A KIDDERMINSTER care home’s ‘inadequate’ rating has not changed following a second unannounced inspection by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

Coppice Lodge, in Walter Nash Road East, was inspected on April 10 after the CQC received concerns about the management of people’s choking risks at the home. The care home was previously put in special measures following a routine inspection undertaken in January, which revealed the service breached five health and safety regulations, and highlighted hygiene, safeguarding and safety issues.

In the recent April inspection, the home was assessed for safety and how well led the service was, specifically linked to people with swallowing needs.

Inspectors sampled four people’s care records to identify any risks of chocking, as well as medicine documents, and checked the systems and procedures in place to manage risks.

Due to the needs of the residents, people could not provide the two inspectors with information about the care they received in relation to meeting their swallowing difficulties or how the management team checked for risks, and observed how staff assisted people to eat their meals.

The report summary, which outlines the experience of people at the home, says “staff had not always detailed the full description of the food and drinks provided to safely meet people’s needs” adding that management were continuing to develop their quality checks to assure people with specific eating and drinking needs had these met “effectively and safely".

Inspectors said people were supported by staff who understood how to prepare and serve food and drinks so people could “safely and comfortably” enjoy them, and that people received their medicine in a way which met their individual swallowing needs.

The management of the home has changed since the previous inspection, and the report says “commitment and enthusiasm to implement the changes needed to improve staff practices so risks to people from choking were consistently managed and mitigated".

The care home will be inspected again within six months and, if not enough improvement is made, this could lead to the cancellation of the home's registration.

The residential home provides accommodation with personal care for up to eight people with learning disabilities. Six people lived at the home at the time of inspection.

Coppice Lodge refused to comment on the follow-up inspection.