A Salford care home has been told it 'requires improvement' after the Care Quality Commission (CQC) found breaches of regulation regarding safe staffing levels. Worsley Lodge, on Worsley Road, run by national care firm HC-One Limited, looks after around 44 elderly people and fell short in three out of five inspection areas.
Staff shortages leave residents waiting
Inspectors' biggest critiques centred on staff shortages, which left carers seeming 'rushed' and residents waiting for essentials like breakfast or water. Residents told inspectors: “There’s not enough staff, the buzzer goes for ages, I can wait for over half an hour for a drink. Sometimes they don’t serve people meals for ages and don’t give us a drink of tea.”
The delays in care left the watchdog concerned about 'opportunities for meaningful interaction and compassionate engagement'. The CQC report said: “There were insufficient staffing levels during this inspection to meet the needs of people across both floors. We observed occasions where people with complex needs were left unattended in communal lounges. Two-hourly checks and repositioning for people that required it were often considerably delayed.”
Mixed feedback from residents and staff
Despite the criticisms, residents praised the 'good and kind' care provided by full-time staff, with families noting the home felt 'safe'. However, inspectors found staffing shortages affected staff morale, and agency staff were frequently brought in despite a lower quality of service. One staff member told inspectors: “Using so many agency staff is no good. It sets you back as it’s like doing two jobs, as we need to check the agency person is doing things right.”
The watchdog was complimentary about the home's 'engaging activities', which included pub lunches and canal boat trips.
Home responds to findings
A spokesperson for the home said: “We were pleased that the CQC recognised the caring and effective support provided at Worsley Lodge, with both areas rated Good, and that residents spoke positively about our colleagues and the care they receive. We take the CQC’s feedback seriously and we appreciate the regulator has identified areas where improvements are needed such as ensuring staffing levels meet the needs of our residents.
“We have continued to regularly review our staffing arrangements through robust governance processes, including using our dependency tool, to ensure they remain appropriate and responsive. We were encouraged by a recent local authority review which confirmed that staffing levels in the home were suitable to support residents safely.
“We remain committed to continuing to make improvements and delivering the high quality of care and support that residents and their families expect and deserve.”
