Chesterfield care home responds after critical report is published

Woodlands Care and Nursing Home in Wardgate Way, Holme Hall, was rated as requiring improvements in a report published last month by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

But bosses say positive changes have taken place at the care home since inspectors visited at the end of last year.

In its report, the CQC said: "Staff knew how to keep people safe but were not always aware of how to report any concerns they may have.

"Risks were identified but not always managed effectively to keep people safe.

"Some people struggled unassisted to eat.

"People's dignity was not always respected.

"Staff did not always offer people choice.

"Staff did not always have time to spend with people.

"Lunch was not always an enjoyable experience.

"There was a marked difference between two dining rooms.

"Most staff were caring and respectful.

"However, some staff did not acknowledge people and show respect to them.

"Some spoke about people and spoke over their heads to colleagues.

"People were not offered the opportunity to participate in their interests.

"They appeared to be bored and unstimulated.

"The registered manager was not always aware of the areas of the service that needed to improve and therefore did not have plans in place to achieve this.

"The deployment of staff and their responsibility was not clear.

"People and their needs and wishes were not put at the centre of the service."

However, the report raised a number of positives.

It said: "Staff received training to meet the varied and specialised needs of people using the service.

"Staff mostly knew people and their individual care needs.

"Staff were well supported and had regular meeting with their line manager to ensure they had the training and information to care for people.

"People were supported to maintain relationships with family and friends.

"Visitors were welcomed at any time.

"The service was clean."

Andrew Beard, area manager for Woodlands Care and Nursing Home, said: "Since the inspections at the end of last year, we've worked hard to address issues and concerns.

"We've also been given a Dignity care award."

Woodlands Care and Nursing Home is registered to provide personal care for up to 50 adults, which may include some people living with dementia.

This inspection was unannounced and took place in November and December last year.

Read the full report at www.cqc.org.uk