Northampton care home residents at risk of malnutrition or dehydration, says CQC

Residents at a Northampton care home were at risk of malnutrition or dehydration, according to the healthcare watchdog.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has downgraded St John's Home's rating from 'good' in 2019 to 'requires improvement' after a critical inspection.

Concerns were found regarding safety and leadership at the Weston Favell care home, a report published on Monday (March 16) shows.

"Staff did not always record whether people ate and drank enough," the inspector's report reads.

"For example, we found people's food records did not always evidence that food had been offered or taken for all meals.

"People who required their fluid monitored did not have the optimum amount calculated or the intake added up to ensure they met their target. This put people at risk of malnutrition or dehydration."

The CQC inspector visited St John's on February 10, after receiving concerns about its 'infection control, personal protective equipment and staffing levels', according to the report.

They only looked at the safety and leadership aspects of the Wellingborough Road care home, which had 28 residents aged over 65 at the time of the inspection.

"The management of risk and systems and processes to ensure effective oversight of the service required improvement," the report reads.

"We found gaps in records and not all known risks had strategies in place or completed. Not all audits had been completed or actions put into place.

"Systems in place to identify when support and care was not delivered were not sufficient. For example, repositioning tasks were not consistently completed."

However, the inspector said St John's staff had access to detailed care plans which identified residents' likes, dislikes, history and important relationships.

While residents were supported by enough staff who knew them well and responded to their needs, their report added.

The CQC will now request an action plan from St John's to understand what they will do to improve the standards of quality and safety.

St John's Home was contacted for comment.