Standards of care and nutrition need to improve at Taunton nursing home, says CQC

Inspectors found that Ruishton Court Nursing Home in Henlade was failing to meet nine of the essential standards of quality and safety; one of these being nutrition. Inspectors said that people were at risk of malnourishment and dehydration due to a lack of consistent guidance, leadership and staff knowledge in how to assess and maintain suitable levels of nutrition and hydration. Mealtimes were not conducted as a social event, and people requiring assistance were not helped in a dignified manner, said the commission. Other areas of concern were the staffing, care and welfare of people, supporting workers and respecting and involving workers. Bernadette Hanney, acting regional director of CQC in the South West, said: "It is clear that the standard of care provided by Ruishton Court has been falling far short of standards people should be able to expect." "While some people seemed to be supported properly - we were concerned that those who suffer from dementia or who were less able to speak up for themselves seemed to be treated differently. We saw people sat in the lounge with no engagement with staff. Nobody came to speak to them, check that they were all right or offer them a drink. At mealtimes people were not helped in a dignified way when being assisted to eat." "We need to ensure that people living at the home are not at any immediate risk of harm, which is why we have been working closely with Somerset County Council's adult social care service and NHS Somerset to ensure the safety of all residents. If there was evidence that people were at risk, we would take immediate action. "We will continue to monitor this nursing home. Our inspectors will return to Ruishton Court in the near future and if we find that the home is not making progress we won't hesitate to use our legal powers on behalf of the people who live there."