Warren Heath Residential Home in Ipswich rated inadequate by Care Quality Commission

A residential care home for older patients remains in special measures after inspectors found improvements had not been fully implemented.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) rated Warren Heath Residential Home in Felixstowe Road, Ipswich, as inadequate during a visit in March.

It retained this rating from the previous two inspections, the last of which was an unannounced visit in October last year, and was placed in special measures in November.

The watchdog found that some breaches had been tackled, while some remained, and another was discovered.

Leadership and safety of the service were inadequate, it said, while its effectiveness required improvements.

Since the last inspection, the provider made some improvements in areas such as infection control, replacing equipment, cleaning and staff training, and the home received support from health and social care professionals to make strides in this area.

However, the watchdog still felt there were shortfalls.

The CQC felt patients at Warren Heath Residential Home were not supported to have maximum control over their lives, or in a way that suited their best interests.

Records relating to people's capacity to make decisions were poor, it noted, and did not demonstrate people's choice and consent was sought in all areas of their care' and contradictions were found regarding patients independence and how it was being promoted.

Poor records could lead to people receiving 'inappropriate and unsafe' care, it revealed.

The CQC said that attempts to improve record-keeping were made, including through care plans and risk assessments.

Inspectors said the home was caring in its approach, although they raised concerns that systems would did not demonstrate a caring service was always provided.

Warren Heath home did recruit staff safely and people said there were enough staff to support them, but staffing tools did not take additional duties, such as cooking, into account.

The CQC revealed a warning notice was issued to the home after the previous inspection.

This time, inspectors found prior breaches of regulation regarding staff training and support had been addressed. However, the provider remained in breach regarding safe care and treatment and governance – and an additional concern over consent was identified.

Warren Heath Residential Home can care for up to 18 people, but only 14 were using the service at the time of the inspection.

As it remains in special measures, the provider will remain under review, and will be re-inspected within six months to check for improvements, the CQC said.

If it still remains at this rating, the body may take action, which could result in service being suspended.

Inspectors said: "We have found the provider had not fully met the requirements of the warning notice and found evidence that the provider needs to make improvements.

"We will meet with the provider after this report being published to discuss how they will make changes to ensure they improve their rating to at least good.

"In addition, we will request an action plan from the provider to understand what they will do to improve the standards of quality and safety and we will work with the local authority to monitor progress.

"We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect."

Warren Heath Residential Home has been approached for comment.