Walsall care home out of special measures but still requires improvement

However Crossways Residential Home, on Highgate Road in Walsall, has still been told it needs to improve by the health watchdog.

The home was rated inadequate and placed in special measures in October last year after a catalogue of failings were found. The home was reinspected in December but the Care Quality Commission (CQC) found no improvements, instead finding six people had been physically assaulted by one resident and another resident had shouted 'I wish I was dead in view of others'.

However, after an inspection in April, the home has finally dragged itself out of special measures and is no longer rated inadequate having been bumped up to requires improvement. However shortcomings were still noted by inspectors.

A report, prepared by the CQC, said: "People were not always protected by a staff team who understood how to manage risks to them effectively.

"People were sometimes moved in way that increased the risk of injury to them. People were however protected by a staff team who understood how to recognise and report any signs of potential abuse or mistreatment of people.

"People were supported by sufficient numbers of care staff. However, staff were not effectively deployed in order to ensure they were available to meet people's needs. People were supported by care staff who had been recruited safely.

"People mostly received their medicines as prescribed. However, some improvements were needed with the administration of topical creams. Steps to make these improvements were already in place at the time of the inspection.

"People were supported by sufficient numbers of care staff. However, staff were not effectively deployed in order to ensure they were available to meet people's needs.

"People were supported by care staff who had been recruited safely. People mostly received their medicines as prescribed. However, some improvements were needed with the administration of topical creams. Steps to make these improvements were already in place at the time of the inspection.

"People were mostly supported in a dignified way, however further support at mealtimes was required. Most care staff were kind and caring in their approach however this was not consistent across the staff team."

The home's safety, effectiveness, leadership, responsiveness and level of care were all rated requires improvement.

Crossways was contacted by the Express & Star but declined to comment.