ByCharlotte Oliver, Charlotte Oliver
The lay leader of a Jewish Liverpool care home rated as requiring improvement by the Care Quality Commission has reassured supporters that the picture is far from bleak.
Stapely provides accommodation and nursing for its elderly residents, some of whom suffer from dementia. The newly-published report of CQC inspectors who visited in April notes that staff are "respectful, very caring and helpful". All "had been provided with an ongoing training plan".
Residents praised them for being "very good at their jobs".
The CQC was also complimentary about the administering of medicine at the home.
But having assessed Stapely as "good" for care and effectiveness, the inspectors found that it required improvement in the "safe", "responsive" and "well-led" categories. The overall finding was "requires improvement".
We are trying to get better all the time
Trustees' chair Philip Ettinger said the grading pointed to the home's need for redevelopment, but added that this was in hand.
"There is a lot of building work going on at the moment and our infrastructure is improving all the time.
"We have just opened a new extension with another 37 rooms and are planning to install a new kosher restaurant on site."
Particular problems reported by the CQC included the use of the basement area by catering staff.
"The basement was extremely damp, with dripping water coming from the ceiling onto wires at the entrance. The basement contained three freezers where food was stored in a room that had no glass in the window and foliage was seen growing."
Mr Ettinger wanted Stapely to be held to high standards. "They [the CQC] are stringent, but you need them to be to ensure you are delivering the highest level you can. At the end of the day, we are trying to get better all the time.
"People should read the whole report to get a full picture - that is the key.
"But on the whole we are pleased. We know what needs improving and where we are today is very different to where we will be tomorrow."