Enforcement action against Acorns Care Centre cancelled after latest inspection

Acorns Care Centre in Hindley has been given a rating of "requires improvement" by health watchdog the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

Back in January, the Parkside home scored the lowest possible ranking of "inadequate".

It had been placed in "special measures" following the inspection.

This was followed by a case at Wigan and Leigh Magistrates' Court in June where it was revealed environmental health officers found a number of failings in 2017 including an infestation of mice in the care home.

CQC inspectors returned in July to give the care home an improved rating of "requires improvement" in September but returned last month to check if progress was still being made.

In the latest report, which was published on November 23, the care home was rated "good" in three out of five areas- its effectiveness, whether it is caring and its responsiveness.

It was given a score of "requires improvement" in its safety and leadership.

The inspection was carried out in an unannounced visit on October 8 and an arranged one two days later.

The report states: "Our re-visit in October 2018 was positive.

"At this inspection, we found the previous concerns raised in November 2017 and July 2018 had been addressed.

"The overall rating of Acorns Care Centre remains 'requires improvement' but effective and responsive have improved to 'good' following this inspection.

"Because of the significant improvements identified, we have withdrawn the enforcement action taken regarding the home following our November 2017 inspection when the home was rated 'inadequate'.

"The home continues to be supported by the local authority through a service improvement plan and we attend meetings bi-monthly to monitor the homes progress.

"We found past failures to assess risks relating to bed rails and airflow mattresses had been addressed.

"The system implemented to investigate and respond to accidents and incidents remained effective.

"This continued to be disseminated to staff to promote learning.

"Recruitment was effective and appropriate checks completed before new staff commenced working at the home.

"People living at the home and their relatives were complimentary about the care provided.

"The home has improved and there were clear plans and identified timeframes to continue that trajectory of improvement."

There were some areas of concern which were pointed out in the report. 

The report added: "At this inspection, we found medicines were not managed safely.

"There was medication administration charts (MAR) without photographs, missed signatures and medicines that could not be determined as being given.

"Cream records didn't demonstrate creams were being applied as prescribed."

At the time of the inspection there was no registered manager at the care home.

Caresolve, a care home transformation company, was appointed in January 2018 to work with Acorn Care Centre's owner.

Caresolve consultancy director Ben Challinor said: “We were engaged by Acorns following a CQC inspection in November 2017 in which the home was rated 'inadequate'.

“We have since been working closely with both the owner and manager of the home to address all issues highlighted in the report.

“Acorns Care Centre was re-inspected by the CQC on October 8.

"During the inspection, the CQC recognised that further improvements had been made with three of the expected standards now rated as Good and the other two rated as Requires Improvement.

“We expect these standards to improve again when the newly appointed home manager has been registered with the CQC.

“Caresolve continues to work with the local authority and the CQC to ensure improvements are made and the home’s residents receive the service they want.”