Case Study
From struggle to success: The turnaround of a troubled care home
The journey of any care home is a delicate and multifaceted one, marked by a myriad of hurdles and challenges that can potentially snowball into significant issues. If left unaddressed, these issues can escalate, impacting the quality of care provided and straining relationships with regulatory bodies. This often culminates in a poor like the Care Quality Commission (CQC) rating, as deficiencies compound and impact the home’s ability to deliver safe, effective, and compassionate care.
One care home recently reached out to Fulcrum after experiencing a snowball of issues itself and needing that extra support to break the downward spiral.
What issue did the care home have?
The care home was facing multiple challenges that were affecting its quality of care and overall reputation. The facility had a history of breaches with the CQC, leading to strained relationships and a lack of trust between the regulatory body, the care home’s manager, provider, and the Local Authority (LA).
These issues were exacerbated by a recent negative inspection report, raising concerns about the home’s ability to provide safe and effective care. Medication management problems had been identified, further highlighting the need for comprehensive improvements.
How did Fulcrum Care help?
Fulcrum stepped in with a comprehensive strategy to address the care home’s challenges. First, Fulcrum focussed on rebuilding relationships and trust between the care home and both regulatory bodies. A key step in achieving this was appointing a dedicated consultant from Fulcrum to act as a Nominated Individual (NI) during inspections and to help establish a collaborative working relationship.
Fulcrum further provided on-site support for two days per week, working closely with the care home’s team to address care planning and medication issues, ensuring that proper protocols were in place. A robust service improvement plan was implemented that closely aligned with the expectations of the CQC and the LA. This plan included the introduction of essential tools such as accident and incident reporting tools and weight/Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool (MUST) assessment tools to enhance the overall quality of care.
To strengthen the home’s governance and transparency, Fulcrum facilitated the implementation of monthly analysis for complaints and safeguarding incidents. Additionally, they introduced a Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) log that documented pending cases and provided evidence of consistent follow-ups with the DoLS team.
What were the results for the care home?
As a result of the collaborative approach taken by Fulcrum’s expert consultants, the CQC and LA noticed significant improvements during a reinspection. The rebuilt relationships, transparency, and diligent approach to addressing concerns put the care home in a much stronger position, as they await the draft report that will reflect the collaborative efforts and remarkable journey towards positive change.
The care home also saw tangible improvements in various areas. Documentation practices within the home significantly improved, as well as a transformation of the governance of care, with a heightened focus on accountability and continuous improvement.
If your care home needs help from a team of dedicated care experts, please get in touch.