A CARE home that was put into special measures this year has had a complete overhaul to prove it ‘puts residents first’, management says.
Holly Tree Lodge, on Sceptone Grove, Shafton, was previously labelled inadequate in all areas by the Care Quality Commission who carried out an unannounced visit in March this year.
For the past six months, its staff have worked closely with the CQC to address the shortcomings outlined on the report and have refurbished all of the rooms in the care home.
Andrew Savage, managing director of Trust Care which own the care home, said the CQC report was an eye opener and flagged up issues they needed to resolve.
He said: “When we got the CQC report it was obviously a really difficult time for all of us but we immediately thought about what we could do to improve. We learned lessons, we listened and we made changes.
“We ensured that relatives were kept in the loop and have regular meetings with them.
“We also hired a new home manager and completely changed systems that were failing.”
The care home has also given all carers an electronic care planner and abolished paper hand over sheets.
Andrew said: “The reason we have done this is because it’s a much more efficient way of looking after the residents.
“The carers can constantly input information about residents and not just have two sentences at the end of a shift. We want to show that all of the decisions we make have the residents at the forefront of our mind.”
Previously, the CQC had concerns regarding nutrition with records being found to be inaccurate and some residents to be at ‘high risk’ of malnutrition.
The care home has implemented a varied menu with pictures for the residents to see.
The electronic care planner also alerts carers to the residents who may be at risk.
The dining room has also been decorated in a Coronation Street theme.
The care home’s corridors and residents rooms have also been refurbished in different styles including a woodland theme, and a memory walk way.
Julie Afsar, home manager, explained they have chosen the colours and themes to help the residents with dementia.
She said: “The home is for residents with dementia and we have made sure the colours throughout help the residents become more receptive.
“We have gone through lots of research and picked ideas that we think will benefit the residents most.
“The rooms have also been decorated and the choices were made by the residents themselves and relatives.”
The care home has also carried out a full and varied activities plan led by activity manager Ali Harris.
Ali believes that the changes will be beneficial to the residents and thinks it is important for relatives to know that dementia does not mean end of life.
She said: “I think the changes that have been made are brilliant I am so impressed with everyone’s hard work.
“We ensure we listen to the residents and let them make a choice rather than them be forced into an activity they really don’t like. We get to know the residents personally and we can cater to what they enjoy.”
The CQC revisited Holly Tree Lodge on October 10 and the initial inspection feedback is positive and states that a lot of the provision now in place has improved the home.
