Clean bill of health for nursing home

A care watchdog has given a nursing home a clean bill of health following a damning inspection report.
Valley Lodge Care Home Bakewell Road MatlockValley Lodge Care Home Bakewell Road Matlock
Valley Lodge Care Home Bakewell Road Matlock

Staff at Valley Lodge Nursing Home, in Bakewell Road, Matlock, are celebrating after the latest inspection report by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) has declared the quality of care at the establishment meets the required standard.

Admissions to the nursing home, which is owned by Ashmere, were suspended after an inspector identified major issues with the standard of residents’ welfare in a report published in October last year.

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The CQC issued a formal warning after highlighting issues such as incomplete records being kept relating to fluid balance charts and care plans, as well as some of the staff not demonstrating a full understanding of residents’ needs.

A warning was issued over the management of medicines.

The new report states: “We found that there had been improvements in all of the areas we reviewed.

“We saw that new documentation had been introduced which had improved the recording of best interest decisions for people who lacked capacity.

“We also saw that the issues related to infection control had been addressed through a programme of refurbishment and improved monitoring.”

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The report added: “In respect of the two warning notices we saw that the medication processes were being checked on a daily basis which has reduced the incidence of errors considerably.

“In addition care plans with guidance for staff had been re–written to give greater clarity.

“In respect of care and welfare, the recording of information within care plans had improved and this had had a positive effect on the care delivered throughout the home.

“The assessment of people living at the home had also improved, and assessments from other professionals were also being used.”

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The care home’s manager Pamela Wood commented: “Staff are all working together as a team, regular audits are taking place to ensure residents are getting the highest standard of care and treatment possible.

“The atmosphere in the home is friendly and happy and both staff and relatives have said they look forward to coming to the home.”

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