Care home rated ‘requires improvement’ after inspectors find residents put at risk
Inspectors said risks were not always managed safely
A care in Pontefract has been rated requires improvement by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) after inspectors found people were put at risk due to poor oversight, governance and leadership.
Snydale Care Home, on New Road, Old Snydale, was inspected between March and April following an increase in concerns raised to the CQC by residents and staff.
The regulator has also issued provider Logini Castleford Care Home Ltd with a warning notice for failing to meet regulations relating to good governance.
The home, which provides residential care for up to 50 older people, including people living with dementia, was rated requires improvement across all five inspection categories – safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led.
Inspectors said the provider did not always ensure people's individual needs and preferences were met, while risks were not always managed safely and staff did not always have sufficient information to support residents or manage their health conditions.
The report states: "Overall, people were put at risk due to poor oversight, governance and leadership. The provider was in breach of legal regulation relating to safe care and treatment, staffing and governance arrangements."
The CQC found staffing levels were inadequate, with inspectors observing people left waiting for extended periods for assistance.
During one visit, the home's manager was seen helping with care tasks and serving meals to support staff.
One member of staff told inspectors: "There are only two staff per floor and it's not right. At times there hasn't been anywhere near enough staff, which puts pressure on us, and we feel we haven't given adequate care."
Residents' experiences were mixed. While inspectors observed caring interactions between staff and residents, some people reported long waits for help.
One resident said: "I have to wait when I press the buzzer between 10 minutes and an hour. Once I was left on a bedpan for so long, I fell asleep."
Inspectors also found some residents, particularly those living with dementia, lacked meaningful activities and social interaction.
On one day of the inspection, two people remained in their bedrooms all day with limited interaction from staff.
Despite the concerns, inspectors found staff generally treated residents with kindness and respect, legal safeguards around deprivation of liberty were being followed, and people continued to receive support from GPs and other healthcare professionals when needed.