A CARE HOME in Prestatyn has been issued a priority action notice after a care inspection noted “significant improvement” was needed.

Priory House Care Home, at 61-63 Gronant Road, was visited by Care Inspectorate Wales in November 2023, with a report published in January.

The care home caters for 29 residents, having opened in 2019.

The care body highlighted several positives, praising “warm and homely” environment, the happiness of residents and their families with the care provided, and the performance and ability of staff members.

However, it also highlighted areas of improvement, such as a “lack of oversight of the quality of care” (particularly involving risk assessments) and aspects of the service medication process, which it said was “affecting people’s health”.

A summary of the report stated: “People and their families feel happy with the care they receive. Care staff are patient, encouraging and treat people with dignity and respect. People and care staff know each other well because there is a consistent staff team.

“Personal plans lack in detail and require more frequent review to ensure consistency with individual care needs. There are not always appropriate risk assessments in place, and these require further review, detail, and oversight.

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“We identified a lack of oversight of the quality of care which could have a negative effect on people’s health and well-being. This is an area which is affecting people’s health and well-being and we have issued a priority action notice.

“Care staff are content and feel supported by management to undertake their caring role. The manager and responsible individual (RI) take a hands-on approach and assist with caring roles in the event of staff sickness.

“Recent recruitment of staff has meant the staff ratios have improved, which gives staff more time to care for people. There are aspects of the service medication process which require improvement. We have therefore issued an area for improvement.

“The environment is warm and homely. People have their own rooms with personal belongings and furniture.

“We identified certain aspects of the home require significant improvement and monitoring to ensure people’s health safety and well-being. Therefore, a priority action notice has been issued.”

Priory House was issued three priority action notices, which were as follows:  

  1. The provider and management team do not have sufficient oversight of care to ensure people's health, safety and well-being. The provider is required to ensure they monitor people’s individual needs, ensure care records are updated and ensure timely links are made with health professionals
  2. The provider has not ensured care records are accurate, detailed and updated and reviewed. The provider needs to develop a system to ensure care records are reviewed and updated, to reflect individual care needs
  3. The health and safety of the environment has not been effectively monitored and overseen, which means several aspects of the environment are not safe. The provider needs to establish a robust monitoring system to ensure effective and regular review of the environment

One area of improvement was highlighted:

  • The provider is not ensuring that medication is stored and administered safely and in line with medication policy and regulation. The provider needs to ensure medication is stored safely and medication cupboards are locked after use

Priory House Care Home was approached for comment.