A WESTCLIFF care home has been ordered to make improvements by a government watchdog following its first inspection since it was taken over by a new provider.
The Lilacs Residential Home, based in Chalkwell Avenue was rated ‘requires improvement’ by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) which says it identified breaches in relation to medicines at the care home.
Inspectors also found “some aspects of the service were not safe”, adding there was an “increased risk of harm” to residents.
Their report states: “Medication was not always managed safely.
“Systems needed to improve to ensure people received their medicines as prescribed.
“We reviewed medication administration records and found gaps in recording, meaning we could not be assured people had received their medicines as prescribed.
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“On checking one person’s medication we found an additional two tablets, which indicated the medicines had been signed for as administered but had not been given.
“Dates of opening had not been added to liquid and some boxed medicines.
“Opening dates on liquids are important as there can be a limited time for use once opened.”
The care home was contacted by the Echo but did not respond in time for print.
At the time of the inspection on August 15, there were 16 people using the service.
The Lilacs Residential Home is now under the provider of Oak Lodge Care Ltd, after registering in June 2021.
The home was last inspected in 2018 under a previous provider and was rated ‘good’.
As well as concerns around safety, inspectors also raised concerns about the quality of care given by leaders.
However, they noted the feedback from people and staff was positive, with the report adding: “The service had received positive feedback since being taken over by the new provider and management team.
“One health professional told us ‘There has been improvements, they are moving in the right direction’.
“People were positive about the care they were receiving and one person told us, ‘The previous people were good, although I have seen improvements made since the new owners’.”
To view the full report, visit bit.ly/3D2GJYS
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