Walfinch Reigate & Horsham

“The service registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in January 2023. This is the provider’s first assessment and rating since registering.”

“The provider was in breach of legal regulations relating to care and treatment, good governance and notification of incidents.”

“The registered manager had left the service with immediate effect the week before our assessment. The managing director was leading the service whilst recruitment for a new registered manager was taking place.”

“Care records were not always accurate regarding people’s needs and risks associated with their care. Medicine management was not always safe, as administration records were not completed despite staff preparing medicine doses. Staff had not always completed training relevant to the needs of the people they supported and often worked long hours without any breaks. We identified that one staff member had also not received adequate induction or training before delivering care to a person. Staff did not always follow the provider’s infection prevention and control policy. Actions to prevent the recurrence of accidents and incidents were not always taken, leaving people at risk of harm.”

“There was a lack of governance and oversight at the service from all levels of the management team, which meant opportunities for improving areas of care delivery and documentation were missing. However, the provider had a strong vision for the service he wanted to deliver. Further work was required to ensure the regulation requirements were met within this vision.”

“In instances where CQC has begun a process of regulatory action, we may publish this information on our website after any representations and/or appeals have been concluded, if the action has been taken forward.”

“We have requested that the provider develop an action plan in response to the concerns identified during this assessment.”