A RESIDENTIAL CARE home in Widnes has received an overall rating of 'requires improvement' for the second consecutive time.

A planned inspection of Oakmeadow Community Support Centre, Peelhouse Lane, carried out last December by the Quality Care Commission (CQC) found that it needed improvement in the following areas:

Is the service effective? Is the service responsible? Is the service well-led?

Although it was found that some improvements had been made since the last visit carried out in November 2018 which showed four areas in need of improvement, the report states significant improvement was still needed in monitoring risk, the appearance of the environment, care records, activities, staff supervision and management oversight.

The report read: "On this inspection we identified breaches in regulation relating to staff training, supervision and appraisal both in the care home and the domiciliary service. Training and staff supervision were not consistent across the service. Staff told us that they had not always received appropriate training to ensure that they were equipped to fulfil their role.

"People's care and support needs were mostly reflected in their plans, however not all support plans were complete and accurate. Details about health and care plans relating to End of Life care for those people receiving support in the community and health led therapies for those people living in the care home were not always available. This was a further breach of regulation."

It also identified a breach in regulation relating to governance. Systems in place were not effective in identifying the shortfalls in the service.

Although people in the care home were offered a good selection of food and drink, records relating to weight and food/fluid intake were inconsistent and did not always reflect the reason as to why they were recording the information.

A recommendation was made in relation to this.

The report added that people supported by both services had good access to health professionals to support them with their recovery and rehabilitation.

"At the last inspection the home was described as industrial and in need of decoration. The home has since been decorated, the community team offices moved from the home to more suitable locations. The home was bright, fresh and clean. The walls still lack any art work and this was discussed with the registered manager.

"Following this report a further inspection will take place with the provider to discuss how they will make changes to ensure they improve their rating to at least good."

The report added that if any concerning information was received prior to the scheduled visit they may inspect sooner.

The community support centre provides personal care for up to 32 people. The home is divided into Oakmeadow on the lower floor providing intermediate care, and Hawthornes on the upper floor offering care an a period of rehabilitation.

The aim of the home is to prepare and enable people to go home following discharge from hospital or to prevent people being admitted to hospital following a specific event.

It is also registered for personal care and this service supports people with personal care in their own homes following discharge from either hospital or from Oakmeadow.