A ST HELIER care home has been ordered to increase its staffing levels to meet the needs of its patients.
A recent Jersey Care Commission inspection of St Ewolds care home found that limited resources, including a lack of available employees to cover night shifts, were of ‘particular concern’.
The commission regulates and inspects a number of care services in the Island and has issued St Ewolds with a six-step improvement plan.
A report published by the JCC said that owing to the extensive needs of St Ewolds’ residents, resources could ‘become stretched’.
‘The staffing resources are a particular source of concern with reference to the high level of dependency of care receivers,’ the report said. ‘Nonetheless, the commitment and work ethic of all staff was apparent from how they carried out their work, something which was endorsed by care receivers and relatives.’
Within the report, residents praised the work of staff but one admitted ‘they are run off their feet’.
The commission noted a ‘lack of clear supervisory roles and responsibilities’ across the facility and added: ‘There was no clearly defined shift leader on night duty, which was disappointing to note. This is an area for improvement.’
As part of the home’s improvement plan, the commission said: ‘The provider must ensure that the home is staffed at all times in accordance with the high dependency needs for care receivers, recognising the five nursing beds and dementia profile. A review of the existing arrangements associated with night duty must be undertaken, with a robust plan developed.
‘Specifically, the plan must ensure that the number of staff on night duty is increased to a total of at least six, to ensure that all identified care needs can be consistently and comprehensively met.’
In response to the findings, a statement from the care home said: ‘The registered manager will endeavour to complete the review and implement an increase to six night staff as quickly as practicable. However, the current market for care staff and safe recruitment processes may mean that this may not be achievable within the three-month timescale.’
The commission said it was also concerned about the home’s ‘high turnover of staff’.
‘Since the last inspection, 14 staff have left the service including a number of very experienced and highly qualified members of the care team. New and less experienced staff may require higher levels of supervision and support,’ the report said.
