Nursing home run by the community in order to hire more staff after a “big disappointment” after inspection

A community-run nursing home that has been improved by inspectors is hiring more staff ahead of a renovation next year.

The Rosedale Center in Bishopsgarth, Stockton, saw the Care Quality Commission rating go down from good to bad in June following a watch dog visit.

The visit revealed shortcomings in terms of safety and leadership – with some concerns about how infection prevention guidelines for Covid are being followed.

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The investigation also found that workers felt they needed more manpower to deal with it – especially at night.

Councilors from the last Committee on Adult Social Welfare and Health heard that a plan of action was underway at the Stockton House.

Admission to the Marske Lane site was halted after the CQC visit – with a 10-point plan to address concerns, including hiring more night staff.

Council papers also indicated that two assistant managers will be hired with a home renovation scheduled for February next year.

Ann Workman, director of adult and health at the council, said they shared “great disappointment” with the home’s move from “good” to “needs improvement”.

She explained that the step-down service at the Rosedale Center – admitting patients from the hospital – meant admission and discharge was much faster than a normal nursing home.

A report for the meeting also showed that the home was having a difficult time recruiting a manager after its former boss resigned in 2017 after 22 years at the helm.

Ms. Workman also announced that there had been 17 applications for the two assistant manager positions – adding that she was very pleased with the progress made on the action plan so far.

“There is a great deal of commitment from all the employees involved,” she added.

Cllr Ann McCoy, Cabinet Member for Social Welfare for Adults, said staff had worked very hard under great pressure from Covid – and were “devastated” by the inspection result.

But she was proud of the number of applicants vying for the top two positions in the face of the industry’s recruiting battles.

Cllr McCoy added, “I can assure the committee that everyone is working to reinstate the CQC, improve this assessment and lift the embargo.

“Everyone is working so very hard and we really need to remember that the people have been under pressure.

“There is a lot of fatigue throughout the industry because of the pressure and stress.”

Questions were raised about the impact of home admissions and how to deal with hospital discharges in nursing homes.

Ms. Workman said there are no residents in Rosedale at the moment and layoffs are being held in other beds in the district.

The director also hoped the embargo on entries to Rosedale would be lifted this week.

In closing, Chairwoman Cllr Evaline Cunningham said the inspection was really disappointing for Rosedale, but hoped she was now “on the way to recovery.”

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