Eccles care home where resident died told it ‘requires improvement’ by watchdog

An inspection of a Salford care home prompted by the death of a resident has found it requires improvement.

Barton Brook Care Home in Eccles was assessed by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) between August and September.

The inspection took place after the health and social care watchdog was alerted to a serious injury sustained by a person living in the home who subsequently died.

The home was told by the CQC it had breached a legal requirement in relation to good governance and requires improvement in four areas in relation to safety, care, responsiveness and leadership.

Barton Brook Care Home says it delivers the kindest of care to all its residents, offers choice, independence and dignity and ensures consistent good quality care, meeting the changing needs of its Residents.

But a report published on 15 December by the CQC said the home was not performing as well as it should to support 104 residents spread across four separate units.

Inspectors found the care home did not always make sure the right skilled and experienced staff were deployed to meet people’s needs. They did not always make sure staff received effective support and supervision.

Medicines and treatments were not always safe and met people’s needs, capacities and preferences and workers at Barton Brook Care Home did not always provide care to meet people’s needs that was safe and supportive.

Some of the areas within the care home, which is run by Ultimate Care Limited, were found to be visibly unclean and had an unpleasant smell.

According to the CQC, staff working at Barton Brook did not always feel they could speak up about concerns and that their voice would be heard.

Staff consistently told the regulator they did not feel valued or positively engaged in the ongoing changes at Barton Brook. Some recognised the need for change but felt it was too ‘top down’ and not collaborative enough in nature.

But the CQC commended the Eccles-based care home for treating people with kindness, empathy during their time at the home.

Barton Brook was rated ‘good’ in effectiveness – meaning inspectors found sufficient evidence that people’s care, treatment and support achieved good outcomes and promoted a good quality of life.

One resident said: “I like to have a laugh with the staff and they are caring.” While another person living within the care home said that the staff are “lovely but just too rushed and preoccupied.”

The provider sought to ensure people’s care and support was effective by assessing their health, care, wellbeing and communication needs with them.

Ultimate Care Limited has been approached for comment.