Chalfont Court: failing Rickmansworth care home is 'getting back to being a care home, not just an institution'

Chalfont Court, in Uxbridge Road, provides accommodation and nursing care for up to 46 people, some of whom have dementia, learning difficulties, mental health conditions or physical disabilities and are over the age of 65.

An unannounced CQC inspection at Chalfont Court, Uxbridge Road, in September, found that it is still failing in five out of the eight categories being assessed by the care watchdog, but stressed improvements are being made under a new manager.

Inspectors probed six people’s care plans and found "no evidence" that five people consented to their care or treatment, despite the provider introducing a form to show evidence that consent was being given following concerns raised during the previous inspection in May.

The report said that concerns raised during the inspection in May had not all been "rectified". 

It said: "There was no clear evidence that people consented to their care and treatment, mental capacity assessments had not been completed in accordance with legal requirements, and people's care had not always been provided in a way that ensured their safety and welfare and they were not always appropriately referred to other health and social care professionals to ensure that their care and treatment needs were met. 

"We also found that there were no effective processes in place to safeguard people from abuse and harm, and the staff were not appropriately trained and supported in order to carry out their responsibilities in ensuring that people were provided with safe and appropriate care and treatment.

But the report highlighted that staff and relatives of people at the care home believe the service is improving.

It said: A relative we spoke with was confident that the service would make good progress. They were particularly pleased that new care staff and nurses were being employed to ensure that people were provided with consistent care. 

"They also knew some of the staff who were returning to the service, commenting that, "They were good staff, who looked after people well." 

"When asked if they felt able to raise concerns about their relative's care and treatment, they said, "I am and in equal measure, I will praise staff when I see positive care. 

"I feel that the home is getting back to being a 'care' home, not just an institution. When the home is nice, you can go back home knowing that your relative would be well looked after."

Richard Scarth, Care UK’s regional director, said: "The Care Quality Commission’s report contains some encouraging feedback, which recognises the progress being made at Chalfont Court in meeting the objectives within our agreed action plan. The report also highlights that during the CQC’s visit residents told inspectors our team at the home is caring and the support we provide meets residents’ needs.

"Since that inspection six weeks ago further improvements have been made with regards to team training, record keeping and activities planned for residents. Significant progress has also been made with the recruitment of new permanent care and nursing colleagues.

"We continue to work hard to address the outstanding issues raised by the CQC and, with the support of our senior team, the home manager and deputy manager will continue to monitor and update our action plan to ensure standards continue to improve for residents."