Brampton Lodge in Appleton told it needs to improve by inspectors

Representatives of the Care Quality Commission visited Brampton Lodge in July for an unannounced inspection.

A recently published inspection report has confirmed that the Bridge Lane site in Appleton is now rated ‘requires improvement’.

It is also graded requiring improvement in the safe, effective, well-led inspection, caring, and responsive areas.

In its last rating in 2020, it was ‘good’.

Brampton Lodge provides accommodation, nursing, personal and intermediate care for up to 59 older people – some of whom are living with dementia.

At the time of the inspection, the service was providing accommodation to 57 people.

The report states that the residential home is in the process of a change of management and as a result, inconsistency was found.

Inspectors said: “Brampton Lodge is in the process of a change of management, as a result, we found inconsistency in the recording of information and care planning due to systems being reviewed and updated.

“The governance systems were in the process of being implemented and existing systems being updated.

“Some care plans had been updated and contained personalised information however, others were task-based and lacked person-centred details. Good practice regarding the safe administration of medicine was not always being followed.

“The oversight of medicine was not robust enough to ensure people were safely given their medicines.
“The deployment of staff within the home was not always appropriate, we observed people being left for long periods of time without their assessed level of support.

“People were not always provided with a choice, some people had to get up in the morning when was convenient for the staff rather than when they wanted to.

“People were not always supported at mealtimes which resulted in people eating cold food, no encouragement was provided for those that required this level of support, and food choices were limited.”

However, some positive aspects were highlighted in the report – including how residents at the home felt safe.

The report reads: “Health and safety checks were in place and were being monitored as required.

“Policies and procedures were in place to safeguard people from abuse and staff were aware of their own roles and responsibilities. People told us they felt safe.”

Jamie Braganza, a director at the Anavo Group who now owns Brampton Lodge, has responded to the rating.

He said: “We are disappointed with the results of the latest CQC inspection report of Brampton Lodge, and have already begun implementing measures to address the challenges and concerns raised.

"This includes the appointment of a new Clinical Lead.

"Our foremost concern is always the safety and wellbeing of our residents, and we are committed to providing premium healthcare facilities and delivering quality care that is fully compliant with the CQC’s high clinical standards.”