THE Care Quality Commission has ordered improvements in the care given at sheltered accommodation in Gorse Covert.

Mosslands supported housing on Alderwood Close was subjected to an unannounced CQC inspection in August, with a subsequent report finding that improvements were needed in the care provided at the accommodation by community interest company Catalyst Choices.

Inspectors found that improvements were required in the service’s effectiveness and leadership.

During the first inspection of the service since it was transferred to Catalyst Choices, the CQC found that audits had been ineffective in addressing shortfalls in staff supervision, appraisals and training.

In addition, shortfalls in medication and training that had been identified by audits had not been fully addressed.

Several staff members required refresher courses in some areas, with examples of training in medicine administration, health and safety, food hygiene and moving and handling having expired noted by inspectors.

The CQC added that this may have meant that staff were not working ‘in line with current best practice’.

Senior staff member absence due to sickness had had a ‘direct impact’ on the level of formal supervision and observed supervision given to the staff team at the Mosslands, with inspectors finding that one worker had not been formally supervised in seven months.

One resident had been assessed as being at risk of malnutrition by Warrington Borough Council, with the CQC stating that ‘more robust care planning’ was needed – although it added that ‘unrealistic expectations’ had been place on the agency who were ‘not in a position’ to fulfil this role.

But when spoken to service users, 17 of which require personal care from Catalyst Choices, said staff members went ‘above and beyond’ with a spokesman for Catalyst Choices highlighting that the report stated it was ‘safe, caring and responsive’.

The spokesman said: “Naturally we are disappointed that the inspection has found improvements required in two out of five inspection areas, although it does highlight that a safe, caring and responsive service is provided.

“We were already in the process of addressing the area that have been pointed out in this inspection and actions are well underway.

“The report does highlight that despite improvement being needed in some areas that this doesn’t adversely affect the people living at Mosslands and staff have good relationships with people who use the service and are attentive to their needs.”