Two Greater Manchester care homes have been told they need to make improvements after a visit from inspectors. Heaton House Care Home, in Bolton, and Limefield Court Retirement Home, in Bury, both received critical reports from healthcare watchdog the Care Quality Commission (CQC). Concerns were raised over staffing, medicine management, the quality of food and emergency planning.
Both homes were rated 'requires improvement'. Heaton House received a visit from inspectors as a follow up to a previous negative report. Improvements had been made in some areas, but it remained in breach of legal regulations in others. Limefield Court was inspected as a result of issues identified at another home run by the same provider.
Bolton inspections
Heaton House Care Home, in Greenmount Lane, was told it 'requires improvement' by inspectors. Concerns were raised over safety, effectiveness and leadership at the home. However, it is rated 'good' for caring and responsiveness which was based on previous inspection findings. At the last inspection, the home had been found to be in breach of a number of legal regulations.
Inspectors found it remained in breach of governance and record keeping requirements, but was no longer in breach of regulations around medicine management and staff recruitment, training and support. The CQC said improvements were 'evident in several areas', but there were 'ongoing weaknesses in oversight systems, which had not consistently identified or addressed inaccuracies, omissions and inconsistencies within care records'.
Omissions, inconsistencies or contradictions reduced inspectors' assurance that people were receiving safe care. Two people were at risk of choking, but their dietary needs were not listed in their choking risk assessment despite the omission having been raised at the previous inspection. Some people raised concerns about staffing levels, saying they did not always receive prompt assistance. Feedback on food and mealtimes was 'mostly negative' with many people not satisfied with the quality and variety of meals.
Other Bolton services rated 'good'
Dr Chidananda Barua, in Farnworth, was rated 'good' by the CQC this week. Inspectors judged that care at the service was 'safe' and people could access support when they needed it. The premises were described as 'well-maintained', 'accessible', 'clean' and 'tidy'. Staffing levels were considered to be 'sufficient to meet patient needs' and recruitment was done 'safely'.
The practice monitored 'high priority groups' to ensure they attended check-ups. When people did not attend, they were contacted and encouraged to rebook. Some 95pc of patients responding to a national survey said they were treated with care and concern. People said they were satisfied with their care.
VCare Professionals Ltd also received a 'good' rating. This was the St Helens Road homecare agency's first inspection and at the time just one person was using the service. Staff were said to communicate well and keep the person informed about changes affecting their care. The service user and their family were confident risks were 'professionally managed' and staff had the 'skills and knowledge needed to provide safe care'.
A relative said: "They [staff] arrive on time and always ask [person] what they want today. They [leaders] schedule the right person for the right job." The provider's approach was 'person-centred' and supported the person's health, wellbeing and independence. A relative added: "[Person] has got his dignity back and has built good relationships with them." "Caring is provided with compassion, love and care."
Swan Lane Medical Centre is the third Bolton service to be judged 'good' this week. It offered safe care in a 'visibly clean' and 'suitably supplied' environment. Staff had completed relevant training and were recruited safely. The service provided extra support to patients with or at risk of diabetes, holding regular education events. Patients said staff were 'happy to help and make you feel comfortable'.
Bury and Salford results
Limefield Court Retirement Home, in Bury, was rated 'requires improvement' by the CQC. The watchdog said it carried out the inspection due to concerns raised at a different home run by provider Lily Care Ltd. Concerns were raised over safety and leadership, but effectiveness, caring and responsiveness were judged to be 'good'. Assessments and plans did not always contain clear guidance on risk management.
People said they did not always receive prompt attention when using their call bells. Decor at the home was 'dated' and communal areas would 'benefit from decluttering', inspectors said. Some fire safety actions identified in 2024 had not been completed and the home's emergency grab bag did not contain 'key information'. Some areas of medicine management were judged 'inconsistent' or 'unsafe'.
However, people said they felt safe at the home and inspectors saw staff treating residents with dignity and respect. Interactions were described as 'warm and good humoured'. One resident said: "Most of the staff have been here a good while. You never feel you are a nuisance here. I can't grumble about the place."
Arden Court, in Eccles, was another service rated 'good' by inspectors. People at the care home were supported by 'enough' staff who had the 'skills and knowledge' to give safe care. Recruitment was judged to be 'extremely robust' and staff received a 'thorough induction' along with ongoing training. Care was reviewed to ensure it continued to be effective and staff acted in people's best interests.
There were 'meaningful relationships' between staff and service users, and residents felt 'listened to and involved'. They also felt 'very safe' living at the home. One relative said: "They love it here. The staff go out of their way to create a relationship." A service user said: "The staff look after me; they pop in and check on me. They will do anything for you; they treat you as a person."
Scovell Street drug and alcohol rehab unit was also judged to be 'good'. The unit, which is women only, was considered to be safe, with all areas described as 'clean, well-equipped, well-furnished, well-maintained and fit for purpose'. Staff understood how to protect clients from abuse and a 'full range' of specialists were accessible to meet their needs. People were treated with 'compassion and kindness' and their privacy and dignity were protected.
Stockport practice rated 'good'
Gately Medical Practice, in Cheadle, was also rated 'good'. Inspectors said there were enough staff with the 'right skills, qualifications and experience'. People could access care and treatment when they needed it. However, some patient monitoring was not being completed correctly putting them at potential risk. People were positive about the quality of care and said staff treated them with kindness and compassion.
