Chesford Grange Care Home

Updated 20 December 2024

Date of Assessment: 4 February to 20 February 2025. The service is a residential care home with nursing care. The service provides support to older and young people younger adults living with dementia, mental health conditions, physical disabilities and sensory impairments. This assessment was carried out due to concerns we received about the care, support and treatment of people living in the home.

Lessons had not been learnt since the previous inspection. Risks to people were not always managed safely. Assessments of people’s needs were not always reflective of people’s current support needs. People’s medicines were not always managed or stored safely. The home environment was not always monitored safely, and infection prevention control measures were not sufficient to minimise against potential infection risks. Clinical staffing levels did not always meet the provider’s dependency levels and staff did not always receive the training and support to deliver safe care. People were at times subject to restrictions without legal authorisation. People’s dignity, privacy and autonomy were not always promoted. Leaders did not create a culture based on listening, learning and trust. Governance and auditing systems were not effective when monitoring risks to people.

However, a new manager had recently started in post. Staff were positive about the new changes and felt confident in the new managers leadership.

We have found 3 breaches of regulation at the service relating to safe care and treatment, safeguarding and good governance. In instances where CQC have decided to take civil or criminal enforcement action against a provider, we will publish this information on our website after any representations and / or appeals have been concluded. We have found an additional breach of regulation relating to dignity and respect. We asked the provider for an action plan in response to the concerns found at this assessment.

Updated 20 December 2024

People were generally positive about the quality of their care. They told us they felt safe with the staff who supported them. People felt able to complain and felt confident action would be taken and improvements would be made. However, some relatives told us when they raised concerns in the past, these were not always acted on promptly. People and relatives told us there were enough staff on duty and they did not have to wait long before receiving support. People told us they received their medicines safely and staff supported them to access health professionals when needed. People told us staff treated them with kindness and respect. However, our observations found people’s dignity, privacy and autonomy were not always promoted. People told us they had choice and control, and staff supported them to maintain their independence. However, our observations found people were at times subject to restrictions without legal authorisation or best interest decisions. People told us they lived in a clean home and were supported with their personal care when needed. People told us staff knew them well and were responsive to their needs.

While the people we spoke to expressed that they were generally happy with their care, our assessment found elements of care did not meet the expected standards.