Little Manor Care Service in Salisbury 'requires improvement'

Little Manor Care Centre, on Manor Farm Road, was visited by the Care Quality Commission for a targeted inspection on June 22.

The service's overall rating fell from 'good' to 'requires improvement' as inspectors found that Wessex Care had a generic legionella risk assessment for all of its five care homes rather than a specific assessment to ensure risks were fully mitigated.

People in the care home were not always safely supported and there wasn't adequate oversight of health and safety requirements since audits were not completed in line with the provider's policies.

Inspectors said the medical care plans did not always have enough detail to ensure people were receiving effective and safe support.

While staff were recruited safely, they did not always receive regular supervision to support their development.

The inspection report for Little Manor was published on October 12. (Image: Google Maps)

The CQC reviewed three staff files and found one person did not have a completed induction record and none of the records reflected that staff received regular supervision in 2022.

However, a new clinical lead was recently appointed and has begun carrying out regular supervision.

'We believe that CQC has misunderstood how the service operates'

Little Manor provides short-term support to up to 30 people who have been discharged from the hospital but require support with rehabilitation.

The home provided a Covid-hospital discharge support service during the peaks of the pandemic to free up hospital capacity.

Wessex Care explained how it is not a nursing home in the traditional sense but rather a multi-disciplinary service comprising GP, nursing, paramedic, physio and occupational therapists, social workers and a range of health care assistants.

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A spokesperson for Wessex Care said the company is "disappointed" with the findings of the inspection and believes the CQC has misunderstood how Little Manor works.

They said: "We are obviously disappointed that the Care Quality Commission (CQC) proposes to rate our service as ‘Requires Improvement’ as this does not comport with the outstanding outcomes that we achieve for our patients. 

"Although we believe that CQC has misunderstood how the service operates, we are engaging in further discussions with them and will work to achieve a position of mutual understanding."

The spokesperson said Little Manor is designed with "one of the most sophisticated building safety specifications in the country", adding: "It includes a state-of-the-art misting fire suppression system and multiple specialist infection prevention and control patient protection systems, including UVC decontamination robots usually only seen in an acute hospital environment."

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People and relatives told the CQC they felt well supported and valued the involvement they had from the on-site physiotherapist.

One relative told inspectors people are treated with the greatest dignity and respect while another said: "The home is lovely and I wish they could have stayed there."

Previously, the care home was rated 'good' following an inspection in March 2016 and the service was closed for development from November 2018 until November 2020.

Inspectors only rated the service's safety and leadership but found these required improvement and Little Manor's overall rating fell to 'requires improvement'.

Wessex Care was recently inspected by its commissioners and the spokesperson said the feedback was "highly positive" and recognised the staff's "high level of competency to provide a critical and cutting-edge service".