A CARE home rated as inadequate due to multiple breaches of regulation, including the death of a resident, is no longer in special measures.

Following an inspection by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in January, Le Moors Care Home in Clayton-le-Moors was rated as 'requires improvement', an upgrading from the 'inadequate' rating which was issued after their last inspection in August 2021.

A report published on April 23 found the care home still required improvement in three of the key areas, including being 'safe', 'effective' and 'well-led'. 

The CQC report stated: "The last rating for this service was inadequate published August 10 and there were multiple breaches of regulation.

"The provider completed an action plan after the last inspection to show what they would do and by when to improve.

"At this inspection though improvements had been made, not enough improvement had been made and the provider was still in breach of regulations.

"We have identified breaches in relation to; staffing and premises, and made recommendations in relation to training, visiting and activities.

"This service has been in special measures since August 10.

"During this inspection the provider demonstrated that improvements have been made.

"The service is no longer rated as inadequate overall or in any of the key questions.

"Therefore, this service is no longer in special measures."

At the CQC's last inspection, Le Moors had failed to ensure sufficient numbers of staff were deployed, particularly at weekends, and at this inspection, not enough improvement had been made which meant the service was still in breach of regulations.

However improvements had been made in the recruiting of staff and preventing and controlling infection and inspectors were satisfied enough to raise the rating in the 'safe' area from 'inadequate' to 'requires improvement'.

In the key area of 'effective', the rating remained as 'requires improvement' as inspectors noted that although some improvements had been made, the effectiveness of people's care, treatment and support did not always achieve good outcomes or was inconsistent.

For example, inspectors found people had insufficient access to toilets after they saw a person having to wait outside the only open toilet on the first floor, in their nightwear, because a visitor was in it.

The report also stated: "We found the bathroom with the second toilet upstairs locked on each of the times we tried to open it. We discussed this with the provider and the registered manager. We were not assured by their response."

At the last inspection the 'well-led' area was rated as inadequate.

At this inspection 'well-led' had improved to requires improvement, which still meant the service management and leadership was inconsistent and inspectors found that leaders and the culture they created did not always support the delivery of high-quality, person-centred care.

Separately, a visit took place at the premises in February 2021 after concerns were raised over choking risks and dietary requirements - potential issues which had arisen from the death of a resident at the care home - and although not part of this current inspection, the CQC is continuing to investigate the circumstance relating to the death of the person who lived at the service. 

The report concluded: "We will meet with the provider following this report being published to discuss how they will make changes to ensure they improve their rating to at least good.

"We will work with the local authority to monitor progress.

"We will return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner."

A spokesperson for Regal Care, which operates Le Moors, said: "The management and staff team have worked extremely hard to improve quality and compliance of the Le Moors service, the CQC inspection identified that all our residents are cared for with compassion and the staff know the needs of our residents very well. 

"We have worked hard to bring about improvements at the home over recent months and will continue to further embed these improvements, we are pleased to see that the CQC inspection report acknowledges the improvements which have been made since the time of the previous inspection. 

"CQC rated the home as ‘requires improvement’ but we have achieved two 'good' ratings and we are confident that the service will achieve all 'good' ratings when is re-inspected by the CQC in the future."