Special measures for care service

A CHARITY supporting Oldhamers with additional needs to live independently is working to improve its service after being placed in special measures.

Heathbank Support Services was rated “inadequate” by the Care Quality Commission following an inspection last year. The small charity, on Windsor Road, Coppice, provides personal support to help people to live as independently as possible.

Inspectors visited in October and November and identified five breaches of the Health and Social Care Act, recording issues, staff training, medicine policy and a lack of up-to-date policies and procedures.

The report added that medicine records showed people didn’t receive medicines at the correct times.

But the charity did receive praise in other areas, and had a good relationship with users.

Heathbank general manager Alan Vickers said: “We have worked with inspectors and a consultant to develop an action plan, which is now in place. We’ve made significant changes. Relatives should not be concerned and we hope that at our next inspection we will no longer be in special measures.”