Case Study
Swift intervention ushers in new era a for struggling care home post-CQC inspection
The CQC has various powers of enforcement but one of the most serious is Section 31 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 Act which gives the CQC the power to impose, remove or vary conditions of registration, with immediate effect. As such, it can have a serious impact and consequences on a care home.
Fulcrum was recently called into action after a care home found themselves in a precarious situation following a recent CQC inspection that saw them handed a Section 31. The hapless owner had purchased the care home less than three months prior and was anxious that his recent investment was in jeopardy.
What issue did the care home have?
The inspection unearthed a range of regulatory breaches that left the CQC contemplating enforcement and even possible closure of the facility. Notably, the report identified deficiencies in risk management related to a resident’s sexual disinhibitions, broken nurse call bells, and unresolved actions from a previous fire risk assessment. These findings raised concerns about resident wellbeing and the care provider’s reputation.
How did Fulcrum Care help?
In response to the urgency of the situation, Fulcrum swiftly allocated an experienced consultant to orchestrate a comprehensive intervention. Collaborating closely with the care home’s owner and manager, the consultant formulated a multifaceted action plan to address the challenges identified.
First, a robust risk assessment framework was implemented to ensure resident safety remained paramount. Detailed care plans and risk assessments were created, aimed at effectively managing risks, especially around the area of concern associated with a resident’s sexual disinhibitions.
An in-depth audit of accidents and incidents was undertaken to identify cases warranting reporting to the CQC. The lessons learned from this were shared with the care home’s staff to enhance incident management protocols. Whilst, the consultant also organised further staff meetings to foster collaboration and the implementation of a staff file audit tracker aimed to uncover further areas for operational enhancement.
Fulcrum closely monitored actions carried out by third parties (eg. faulty nurse call) to ensure that the bells were now functioning correctly and that the necessary corrective actions had been taken.
What were the results for the care home?
The consultant’s presence provided reassurance not only to the CQC inspectors but also to the care provider, instilling confidence in the facility’s commitment to rectify identified issues.
A structured action plan for addressing the concerns outlined in the Section 31 notice was put in place, encompassing carefully developed care plans, risk assessments, and incident management protocols. The outcome of Fulcrum’s efforts led to the CQC being satisfied with the actions taken which resulted in mitigating a “worst case scenario.”
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