruiting or detailed protocols for medicine administration.

Inspectors said the home was not always well led. A resident told inspectors, however, that: ”I have only just moved but all (staff) seem very good, attention is good, they are always looking out for me.”

All inspections were by the Care Quality Commission. within the last three months.