A state-of-the-art care home has been given a “requires improvement” rating after a government watchdog found the service is “not always safe”.

The Care Quality Commission highlighted that one resident at Harrier Lodge in Whitstable was at a “high risk of choking” - but staff had no information about how to minimise the risk.

The purpose-built £5.8m facility opened its doors in January 2019. Located between the new and old Thanet Ways, it provides full-time residential, nursing and specialist dementia care for up to 65 older people.

Facilities at the Care UK-run home include its own cinema, hairdressing salon and café.

But after a visit in December, inspectors found care plans linked to risk assessments did not always give staff the guidance required to keep people safe.

“For example, one person was at high risk of choking, there was no information for staff about how the person should be supported to minimise the risk of choking,” the report published last week states.

“Information about the amount of thickener the person used in their drinks to minimise the risk of choking was inconsistent.”

Inspectors also found one person with a catheter had no information about their catheter care.

Another person’s plan did not tell staff the signs to look for if the catheter was not working - which meant there was a risk staff would not know a bag had not been changed.

After the inspection, manager Diane Collins sent an action plan to review all risk assessments in the next month.

CQC inspectors also found the care home was not always well-led to assure high-quality care, supported learning and innovation, and an open, fair culture.

“Systems were not always effective at ensuring staff had the most up to date information about people’s needs,” the report added.

“People’s care plans were recorded on a computer system and a printed copy was stored in a paper file. Staff told us they generally used the paper file as reference on a daily basis.

“Some files had not had the most up to date information placed into the files.

“For example, one person’s guidance around the consistency of their food and drink had recently changed.

“The printed copy had not been updated to include this information.

“This put the person at risk of receiving care which did not meet their needs as staff might be referring to out of date guidance.”

Despite this, inspectors found people were “treated with kindness and respect by staff” and residents were supported to stay healthy.

Regional director Angi Knight said: “The CQC looks at five key areas and three of them are rated as good.

“It was pleasing to see the inspectors reported residents were treated with kindness and respect. I am confident the care being provided at this home is of a high standard but accept we did have some shortcomings in the way records are kept and accessed by carers.

“It’s important to stress that the CQC report does state that no-one came to any harm.

“We have already put a plan in place which ensures that every care plan is audited by the home manager, all team members undergo a full two weeks of training before starting and the processes behind printed care plans has been tightened up.”

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