Care home in report shame

Dryclough Manor, home for the elderly in Royton.

AN old people’s home has been ordered to make improvements after it failed in four out of five areas during an unannounced visit by the Care Quality Commission.

Dryclough Manor on Shaw Road, Royton, has space for 42 elderly residents but fears about a lack of staff have been raised after inspectors said action was needed on the care and welfare of residents, safety and suitability of the premises, staffing and support, monitoring and record-keeping.

Residents did not always receive staff support quickly enough, according to the report. Examples included one old person who had missed their lunch while waiting for a delayed ambulance who received little input to reduce their worries.

Another resident asking to go to their room was told they would have to wait until staff were available. Two other residents were seen trying to attract staff attention more than once.

Staff appeared rushed, the atmosphere was not calm and residents were heard apologising for asking for help.

One relative said they had to take a loved one to hospital because of staff shortages while another said her relative had missed a dental appointment for the same reason.

The commission said employees were unsettled by recent changes and the departure of a former manager, which they had not been told about.

The report added: “We had to wait several minutes to gain entry and then several more before anyone was available to speak with us. We observed a senior member of staff stop in the middle of a medications round to answer a persistently ringing phone.”

Overall, the home appeared to be clean. However, one person had complained about their relative’s room, saying a bin had not be emptied for several days and paper towels, toilet roll and face cloths had not been replenished.

Inspectors said some bedrooms looked tired while others appeared freshly decorated. A strong odour was reported in one room.

An acting manager had come from another of the company’s homes in Sheffield and was reviewing staffing at the time of inspection in September.

A director for Dryclough Manor said the firm had since made great strides in correcting shortcomings and a new, highly-experienced manager had been appointed.
For a full version of this story read the Chronicle in print or via the digital iChron and eChron editions on mobile and laptop.