- Care home
Baylham Care Home
Assessment report published 11 September 2025
Contents
Ratings
Our view of the service
Date of assessment: 10 June to 23 July 2025
Baylham Care Centre is a nursing home providing accommodation, nursing and personal care for up to 55 older people, some of whom living with dementia and/or have nursing needs. People were accommodated across 3 floors, the lower ground floor, ground floor and the upper floor. We carried out this inspection and in response to a number of concerns we received from whistleblowers, relatives and partner agencies.
We identified 5 breaches of regulation relating to safe care and treatment, safeguarding, dignity and respect, premises and equipment and good governance. There had been a significant lack of oversight at the service and quality assurance systems and processes were ineffective.
Incidents involving distressed behaviours and safeguarding concerns were not always investigated thoroughly and escalated where required, there was a failure to notify CQC of incidents as is legally required. People were not protected from harm, nor were people safely monitored or supported.
People’s care was not always person-centred, risks to people were not safely assessed, monitored and mitigated and people were not always protected from abuse and improper treatment. We identified concerns relating to the environment, medicines management, deployment of staff and record keeping. There was a failure to identify, monitor and address shortfalls relating to the experiences of people which meant poor standards of care were widespread.
In instances where CQC has begun a process of regulatory action, we may publish this information on our website after any representations and/or appeals have been concluded, if the action has been taken forward.
This service is being placed in special measures. The purpose of special measures is to ensure that services providing inadequate care make significant improvements. Special measures provide a framework within which we user our enforcement powers in response to inadequate care and provide a time frame within which providers must improve the quality of the care they provide.
People's experience of this service
We received mixed feedback about the care provided at Baylham Care Centre. Whilst some people’s relatives expressed satisfaction with the service, our inspection found people’s care did not meet the expected standards. Some relatives expressed concerns about their family member’s care; however, other relatives were more positive. Some relatives raised concerns about their family member’s safety, for example, with regard to staffing levels. One relative shared concern about the availability of staff telling us, “Everyone is very busy which has had the effect of [family member] often being reluctant tocall for any routine help.”
Communication, the culture and atmosphere within Baylham Care Centre was also raised as a concern by some people and relatives. One relative said. “It was a joyful place to be. I cannot say the same today...Gradually the staff turnover has accelerated meaning more and more agency staff. Baylham needs to care for the excellent carers they have now, or they too will leave.”
However, people and relatives did give positive feedback for most of the individual care staff, stating they were for the most part “kind” and “caring”.